PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. KALPANA MEDICAL CENTER PVT

PDF · subscribers
TCA/397/2017HC Madras29 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 on the grounds of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was below the threshold limit of Rs.1 Crore for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the fixed threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The ITAT's order was not adjudicated on its merits.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, filed three appeals (T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 of 2017) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. These appeals challenged the common order dated 09.11.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'A' Bench, Chennai. The ITAT's order pertained to assessment years 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10, concerning M/s. Kalpana Medical Center Private Ltd. The appeals were admitted on substantial questions of law. The Revenue subsequently informed the Court that they did not wish to pursue these appeals due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether a sworn statement recorded during a survey under Section 133A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, can form the basis for additions in reassessment proceedings, particularly in light of Explanation 2(b) to Section 147 of the Act. 2. Whether the ITAT erred in holding that the reopening of assessments for the assessment years 2007-08 to 2009-10 was legally invalid, given that the reasons to believe income had escaped taxation were based on records found during a survey under Section 133A. The Revenue argued that the appeals were not being pursued due to a low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The assessee's contentions were not recorded as they did not argue the merits of the case.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 133A,Section 147

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 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 Nos.397 to 399 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, No.63, Race Course Road, Coimbatore-641 018. .. Appellant in all Appeals -vs- M/s.Kalpana Medical Center Private Ltd., 4/5-C, Kalpana Complex, Kavundampalayam, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore-641 030. PAN: AAC CK 7724 L .. Respondent in all Appeals Appeals under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the common order dated 09.11.2016, made in I.T.A.Nos.2847, 2848/Mds/2014 and 347/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.N.V.Balaji ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 of 2017 COMMON JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) These appeals filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income- tax Act, 1961 are directed against the common order dated 09.11.2016, made in I.T.A.Nos.2847, 2848/Mds/2014 and 347/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. 2.The appeals have been admitted on 01.08.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether the sworn statement recorded from the assessee during the course of survey action under Section 133A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 can be the basis for making additions in the re-assessment proceedings in the light of Explanation 2 (b) appended to Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961? and (ii) Whether the Appellate Tribunal erred in law in holding that the re-opening of assessment for the Assessment years 2007-08 to 2009-10 were bad in law when the reason to believe that there was escapement of income chargeable to tax in the years in question was based on records found in the course of survey action under Section 133A of the Income Tax Act, 1961?” 3.Heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 of 2017 by Ms.K.G.Usharani, 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 appeals are 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 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 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.) 29.08.2019 abr T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 of 2017 V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Kalpana Medical Center Private Ltd., 4/5-C, Kalpana Complex, Kavundampalayam, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore-641 030. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.Nos.397 to 399 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

More judgments on Section 133A

All 5,893 judgments and leading authorities on Section 133A →

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →