PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. S.F.V. SELVARAJ

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TCA/161/2018HC Madras28 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission made by the Revenue's counsel regarding the low tax effect in the respective cases, which fell below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed by the Revenue were left open and not decided on merits. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing them to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were imposed. The connected miscellaneous petitions were also closed.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, identified as the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central II, Chennai, filed six appeals (TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. These appeals challenged a common order dated July 15, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The ITAT's order pertained to assessment years 2006-07 to 2011-12. The appeals were filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The respondent in these appeals is Dr. S.F.V. Selvaraj. The procedural history involves the Revenue filing these appeals against the ITAT's decision which had apparently cancelled penalties levied under Section 271(1)(c) and discussed the applicability of Section 271AAA.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal was asked to decide three substantial questions of law. The first question was whether the ITAT's finding cancelling the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) was perverse, and if it erred in holding that a penalty under Section 271AAA ought to have been levied, contrary to Explanation (b) to Section 271AAA. The second question was whether the ITAT correctly held that penalty under Section 271AAA was leviable, given that subsection (1) specifies levy for a 'Specified Previous Year', and the cases before the Tribunal were not such specified years. The third question was whether the ITAT was right in cancelling the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) without considering Explanation 5A to Section 271(1)(c), which applies to search cases. The Revenue's contentions, as presented by its counsel, were that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for High Court appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in these cases was stated to be below this threshold. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee's side regarding the merits of the ITAT's order.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 271(1)(c),Section 271AAA

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated :28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 and C.M.P.Nos.2171 to 2175 of 2018 in T.C.A.Nos.162 to 166 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central II, No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 600 034. ...Appellant Vs Dr.S.F.V.Selvaraj ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 15.07.2016 made in ITA.Nos.671 to 676/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2006-07 to 2011-12. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 15.07.2016 made in ITA.Nos.671 to 676/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2006-07 to 2011-12. 3.The appeals have been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Is not the findings of the Appellate Tribunal perverse in cancelling the penalty levied under Section 271[1][c] and held that Penalty under Section 271AAA ought to have been levied which against Explanation [b] to Section 271AAA of the Income Tax Act? 2.Whether the Appellate Tribunal is correct in holding that penalty under Section 271AAA is leviable, when sub- section [1] provides for such levy penalty only to a "Specified Previous Year" and the cases before the Tribunal were not such "Specified Previous Year/s? 3.Whether the Appellate Tribunal is right in canceling the penalty levied under Section 271[1][c] without considering Explanation 5A to Section 271[1][c], which are applicable to only search cases?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in the respective cases is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeals are dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in the respective cases is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 [1/2] cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.161 to 166 of 2018 and C.M.P.Nos.2171 to 2175 of 2018 in T.C.A.Nos.162 to 166 of 2018 28.08.2019 [1/2] 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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