Facts
The assessee filed five appeals against the orders of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) for various assessment years. The assessee's counsel sought an adjournment stating that insolvency proceedings were pending before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The Departmental Representative noted the assessee's non-appearance before the lower authorities.
Held
The Tribunal noted that the assessee's counsel did not provide proof of the NCLT proceedings. Considering the circumstances, the Tribunal decided to remit the matter back to the CIT(Appeals) to provide one more opportunity for the assessee to be heard.
Key Issues
Whether to grant an adjournment based on pending NCLT proceedings and the assessee's non-appearance before lower authorities.
Sections Cited
Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, KOLKATA-PATNA ‘e-COURT’, KOLKATA
Before: Shri Duvvuru RL Reddy, Vice-(KZ) & Shri Sanjay Awasthi
Per Duvvuru RL Reddy, Vice-President (KZ):- The present five appeals bearing 146, 147, 153 & 154/PAT/2023 are directed at the instance of assessee against the orders of ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), Patna-3, all dated 22nd March, 2023 passed for Assessment Years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2013-14 & 2018-19 respectively.
Ld. Counsel for the assessee filed a petition for adjournment saying that the matter is pending before the National Company Law Tribunal, since the appellant filed Insolvency Proceedings under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
On the other hand, ld. Departmental Representative submitted that the assessee did not appear before the ld. Assessing Officer as well as ld. CIT(Appeals). Therefore, he pleaded to remit the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(Appeals).
None appeared on behalf of the assessee except filing the adjournment petition. Ld. Counsel for the assessee-petitioner has not filed any proof to show that the proceedings are pending before the NCLT. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that it is a fit case to remit the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(Appeals) with a direction to provide one more opportunity of being heard to the assessee. At the same breath, we also hereby caution the assessee to promptly co-operate with the 2 , 146/PAT/2023 (A.Ys 2016-17 &. 2017-2018)
(A.Y. 2019-2020) (A.Y. 2013-14) ITA No. 154/PAT/2023 (A.Y. 2018-19) Babita Kumari proceedings before the Ld. CIT(Appeals) failing which the Ld. CIT(Appeals) shall be at liberty to pass appropriate order in accordance with law and merits based on the materials available on the record. Thus, the grounds raised by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.