PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. MANGAL TECH PARK PVT LTD

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TCA/201/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, in terms of CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 4, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated June 17, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'A' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2008-09 and challenges the ITAT's deletion of a penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act. The assessee is M/s. Mangal Tech Park Pvt. Ltd. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, in law and the facts of the case, the ITAT was correct in deleting the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) by holding that assessment and penalty proceedings are distinct and that the Assessing Officer (AO) did not conduct independent inquiries in the penalty proceedings, despite sworn statements from directors and provision of enquiry reports. The Revenue argued this order was perverse. (Question of law and fact) 2. Whether, in law and the facts of the case, the ITAT was justified in deleting the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) when the AO contended the assessee made a bogus claim for deduction under Section 35AC based on fabricated documents, which the assessee could not rebut, and the ITAT did not delete the addition but restored it for re-verification. The Revenue argued this order was perverse. (Question of law and fact) Revenue's Contention: The Revenue argued that the ITAT's order deleting the penalty was perverse, both on facts and in law, as evidence existed to show the assessee made a bogus claim for deduction under Section 35AC based on fabricated documents, and the assessee failed to rebut this. The Revenue relied on the AO's findings and the existence of sworn statements from directors and enquiry reports. The Revenue also submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record specific contentions made by the assessee's counsel regarding the merits of the penalty deletion.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 271(1)(c),Section 35AC

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.201 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 4, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. .. Appellant/Respondent -vs- M/s.Mangal Tech Park Pvt. Ltd., Spencer Plaza, No.769, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. PAN: AA3 CM 6101 F .. Respondent/Appellant Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 17.06.2016, on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.2084/Mds/2015 for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.N.V.Balaji ****** 1/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal by the appellant/Revenue filed under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 17.06.2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.2084/Mds/2015 for the assessment year 2008-09. 2.The above appeal was admitted, on 06.04.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, Tribunal was correct and justified in deleting the penalty levied u/s 271(1)(c) holding that assessment and penalty proceedings are different and AO has not conducted any enquiry in the penalty proceedings when evidence on record show that sworn statement was recorded from all the three directors of the assessee on 18.03.2014 and enquiry reports in respect of the transactions were provided to them and whether such order of ITAT is perverse both on facts and in law? (ii) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, ITAT was right and justified in deleting the penalty levied u/s 271(1)(c) notwithstanding AO's stand that assessee made a bogus claim of deduction u/s 35AC 2/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 on basis of fabricated documents, which could not be rebutted by the assessee and the ITAT also did not delete the addition on this account but only restored to AO for re- verification and further whether the order under reference has turned perverse both in law as well as on facts?” 3.Heard Mr.Karthik Ranganthan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Mr.N.V.Balaji, learned counsel for the respondent. 4. The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019, dated 08.08.2019 issued by the Central 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 this case is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the 3/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S., J.) (V.B.S., J.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai. 4/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.201 of 2017 29.08.2019 5/5 http://www.judis.nic.in

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