THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. NESTLE INDIA LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The Delhi High Court held that no penalty can be levied if the expenses were debatable at the time of filing the return. The appeal was dismissed based on this principle.
What were the facts?
The appeal challenges an ITAT order concerning the deletion of penalty under Section 271(1)(c) for guest house expenses and the claim of interest income under Section 80HHC. The revenue conceded that the expenses were debatable when the return was filed.
What were the issues?
Whether penalty under Section 271(1)(c) can be levied for debatable expenses. The admissibility of interest income under Section 80HHC was also an issue.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
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- Malabar Industrial Co. Ltd. v. CIT2,943 citing243 ITR 83 · 2000 · SC · Read judgment
#3 $~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ ITA 1508/2010
THE COMMISSIONER OF
INCOME TAX (LTU)
..... Appellant Through: Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, , Advocate
versus
NESTLE INDIA LTD.
..... Respondent
Through: Mr. Ajay Vohra, Advocate with
Ms. Kavita Jha, Advocate.
Date of Decision: 01st October, 2010
CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN
Whether the Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment?
To be referred to the Reporter or not?
Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest?
MANMOHAN, J
CM No. 17302/2010 (exemption)
Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
Accordingly, the application stands disposed of. ITA 1508/2010 1. The present appeal has been filed under Section 260A of Income Tax Act, 1961 (for brevity, “Act”) challenging the order dated 06th November, 2009 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (in short “Tribunal”) in ITA No. 12/Del/2008, for the Assessment Year 1995- 1996. 2010:DHC:4935-DB
The issue involved in this appeal is with regard to deletion of penalty imposed by the Assessing Officer (in short, “AO”) under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act in respect of guest house expenses and the claim of the respondent-assessee for interest income from Fixed Deposit Receipts under Section 80HHC of the Act.
Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, learned counsel for the revenue fairly stated at the bar that the respondent-assessee had filed its return of income for the relevant assessment year much prior to the issuance being finally settled by this Court and the Supreme Court against the respondent-assessee.
Consequently, as the said expenses were debatable on the date the respondent-assessee filed its return, we are of the opinion that no penalty can be levied [see Malabar Industrial Co. Ltd. Vs. CIT (2000) 243 ITR 83 (SC)]. Accordingly, the present appeal is dismissed in limine.
MANMOHAN, J
CHIEF JUSTICE
OCTOBER 01, 2010 js 2010:DHC:4935-DB
More judgments on Section 271(1)(c)
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- Neo Structo Construction P. Ltd., Ahmedabad vs The Pr. CIT- 3, AhmedabadITA 1216/AHD/2026[2015-2016]Status: Disposed16 Oct 2026AY 2015-2016
- Hetal Vinodchandra Sheth, Ahmedabad vs The ITO, Ward-5(3)(1), AhmedabadITA 2370/AHD/2025[2014-15]Status: Disposed16 Oct 2026AY 2014-15
- Hetal Vinodchandra Sheth, Ahmedabad vs The ITO, Ward-5(3)(1), AhmedabadITA 2369/AHD/2025[2014-15]Status: Disposed16 Oct 2026AY 2014-15
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