PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. SHRI T.R.PACHAMUTHU

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TCA/324/2018HC Madras15 December 2020Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal on the ground of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the Revenue was not pursuing the appeal because the tax effect was below the increased monetary limit of Rs. 1 Crore for appeals to the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to file a petition for restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The Tribunal's order was not adjudicated on merits.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central-1, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 28.10.2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2001-02 and concerns the respondent, Shri T.R. Pachamuthu. The High Court admitted the appeal on three substantial questions of law. However, the Revenue subsequently stated that it was not pursuing the appeal due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT was right in granting relief when the assessee provided three different explanations at different times without documentary proof (bills and vouchers)? This question concerns the adequacy of evidence to support the assessee's claims. 2. Whether the assessee rebutted the presumption under Section 132(4A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, with regard to seized material, thus negating any cause for addition to his income? This issue relates to the burden of proof and the effect of evidence seized during a search. 3. Whether the assessee discharged the onus and burden of proof to establish that funds withdrawn at different times were solely for the construction activity of a society, thereby precluding any addition to his income? This question focuses on the assessee's obligation to prove the application of funds for a specific purpose. The Revenue argued that the assessee failed to provide proof and rebut presumptions. The judgment does not record arguments from the assessee on these specific issues, but the questions themselves reflect the Revenue's contentions.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 132(4A)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.324 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 15.12.2020 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.324 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Central-1, Chennai ...Appellant Vs Shri T.R.Pachamuthu ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 28.10.2013 made in ITA.No.989/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2001-02. For Appellant: Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC & Ms.K.G.Usharani, JSC For Respondent: Mr.N.Devanathan Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel and Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Junior Standing Counsel 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.324 of 2018 appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.N.Devanathan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent. 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 28.10.2013 made in ITA.No.989/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the assessment year 2001-02. 3. The appeal has been admitted on 06.12.2019 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether the ITAT was right in granting the relief when the assessee had given three different explanations at three different times without any proof of its claim by producing bills and vouchers? ii. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, has the assessee rebutted the presumption u/s. 132(4A) with regard to the seized material such that there is no cause for addition in his hands? and iii. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the assessee has discharged onus as well as burden of proof in establishing that the funds withdrawn at different points of time were only for 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.324 of 2018 construction activity of the society such that there is no case for addition in his hands ?” 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 08.8.2019 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 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 Revenue to file a petition before this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. 15.12.2020 To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. RS 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.324 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.324 of 2018 15.12.2020 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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