COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.RM.K.VISWANATHA PILLAI &

TCA.Nos.253-256/2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.253 to 256 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle, Chennai-34. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Rm.K.Viswanatha Pillai & Sons, Tirunelveli-627003. ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 05.2.2015 made in ITA.Nos.1065 to 1067 and 1093/ Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench respectively for the assessment years 2003-04 to 2005-06 and 2003-04. For Appellant: Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, SC For Respondent: Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyer Padmanabhan 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 Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan, learned counsel appearing 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.253-256/2016 for the respondent – assessee. 2. These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 05.2.2015 made in ITA.Nos.1065 to 1067 and 1093/ Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench respectively for the assessment years 2003-04 to 2005-06 and 2003-04. 3. The appeals were admitted on 20.4.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in quashing the assessment made under Section 153A, as there are no seized materials to make fresh assessments ? (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal is correct in not appreciating that the new search assessment procedure under Section 153A of the Act wherein the 'total income' is to be determined whereas in the old search assessment procedure, the 'undisclosed income' is to be determined ? and (iii) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is correct in holding that any assessment under Section 153A can be done only based on incriminating material ignoring the 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.253-256/2016 non-obstante clause which excludes reopening under Section 147 ?” 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 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. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.)

30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.253-256/2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.Nos.253 to 256 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in