N.EASWARAN vs. THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court noted that the assessee had filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, and Form No. 3 was issued on 23.12.2020. In light of this subsequent event, the Court granted the assessee liberty to restore the appeal if the ultimate decision on their declaration under the scheme is not in their favour. If such a prayer is made, the Registry is directed to entertain it without insisting on a condonation of delay application. The substantial questions of law framed were left open. The appeal was disposed of with the aforementioned liberty, and no costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The assessee, N. Easwaran, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 28.12.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2013-14. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law on 31.08.2018. During the pendency of the appeal, the assessee filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, and Form No. 3 was issued on 23.12.2020. The High Court heard arguments from both the assessee and the Revenue.
What were the issues?
The High Court was to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in not following the binding judgment of the jurisdictional Madras High Court in CIT vs. S. Khader Khan Son, affirmed by the Supreme Court, and instead relying on judgments of other High Courts, contrary to judicial propriety and discipline? 2. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in acting on the retracted confessional statement of the appellant, uncorroborated by tangible material, which has no evidentiary value and is also against CBDT instructions? 3. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in modifying the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) by fixing income with reference to comparable cases and substantially resorting to the assessing officer's order adopting an exaggerated rate of profit? The assessee argued that they had filed a declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the Revenue on the substantial questions of law, other than their appearance through counsel.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.503 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15.03.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.503 of 2018 N.Easwaran ...Appellant Vs The Commissioner of Income Tax, Coimbatore. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 28.12.2017 made in ITA.No.2154/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench, for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant: Mr.R.Kumar For Respondent: Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar Senior Standing Counsel JUDGMENT (Delivered by
T.S.Sivagnanam,J
) This appeal has been filed by the assessee under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity) challenging the order dated 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.503 of 2018 28.12.2017 made in ITA.No.2154/Mds/2016 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 31.08.2018 on the following substantial questions of law: "1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal is right in law in not following the binding judgment of the jurisdictional Madras High Court in CIT vs. S.Khader Khan Son [(2008) 300 ITR 157 (Mad)] affirmed by the Supreme Court by order in CIT vs. S.Khader Khan Son [(2013) 352 ITR 480 (SC)] and relying on judgments of other High Courts in a manner contrary to judicial propriety and discipline? 2. Whether the Appellate Tribunal is right in law in acting on the retracted confessional statement of the appellant, uncorroborated by tangible material, which has no evidentiary value and is also against the CBDT instructions on the subject? 3. Whether the Appellate Tribunal is right in law in modifying the fair and reasoned order of the 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.503 of 2018 Commissioner (Appeals) fixing the income with reference to comparable cases and resorting substantially the assessing officers order adopting the exaggerated rate of profit?" 3. We have heard Mr.R.Kumar, learned counsel for the appellant- assessee and Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent-Revenue. 4. The learned counsel for the appellant-assessee submits that the assessee already filed the declaration/undertaking under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme and Form No.3 was issued on 23.12.2020. 5. In the light of the subsequent event, the assessee is given liberty to restore this appeal in the event the 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. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.503 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk 6. The tax case appeal stands disposed of with the aforementioned liberty. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed are left open. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 15.03.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking Judgment/Non speaking Judgment hvk To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'A' Bench, Chennai. 2. The Commissioner of Income Tax, Coimbatore. TCA.No.503 of 2018 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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