PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. SOUTH INDIA CORPORATION LTD

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TCA/848/2016HC Madras14 June 2022Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice R. MAHADEVAN5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court disposed of the Tax Case Appeal in view of the subsequent development where the assessee had availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. The assessee had filed necessary declarations, which were accepted, and a Form 5 order for full and final settlement of tax arrears was issued on December 7, 2021. Both the learned counsel for the assessee and the learned standing counsel for the Revenue fairly conceded to this subsequent development. Consequently, the Court was of the opinion that nothing further survived for adjudication in the appeal. The appeal was disposed of without any costs. The specific findings on the substantial questions of law framed earlier were not adjudicated upon due to the settlement under the Vivad Se Vishwas Act.

What were the facts?

The appeal was filed by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Revenue) against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dated February 17, 2016, concerning assessment year 2009-10. The ITAT's order was challenged on two substantial questions of law. During the pendency of the appeal before the High Court, the assessee, M/s. South India Corporation Ltd., availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. The assessee filed necessary declarations, which were accepted, and a Form 5 order for full and final settlement of tax arrears was issued by the Income Tax Department on December 7, 2021. This subsequent development was conceded by both the assessee and the Revenue.

What were the issues?

The High Court had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was correct in remitting the issue of disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act to the Assessing Officer for re-computation in a manner not in consonance with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules, 1962. 2. Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct in deleting the addition of Rs. 7,65,74,554/- made by the Assessing Officer under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, without appreciating that there was no business expediency in advancing to/investing in debentures of M/s. Chettinad International Coal Terminal Pvt. Ltd., and the expenditure was not incurred wholly and exclusively for business purposes. Assessee's contention: The assessee submitted that it had availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, and obtained a final settlement order. The Revenue conceded this submission. Revenue's contention: The Revenue did not present any arguments on the merits of the case as the appeal was disposed of due to the Vivad Se Vishwas settlement.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 14A,Section 37,Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 14.06.2022 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Central - I No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai 600 034.

... Appellant Versus M/s. South India Corporation Ltd., No.603, Rani Seethai Hall, Anna Salai, Chennai. PAN:AAD CS 3193 C

... Respondent

Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the common order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Cochin Bench, dated 17.02.2016 in I.TA.No.230/COCHIN/2015. For Appellant : Mr.J.Narayanasamy Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriram Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 for Mr.S.Sridhar JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by R.MAHADEVAN, J.) This tax case appeal has been filed by the appellant / Revenue, challenging the common order dated 17.02.2016 passed by the Income Tax

Appellate

Tribunal,

Cochin

Bench,

Chennai,

in I.T.A.No.230/COCHIN/2015, relating to the assessment year 2009 - 10. 2. By order dated 25.01.2017, this court admitted the aforesaid tax case appeal on the following substantial questions of law: “(i) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Appellate Tribunal was correct in remitting the issue of disallowance under section 14A of the Income Tax Act to the file of the Assessing Officer with the directions to re-compute the same in a specific manner which is not in consonance with the provisions contained in Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules, 1962? (ii) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 correct in deleting the addition of Rs.7,65,74,554/- made by the Assessing Officer under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act without appreciating the fact that there exists no business expediency in advancing to/ investing in Debentures of M/s.Chettinad International Coal Terminal Pvt. Ltd. and the expenditure was incurred not wholly and exclusively for the purpose of business?" 3.When the matter was taken up for consideration, the learned counsel appearing for the respondent / assessee submitted that during the pendency of this tax case appeal, the assessee has availed the benefit conferred under the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 and filed necessary declarations, which were accepted and Form 5 / order for full and final settlement of tax arrears, was also issued by the Income tax department, on 07.12.2021. The learned counsel has also filed Form 5 dated 07.12.2021 to that effect. 4.The aforesaid submission made by the learned counsel for the respondent/assessee has also been fairly conceded by the learned standing counsel appearing for the appellant/ Revenue. Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 5.In view of the subsequent development, this court is of the opinion that nothing survives for adjudication in this appeal. Recording the submission so made by the learned counsel on either side, the Tax Case Appeal stands disposed of. No costs. (R.M.D., J.) (M.S.Q., J.) 14.06.2022

Internet : Yes

Index : Yes / No av To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Cochin Bench, Chennai, 2. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Central - I No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai 600 034. 3. The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Central Circle 3(2), Chennai. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 R. MAHADEVAN, J. and MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. av T.C.A.No.848 of 2016 14.06.2022 (1/2) Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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