RAKESH KUMAR, BHILAI,DURG vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-2(1), BHILAI, DURG

The present appeal filed by the assessee is directed against the order passed by the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Center (NFAC), Delhi, dated 20.09.2024, which in turn arises from the order passed by the A.O under Sec.271(1)(b) of the Income- tax Act, 1961 (in short ‘the Act’) dated 30.08.2022 for the assessment year 2014-15.

The assessee by filing a letter dated 13.01.2025, had submitted that he has opted for Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, 2024 (VSVS 2024) in order to settle the dispute involved in the captioned appeal. The assessee in support of his aforesaid claim has placed on record “Form-1” filed by him as per Rule 4 of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Viswas 2024 (DTVSV 2024) for the captioned appeal. Although, an application seeking adjournment has been filed by the assessee appellant before us for the reason that “Form 2” is yet to be issued under the aforesaid scheme, but we are not inclined to allow the same. Rather, we find it appropriate to dismiss the appeal of the assessee, treating the same as withdrawn, having initiated the process to settle the litigation under VSVS-2024, thus, need not be kept pending for adjudication on merits.

Per contra, Ld. Sr. Departmental Representatives (for short ‘DR’) did not raise any objection to the seeking of the withdrawal of the captioned appeal by the assesse appellant.

Considering the aforesaid factual position, we dismiss the appeal as withdrawn. Before parting, we may herein observe that in case the order for full and final settlement of tax arrears in “Form 4” is not passed by the designated authority, then the assessee will remain at a liberty to seek restoration of the subject appeal.

Resultantly, the appeal filed by the assessee is dismissed as withdrawn in terms of the aforesaid observations.