SHAJI PULIKALLUMPURAM VARUGHESE vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

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WP(C)/16040/2022HC KeralaKLHC01032155202217 May 2022Bench: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A.4 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court directed the 2nd respondent (Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)) to consider and pass orders on the stay petitions (Ext.P3 series) within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. Until a decision is taken on the stay petitions, all coercive proceedings against the petitioner were ordered to be kept in abeyance. The writ petition was disposed of with this direction. The court did not decide on the merits of the assessment orders or the stay petitions themselves, but rather on the procedural aspect of their timely consideration.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Shaji Pulikallumpuram Varughese, operating as Memana Chits and Financiers, challenged assessment orders for assessment years 2014-2015 to 2019-2020. Aggrieved by these orders (Ext.P1 series), the petitioner filed appeals before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (2nd respondent) and also filed stay petitions (Ext.P3 series) to halt recovery proceedings. The petitioner apprehended coercive action before the stay petitions could be considered, leading to the filing of this writ petition before the High Court of Kerala.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a direction for the expeditious disposal of stay petitions pending before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner argued that coercive proceedings were being apprehended before the stay petitions could be considered by the 2nd respondent, necessitating intervention by the High Court. Revenue's Contention: The judgment records no specific contentions from the respondents regarding the petitioner's arguments or the merits of the case. The court considered submissions from both counsel.

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

W.P.C.No.16040/2022 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A. TUESDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF MAY 2022 / 27TH VAISAKHA, 1944 WP(C) NO. 16040 OF 2022 PETITIONER: SHAJI PULIKALLUMPURAM VARUGHESE, MEMANA CHITS AND FINANCIERS, MEMANA PLAZA, T.K.ROAD, PULLAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA-689 548. BY ADVS. ANIL D. NAIR TELMA RAJU EDATHARA VINEETA KRISHNAN RESPONDENTS: 1 ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CIRCLE CENTRAL, KOTTAYAM, KERALA-686 001. 2 COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS), NATIONAL FACELESS ASSESSMENT CENTRE, NEW DELHI-110 001. 3 THE TAX RECOVERY OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE TAX RECOVERY OFFICE, KANDANKULATHY TOWERS, ERNAKULAM, KERALA-682 011. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.05.2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

W.P.C.No.16040/2022 2 JUDGMENT Aggrieved by Ext.P1 series of orders of assessment relating to assessment years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 petitioner has preferred appeals before the 2nd respondent, copy of which are produced as Ext.P2 series. Petitions for stay of proceedings pursuant to the assessment orders have also been filed as Ext.P3 series. Petitioner apprehends coercive proceedings to be effected even before the petition for stay is considered. Hence this writ petition. 2. Having considered the submissions of the counsel for the petitioner as well as the respondents, I am of the opinion that this writ petition itself can be disposed of with a direction. 3. Accordingly, there will be a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series of stay petitions, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Till such a decision is taken, all coercive proceedings against the petitioner shall be kept in abeyance. The writ petition is disposed of as above. Sd/- ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A. JUDGE DG/17.5.22

W.P.C.No.16040/2022 3 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 16040/2022 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2014-15. Exhibit P1(a) TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2015-16. Exhibit P1(b) TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2016-17. Exhibit P(c) TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2017-18. Exhibit P(d) TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2018-19. Exhibit P(e) TRUE COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2019-20. Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2014-15. Exhibit P2(a) TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2015-16. Exhibit P(b) TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2016-17. Exhibit P2(c) TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2017-18 Exhibit P2(d) TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2018-19. Exhibit P2(e) TRUE COPY OF THE STATUTORY APPEAL BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2019-20. Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2014-15.

W.P.C.No.16040/2022 4 Exhibit P3(a) TRUE COPY OF STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2015-16. Exhibit P3(b) TRUE COPY OF STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2016-17. Exhibit P3(c) TRUE COPY OF STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y.2017-18. Exhibit P3(d) TRUE COPY OF STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2018-19 Exhibit P3(e) TRUE COPY OF STAY PETITION BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE A.Y. 2019-20. Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF LETTER OF DEMAND OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER. Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT. Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE EMAIL DATED 10.05.2022 SENT BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER.

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