PRATEEK MADHAN vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 53(3), NEW DELHI & ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The Delhi High Court allowed the petition. Regarding the first grievance, the Court noted that the Revenue had handed over copies of letters sent to various banks to release the attachment of bank accounts, which were effected under Section 226(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Court stated that no further directions were required for this issue and the petitioner was at liberty to pursue the matter with his bankers. For the second grievance, concerning the appeal effect and refund, the Court directed the concerned respondent to pass appropriate orders to give full effect to the orders dated 23.12.2022 (for AY 2017-18) and 12.05.2023 (for AY 2011-12) passed by the CIT(A), including the grant of refund along with interest, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within four weeks. The Court did not leave any issue undecided.
What were the facts?
The petitioner, Prateek Madhan, filed a writ petition before the Delhi High Court seeking a mandamus to release his seized bank accounts and to direct the respondents to pass appeal effect orders and grant consequential refunds with interest. The petitioner had succeeded in appellate proceedings before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) for Assessment Year (AY) 2017-18 (order dated 23.12.2022) and AY 2011-12 (order dated 12.05.2023). The bank accounts were attached under Section 226(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue did not contest the petitioner's claims.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to release his bank accounts seized under Section 226(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, notwithstanding his success in appellate proceedings. 2. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to pass appeal effect orders for AY 2017-18 and AY 2011-12, and grant consequential refunds along with applicable interest under Sections 244, 244A(1), and 244A(1A) read with Section 240 of the Act. Assessee's Contentions: The petitioner contended that his bank accounts should be released as he had succeeded in his appeals before the CIT(A). He also argued that he was entitled to refunds with interest as per the appellate orders. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue did not contest the petitioner's entitlement to the prayers sought. They submitted letters to various banks for the release of attachment of bank accounts.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
Section 226(3),Section 240,Section 244,Section 244A(1),Section 244A(1A)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
$~33 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 15497/2024
PRATEEK MADHAN
.....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Vivek Bansal, Advocate
versus
THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 53(3), NEW DELHI & ORS.
.....Respondents Through: Mr. Indruj Singh Rai, SSC with Mr. Sanjeev Menon, Mr. Rahul Singh, JSC and Mr. Anmol Jagga, Advocate for Revenue
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA
O R D E R %
05.12.2024 1. The petitioner has filed the present petition inter alia praying as under:- “a) issue a writ of and/or order and/or directions in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to release the Bank Accounts of the Petitioner seized by Respondent no. 1; b) issue a writ of and/or order and/or directions in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to pass the requisite appeal effect orders and grant of consequential refund along with up-to-date applicable interest under section 244, 244A(1) and 244A(1A) r.w.s 240 of the Act and ; c) pass such other order or orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”
As is apparent from the above, the petitioner has raised two This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/12/2024 at 13:02:07
grievances: first that the bank account continues to be frozen notwithstanding that the petitioner has succeeded in the appellate proceedings; and second that the petitioner is entitled to refund along with interest consequent to succeeding in his appeals before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), NFAC, Delhi. 3. Learned counsel for the Revenue does not contest the petitioner’s entitlement to the prayers as sought. He has handed over copies of letters sent to various banks to release the attachment of bank accounts, which were effected under Section 226(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Copies of those letters have also been handed over to learned counsel for the petitioner. 4. In view of the above, no further directions are required to be issued to the respondent with respect to the petitioner’s first grievance. 5. Needless to state that concerned banks are required to implement the communications sent by Income Tax Department and the petitioner is at liberty to pursue the matter with his bankers. 6. In so far as the petitioner’s grievance against the Revenue is concerned, the same stands addressed. 7. In so far as the petitioner’s prayer that an order be passed to give appeal effect to the order dated 23.12.2022 for A.Y. 2017-18 and order dated 12.05.2023 for A.Y. 2011-12 passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) along with interest, is concerned; the concerned respondent shall pass appropriate orders to give full effect to the orders dated 23.12.2022 and 12.05.2023 passed by the CIT(A) for the A.Y. 2017-18 and A.Y. 2011-12 including grant of refund along with the interest, in accordance with law. The same be done as expeditiously as possible, and preferably within a period of four weeks. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/12/2024 at 13:02:07
The petition is allowed in the aforesaid terms.
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J DECEMBER 05, 2024/ms
Click here to check corrigendum, if any This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/12/2024 at 13:02:07
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