M/S SURAJPUR TEMPO TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION vs. UNION OF INDIA AND 2 OTHERS
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court quashed and set aside the impugned order dated December 3, 2024. The Court found that the writ petition and its annexures clearly indicated that sufficient cause was shown for the delay in filing the Income Tax Return. Consequently, the Court directed that the application for condonation of delay be allowed. The petitioner was granted two weeks from the date of the order to file its income tax return. The principle derived is that if sufficient cause for delay is demonstrated, the authority under Section 119(2)(b) should exercise leniency in condoning the delay, and failure to do so can lead to the quashing of the order.
What were the facts?
The petitioner, M/s Surajpur Tempo Transport Association, filed a writ petition challenging an order dated December 3, 2024, passed by respondent No. 3 under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This order disallowed the condonation of delay for filing the Income Tax Return (ITR) for the assessment year 2023-2024. The petitioner sought to quash this order and sought a direction to allow them to file the ITR. The High Court perused the writ petition and annexures, noting that sufficient cause was shown for the delay and that the concerned officer should have been lenient.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the order dated December 3, 2024, passed by respondent No. 3 under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, disallowing condonation of delay for filing the Income Tax Return for assessment year 2023-2024, was arbitrary and harsh, failing to consider all narrated facts regarding the delay? (Question of law and fact, turning on Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961). Assessee's Contention: The impugned order is extremely harsh and was passed without considering all the facts narrated by the petitioner concerning the delay. Revenue's Contention: No specific contentions from the revenue are recorded in the judgment.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Neutral Citation No. - 2025:AHC:144417-DB Court No. - 3 Case :- WRIT TAX No. - 3373 of 2025 Petitioner :- M/S Surajpur Tempo Transport Association Respondent :- Union Of India And 2 Others Counsel for Petitioner :- Pooja Talwar Counsel for Respondent :- A.S.G.I.,Anoop Tiwari,Gaurav Mahajan,Shalini Goel Hon'ble Shekhar B. Saraf,J. Hon'ble Praveen Kumar Giri,J. 1. Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Mr. Anoop Tiwari, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Union of India and learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Nos.2 and 3. 2. This is a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India wherein the writ petitioner has prayed for the following relief:- "(i) Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Certiorari quashing the impugned order dated 03.12.2024 passed by respondent no.3 under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the assessment year 2023 to 2024 (Annexure No.1 to the present writ petition); (ii) Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent no.2 and 3 to allow the petitioner to file the ITR for the assessment year 2023-2024; ..." 3. Ms. Pooja Talwar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that the impugned order dated December 3, 2024 passed by the respondent No.3 under Section 119(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is an extremely harsh order wherein the condonation of delay has been disallowed without taking into consideration all the facts that have been narrated by the petitioner with regard to the delay. 4. We have perused the writ petition and the annexures that clearly indicate that sufficient cause was shown and the officer concerned should have been lenient with regard to condonation of delay application.
In light of the above, we quash and set-aside the impugned order dated December 3, 2024 and allow the application for condonation of delay. The petitioner is directed to file its income tax return within a period of two weeks from date. 6. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. Order Date :- 21.8.2025 Rakesh (Praveen Kumar Giri J.) (Shekhar B. Saraf, J.) Digitally signed by :- RAKESH MEHTA High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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