FOREST GUARDIAN CHARITABLE TRUST,SATNA vs. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX EXEMPTION, BHOPAL
Facts
The assessee's application for registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was rejected by the CIT(E) due to perceived incomplete submissions and discrepancies regarding the trust's date of establishment versus its operational claims. The assessee filed an appeal, which was delayed by 68 days due to the serious illness of the father of its authorized representative.
Held
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal condoned the delay in filing the appeal, acknowledging the medical emergency as sufficient cause under Section 253(5) of the Act. The Tribunal remitted the case back to the CIT(E) for fresh adjudication, directing the assessee to provide complete submissions to all queries.
Key Issues
The key issues were the validity of the CIT(E)'s rejection of the Section 12AB registration application and whether the 68-day delay in filing the appeal should be condoned.
Sections Cited
12AB, 253(5)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, INDORE BENCH, INDORE
Before: SHRI TR SENTHIL KUMAR & SHRI B.M. BIYANI
आदेश / O R D E R
Per B.M. Biyani, A.M.:
Feeling aggrieved by order dated 25.07.2023 passed by learned Commissioner of Income-Tax (Exemption), Bhopal [“CIT(E)”] by which the assessee’s application for grant of registration u/s 12AB of Income-tax Act, 1961 has been rejected, the assessee has filed this appeal on following grounds: “1. Because, the impugned order dated 25.07.2023 passed by the Ld. CIT- Exemption rejecting application filed by the Assessee-Appellant in Form 10AB
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for registration u/s 12AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is perverse and bad in law. 2. Because, the Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in not appreciating that the Appellant-Trust was came in existence on 04.05.2022 and was not required to get accounts audited for earlier assessment years. 3. Because, the Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in appluying Rule 17A(2)(g) of the Income-tax Act, 1962 as applicant-trust was only came into existence during AY 2023-23.” 2. Although the revenue/respondent has submitted an application
seeking adjournment of hearing on the ground that the assessee has filed
paper-book only one day before, yet at the time of hearing Ld. DR
representing revenue agreed to make submissions and consented to proceed
in the matter. Accordingly, the case is heard.
The registry has informed that the present appeal is delayed by 68
days and therefore time-barred. Ld. AR for assessee/appellant submitted
that the assessee is a charitable trust and Shri Vinay Goel, the office
bearer/authorized representative of assessee has filed an application for
condonation of delay supported by an affidavit on stamp. On perusal of the
application/affidavit, we observe that the averments therein state that after
receiving impugned order, the assessee-trust was in the process of filing
present appeal but unfortunately father of Shri Vinay Goel was diagnosed
with severe heart related issues resulting into heart surgery. Medical reports
and prescriptions slips of doctors are filed on record to show this. Ld. AR
very humbly submitted that there is no deliberate lethargy, negligence, mala
fide intention or ulterior motive of assessee in making delay and the
assessee does not stand to derive any benefit because of delay. He further
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submitted that the sole reason of delay is the illness of father of Shri Vinay
Goel, office bearer-cum/authorized representative-cum-deponent of
affidavit. He also submitted that the case of assessee is meritorious as well.
Therefore, the delay must be condoned. Ld. DR for Revenue left the matter
to the wisdom of Bench without raising any objection. We have considered
the explanation advanced by assessee and in absence of any contrary fact or
material on record, the assessee is found to have a “sufficient cause” for
delay in filing present appeal. We find that section 253(5) of the Act
empowers the ITAT to admit an appeal after expiry of prescribed time, if
there is a “sufficient cause” for not presenting appeal within prescribed time.
It is also a settled position by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Collector, Land
Acquisition Vs Mst. Katiji and others 1987 AIR 1353, 1987 2 SCC 387
that whenever substantial justice and technical considerations are opposed
to each other, the cause of substantial justice must be preferred by adopting
a justice-oriented approach. Thus, taking into account the provision of
section 253(5) and the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court, we take a
judicious view, condone delay, admit appeal and proceed with hearing.
Ld. AR next carried us to the documents held in Paper-Book including
the impugned order passed by CIT(E) and submitted that the assessee filed
application dated 18.02.2023 in Form No. 10AB to CIT(E) for grant of
registration u/s 12AB. The CIT(E) issued certain notices to assessee which
the assessee attended and filed replies. However, the CIT(E) has considered
assessee’s replies as incomplete, more particularly the CIT(E) has observed
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that the assessee did not submit audit reports for last three years in terms
of Rule 17A(2)(g) of Income-tax Rules, 1962 whereas the correct position is
such that the assessee came into existence on 04.05.2022. Ld. AR
submitted that the rejection of assessee’s application by CIT(E) is not proper
and therefore the CIT(E) must be directed to grant registration to assessee
as applied for.
Ld. DR for revenue submitted that the CIT(E) has categorically noted
that the assessee-trust must be working since long time for the reason that
students’ list for Batch 2021 was given. He further submitted that in any
case, the CIT(E) has considered assessee’s submission as incomplete.
Therefore, it would be most appropriate in present case to restore matter at
the level of CIT(E) with a direction to assessee to submit full and complete
details for consideration of CIT(E).
We have considered rival submissions of both sides. After a careful
consideration, we find merit in the submission of Ld. DR for revenue. We
find that the CIT(E) has considered the submissions made by assessee as
incomplete. Further, the CIT(E) has also noted that the assessee submitted a
list of students for “Batch 2021” whereas the assessee is claiming that it
came into existence on 04.05.2022. Therefore, in the situation, it is most
appropriate, as suggested by Ld. DR, to restore matter at the level of CIT(E)
for adjudication afresh after giving one more opportunity to assessee.
Accordingly, we remit this matter back to CIT(E). We also direct the assessee
to make a complete submission to the queries of CIT(E) with supporting
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documents so as to enable the CIT(E) to take a proper decision in
accordance with law. Ordered accordingly.
Resultantly, this appeal is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced by putting on notice board in terms of Rule 34 of ITAT, Rules 1963 on 10/01/2025
Sd/- Sd/-
(TR SENTHIL KUMAR) (B.M. BIYANI) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
Indore िदनांक /Dated : 10/01/2025
CPU/Sr. PS Copies to: (1) The appellant (2) The respondent (3) CIT (4) CIT(A) (5) Departmental Representative (6) Guard File By order UE COPYAssistant Registrar Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Indore Bench, Indore
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