THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. SHRI KAILASH SOWALCHAND JAIN
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court noted that the assessee had availed the benefit of the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, with orders passed on 21.1.2021. While acknowledging that an identical issue had been decided in favour of the Revenue in the case of CIT Vs. Manish D.Jain [HUF], the Court granted the assessee liberty to restore the appeal if the ultimate decision under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme was not in their favour. If such a prayer was made, the Registry was directed to entertain it without insisting on a delay condonation application. The Tax Case Appeal was disposed of with this liberty. The Court did not decide the substantial questions of law on merits due to the subsequent development regarding the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 20.11.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The ITAT's order pertained to assessment year 2013-14 and had set aside the Assessing Officer's (AO) order for re-examination. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law concerning the ITAT's decision to remit the issue back to the AO, particularly in light of the AO's alleged elaborate examination and the shifting of onus to the revenue. During the proceedings, the assessee informed the High Court that they had filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, and orders were passed on 21.1.2021.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in setting aside the order passed by the Assessing Officer for re-examination, especially when the Assessing Officer had duly examined the matter in extenso while passing the assessment order? (Question of law and fact, concerning the scope of re-examination by ITAT). 2. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in remitting the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer by quoting the decision in the case of Kanhaiyalal and Sons (HUF) in ITA No.1849/Chny/2014 wherein the onus has been shifted to the revenue with a direction that the Assessing Officer is to bring on record the role of the assessee in promoting the company and the relation of the assessee if any with that of the promoters and role of inflating of prices etc which exercise had already been done by the AO elaborately while framing the assessment? (Question of law and fact, concerning the ITAT's direction for re-examination and shifting of onus). 3. Is not the finding of the Tribunal perverse especially when the decision of the Tribunal is contrary to the time tested principle that the person who asserts a fact has to discharge the initial burden cast upon him to show that the said facts are true and only thereafter the burden would shift to the department? (Question of law, concerning perversity of findings and burden of proof). Assessee's contentions: The assessee had filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, and orders were passed on 21.1.2021. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the AO had already examined the matter in extenso and that the ITAT was wrong in setting aside the order for re-examination and shifting the onus to the revenue. They relied on the principle that the initial burden of proof lies with the party asserting a fact.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Heard together (2 matters)
Read from the judgment's own cause title. This page is filed under one of them.
TCA.No.185 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 01.4.2021 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.185 of 2020
The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri Kailash Sowalchand Jain ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 20.11.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'A' Bench, Chennai made in I.T.A.No.351/Chny/2019 for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant: Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman Judgment was delivered by
T.S.SIVAGNANAM
This appeal has been filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity) challenging the order 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.185 of 2020 dated 20.11.2019 made in I.T.A.No.351/Chny/2019 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench ('the Tribunal' for brevity) for the assessment year 2013-14. 2. The appeal was admitted on 23.7.2020 on the following substantial questions of law : ““i. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in setting aside the order passed by the Assessing Officer for re-examination, especially when the Assessing Officer had duly examined the matter in extenso while passing the assessment order ? ii. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in remitting the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer by quoting the decision in the case of Kanhaiyalal and Sons (HUF) in ITA No.1849/Chny/2014 wherein the onus has been shifted to the revenue with a direction that the Assessing Officer is to bring on record the role of the assessee in promoting the company and the relation of the assessee if any with that of the promoters and role of inflating of prices etc which exercise had already been done by the AO elaborately while framing the assessment ? and 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.185 of 2020 iii. Is not the finding of the Tribunal perverse especially when the decision of the Tribunal is contrary to the time tested principle that the person who asserts a fact has to discharge the initial burden cast upon him to show that the said facts are true and only thereafter the burden would shift to the department?” 3. We have heard Mrs.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 4. The learned counsel for the assessee submits that the assessee already filed the declaration/undertaking under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and orders were passed on 21.1.2021 in Form No.3. 5. It is not out of place to make a mention that an identical issue has been considered by a Division Bench of this Court, to which, one of us (TSSJ) was a party, in the decision in the case of CIT Vs. Manish D.Jain [HUF] [reported in (2020) 122 Taxmann.com 180] and the issue has been answered in favour of the Revenue. 6. However, in the light of the subsequent development that the respondent/assessee opted to avail the benefit of the said scheme, the assessee is given liberty to restore this appeal in the event the 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.185 of 2020 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J RS ultimate decision taken on the declaration filed by the assessee under Section 4 of the said Act is not in favour of the assessee. If such a prayer is made, the Registry shall entertain the prayer without insisting upon any application to be filed for condonation of delay in restoration of the appeal and on such request made by the assessee by filing a miscellaneous petition for restoration, the Registry shall place such petition before the appropriate Division Bench for orders. 7. The tax case appeal stands disposed of with the aforementioned liberty. No costs. 01.4.2021 To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'A' Bench, Chennai. TCA.No.185 of 2020 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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