PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S C.S.GARMENTS

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TCA/528/2018HC Madras28 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. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeals were not being pursued due to 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. The Court noted that the tax effect in these cases was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed on this ground. The substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were expressly left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals 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 3, Coimbatore, filed two appeals (TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against a common order dated 27.12.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeals pertained to assessment year 2013-14 and challenged the ITAT's decision to restrict additions made by the Assessing Officer (AO) concerning sundry creditors and cash purchases. The ITAT had restricted an addition to Rs.90,05,450/- instead of Rs.1,40,06,450/- made by the AO. The appeals were admitted on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide four substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT was justified in restricting the addition to Rs.90,05,450/- as against Rs.1,40,06,450/- made by the AO, without considering that the sundry creditors claimed in the books of accounts were bogus? 2. Whether the ITAT was justified in restricting the addition to Rs.90,05,450/- without considering that statements recorded under Section 131 of the Income Tax Act from sundry creditors proved them to be bogus? 3. Whether the ITAT was justified in deleting the addition without considering that cash purchases were made in violation of Section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act? 4. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that the AO made a casual reference about Section 40A(3) regarding the use of cash for raw material purchases in the grey market, when purchases were admittedly made in the grey market and preponderance of probability indicated cash purchases? The Revenue contended that the sundry creditors were bogus and that cash purchases violated Section 40A(3). The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded, but the ITAT's order implies they argued against the additions made by the AO.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 131,Section 40A(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 3, No.63, Race Course Road, Coimbatore. ...Appellant Vs M/s.C.S.Garments, 42, Karumarampalayam, Mannarai, Tirupur - 641 607. PAN: AACFC0719J ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 27.12.2017 made in ITA.No.51 and 299/Mds/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman 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.Sivaraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 27.12.2017 made in ITA.No.51 and 299/Mds/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2013-14. 3.The appeals were admitted on 06.08.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : “1 Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is justified in restricting the addition to Rs.90,05,450/- as against Rs.1,40,06,450/- made by the Assessing Officer without considering the fact that the sundry creditors claimed in the books of accounts is bogus ? 2. Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is justified in restricting the addition to Rs.90,05,450/- without considering that during the course of scrutiny proceedings, the Assessing Officer recorded statements under Section 131 of the Income Tax Act from the sundry creditors and it was proved that the creditors were bogus ? 3. Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is justified in deleting the addition without considering the fact that the cash purchases were made by violating the provisions under Section 40A(3) of the Income Tax Act ? and 4. Whether Tribunal is correct in holding that the Assessing Officer made casual reference about Section 40A(3) of the Act regarding the use of cash for purchase of raw material in the grey market whereas the purchases are admittedly by the assessee made in the grey market and preponderance of probability clearly indicates that the purchases are made in cash ?” 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 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.) 28.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.C.S.Garments, 42, Karumarampalayam, Mannarai, Tirupur - 641 607. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.528 and 529 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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