M/S. NORTH POINT CONTRACTORS ,JALPAIGURI vs. ITO, WARD - 1(3), JALPAIGURI , JALPAIGURI

In this case, the appeal filed by the assessee was initially fixed for hearing on 01.10.2018. None, however, appeared on behalf of the assessee on the said date and hearing, therefore, was adjourned to 01.01.2019 with a direction to the Registry to send the notice of the said hearing to the assessee by Registered Post with A/D. On 01.01.2019 as well as on 21.01.2019 and 04.03.2019 when the appeal was fixed for hearing, the assessee consistently sought adjournments on one pretext or the other. Thereafter the appeal was fixed for final hearing on 11.04.2019. On 11.04.2019, i.e. today, none, however, has appeared on behalf of the assessee nor any application seeking adjournment has been filed. Keeping in view this non-compliant attitude of the assessee, it 1 Assessment Year: 2014-2015 M/s. North Point Contractors appears that the assessee is not seriously interested in prosecuting this appeal filed before the Tribunal.

The law assists those who are vigilant and not those who sleep over their rights. This principle is embodied in the well known dictum - “vigilantibus, non dormientibus, jura subvenient”. Considering the facts and keeping in mind the provisions of Rule 19(2) of the ITAT Rules as was considered in the case of CIT –vs.- Multiplan India Pvt. Ltd. 38 ITD 320 (Del.) and the judgment of the Hon’ble Madhya Pradesh High Court in the case of Estate of Late Tukojirao Holkar –vs.- C.W.T. reported in 223 ITR 480, I treat this appeal as unadmitted and dismiss the same for non- prosecution.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is dismissed. Order pronounced in the open Court on April 11, 2019.