DCIT (TDS) 2(1), MUMBAI vs. RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS INFRASRUCTURE LTD, NAVI MUMBAI

आदेश / O R D E R PER AMIT SHUKLA (JM):

Identical issues are involved in both these appeals and hence, they are taken up together and disposed of by this common order.

“2. During the course of hearing, at the outset, we noticed that in case of the assessee, the matter is pending before the Insolvency Professional in terms of The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“the Code”) and moratorium period has been declared as per section 14 of the Code. We further noticed that a Petition was filed by the State Bank of India against the assessee i.e., Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd. (“Corporate Debtor‟), before the Hon‟ble National Company Law Tribunal („Hon’ble NCLT‟), Mumbai Bench, in terms of section 7 of the Code r/w rules and regulations framed therein. The said Petition was admitted by the Hon‟ble NCLT, and Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process („CIRP‟) of the Corporate Debtor was ordered to be commenced vide order dated 25/09/2019, passed by the Hon‟ble NCLT. The Hon’ble NCLT appointed Interim Resolution Professional for the Corporate Debtor vide aforesaid order. The Hon’ble NCLT declared moratorium period under section 14 of the Code w.e.f. 25/09/2019.

3. During the course of hearing, the learned Authorised Representative (“learned A.R.‟) appearing for the assessee submitted that in view of the CRIP and consequent moratorium being imposed on the continuation of pending Suit or proceedings, in respect of the assessee company, the present cross appeals be adjourned for a longer date. In support of its submissions, the learned A.R. placed reliance upon the decision of the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court in SREI Equipment Finance Limited v/s Additional/Joint/Deputy/Assistant CIT And Others in Writ Petition no.1839 of 2022, judgment dated 10/05/2022.

5. The learned A.R. has placed reliance on the decision of the Hon‟ble Calcutta High Court in SREI Equipment Finance Limited (supra). We find that the issue before the Hon‟ble Court, in aforesaid decision, was as under:–

“5. On going through the impugned order we find that the issue as to whether the proceedings had to be kept in abeyance by the assessing officer in the light of the insolvency proceedings which were pending and the effect of Section 14 of the Code have not been dealt with though that was the core issue which was canvassed in the writ petition...”

“7. At this juncture, it would be important to note the decision the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Alchemist Asset Reconstruction Company (supra). wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court had pointed out that the mandate of the new insolvency Code is that the moment an insolvency petition is admitted, the moratorium that comes into effect under Section 14(1)(a) expressly interdicts institution or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against corporate debtors. This legal principle should have been borne in mind by the assessing officer before he proceeded to pass the assessment order. Therefore, we are of the clear view that the assessment order dated 30th March, 2022 has to be set aside and the matter has to be restored to the file of the assessing officer and the matter shall be kept in abeyance till the completion of the insolvency resolution proceedings.”

Thus, in the aforesaid decision, Hon’ble Calcutta High Court dealt with the assessment proceedings and not appeals as in the present case, therefore, aforesaid decision is factually distinguishable. We are of the view that in case of assessment proceedings, the only option available with the Assessing Officer is to keep the proceedings in abeyance during the continuation of moratorium period as per section 14 of the Code and there is no option to quash the same in totality. Since, if the assessment proceeding is dropped then same cannot be revived upon completion of the moratorium period and only remedy available with the Assessing Officer will be under the provisions of section 154/147/263 of the Act, provided the jurisdictional conditions as laid down in the said sections are satisfied. Insofar as filing/continuation of appeal under the provisions of the Act, during the continuation of moratorium period is concerned, we find that Hon’ble Delhi High Court in PCIT v/s Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd., [2018] 304 CTR 234 (Del.), observed as under:– “2. It appears to the Court that Section 238 of the Code is categorical that the Code will apply, notwithstanding anything Inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force. Section 14(1)(a) of the Code states, inter alia, that on the Insolvency commencement date the Adjudicating Authority (AA) shall by order declare moratorium for prohibiting "the institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against the corporate debtor including execution of any judgment, decree or order in any court of law, tribunal, arbitration panel or other authority." That the Code will prevail over all other statutes inconsistent therewith has been explained in the recent decision dated 31 August, 2017 of the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 8337- 8338/2017 (Innoventive Industries Ltd. v. ICICI Bank).

3. In the instant case, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) [which by virtue of Section 5(1) of the Code is the AA] has by its order dated 18th July 2017 admitted the petition under Section 7 of the Code filed by the State Bank of India against the Respondent Assessee and prohibited, inter alia, "the institution of suits or continuation of pending suits or proceedings against the Respondent. This would include the present appeal by the Income Tax Department ('Department) against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in respect of the tax liability of the Respondent–Assessee.

4. Mr. Asheesh Jain, learned Senior Standing counsel for the Revenue, points out that unlike some of the earlier insolvency statutes the Code does not envisage permission being sought from the NCLT for continuation of the continuation of pending proceedings against the Respondent in other fora. In the order dated 18July 2017 is clear that the moratorium continues "till the completion of the corporate insolvency resolution process or until this Bench approves the resolution plan under sub-Section (1) of Section 31 or passes an order for liquidation of corporate debtor under Section 33, as the case may be.

5. Consequently, these appeals are disposed of with liberty to the Appellant Department to revive them subject to the further orders of the NCLT.”

4. Hence respectfully following the aforesaid decision, we hold that the present appeals of the revenue are not maintainable in the present format and hence dismissed with a liberty that upon completion of the moratorium period, the revenue , if it so desires, may seek recall of this order by impleading directors from the new management of the assessee company or the official liquidator, as the case may be, in which event, these appeals shall get restored. 3.

Order pronounced on 17/08/2022 by way of proper mentioning in the notice board.