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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, MUMBAI BENCHES “G”, MUMBAI
Before: Shri JOGINDER SINGH, & Shri G. MANJUNATHA
आदेश / O R D E R
Per Joginder Singh (Judicial Member) The assessee is aggrieved by the impugned ex-parte order dated 01/02/2017 of the Ld. First Appellate Authority, Mumbai and non-condonation of delay.
During hearing, Miss. Dinkle Hariya, ld. counsel for the assessee, contended that the delay may be condoned and the assessee may be permitted to argue its case on merit, as the assessee, prima facie, is in a position to substantiate its claim. The Ld. DR, Ms. N. Hemalatha, contended that delay may not be condoned as the assessee has to explain the delay of each day.
2.1. We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material available on record. In view of the assertions made by the ld. respective counsel, so far as, condonation of delay is concerned no doubt filing of an appeal is a right granted under the statute to the assessee and is not an automatic privilege, therefore, the assessee is expected to be vigilant in adhering to the manner and mode in which the appeals are to be filed in terms of the relevant
HEFT Engineers. provisions of the Act. Nevertheless, a liberal approach has to be adopted by the appellate authorities, where delay has occurred for bona-fide reasons on the part of the assessee or the Revenue in filing the appeals. In matters concerning the filing of appeals, in exercise of the statutory right, a refusal to condoned the delay can result in a meritorious matter being thrown out at the threshold, which may lead to miscarriage of justice. The judiciary is respected not on account of its power to legalize in justice on technical grounds but because it is capable of removing injustice and is expected to do so.
2.2. The Hon’ble Apex Court in a celebrated decision in Collector, Land Acquisition vs Mst. Katiji & Ors. 167 ITR 471 opined that when technical consideration and substantial justice are pitted against each other, the courts are expected to further the cause of substantial justice.
This is for the reason that an opposing party, in a dispute, cannot have a vested right in injustice being done because of a non- deliberate delay. Therefore, it follows that while considering matters relating to the condonation of delay, judicious and liberal approach is to be adopted. If HEFT Engineers. sufficient cause is found to exist, which is bona-fide one, and not due to negligence of the assessee, the delay needs to condoned in such cases. The expression ‘sufficient cause’ is adequately elastic to enable the courts to apply law in a meaningful manner, which sub-serves the end of justice- that being the life purpose of the existence of the institution of the courts. When substantial justice and technical consideration are pitted against each other, the cause of substantial justice deserves to be preferred. The Hon’ble Apex Court in Vedabhai vs Santaram 253 ITR 798 observed that inordinate delay calls of cautious approach.
This means that there should be no malafide or dilatory tactics. Sufficient cause should receive liberal construction to advance substantial justice. The Hon’ble Apex Court in 167 ITR 471 observed as under:-
“3. The legislature has conferred the power to condone delay by enacting section 51 of the Limitation Act of 1963 in order to enable the courts to do substantial justice to parties by disposing of matters on de merits. The expression “sufficient cause” employed by the legislature is adequately elastic to enable the courts to apply the law in a meaningful manner which subserves the ends of justice that being the life-purpose of the existence of the institution of courts. It is common knowledge that this court has been making a justifiably liberal approach in matters instituted in this court. But the message does not appear to have percolated down to all the others courts in the hierarchy.”
HEFT Engineers. 2.3. Furthermore, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Vedabai Alia Vaijayanatabai Baburao Patil vs. Shantaram Baburao Patil 253 ITR 798 held that the court has to exercise the discretion on the facts of each case keeping in mind that in construing the expression ‘sufficient cause’, the principle of advancing substantial justice is of prime importance. The court held that the expression “sufficient cause” should receive liberal construction.
2.4.. The decision of the Tribunal in People Infocom Private Ltd. v/s CIT (ITA No.210/Mum/2013) order dated 19/05/2016, M/s Neutron Services Centre Pvt. Ltd vs ITO (ITA No.1180/Mum/2012) order dated 18/02/2016, Shri v/s ITO (ITA Saidatta Coop-. Credit Society Ltd.
No.2379/Mum/2015) order dated 15/01/2016 and Mr. Nikunj Barot (Prop. Enigma) vs ITO (ITA No.4887/Mum/2015) order dated 06/01/2016, wherein, substantial delay was condoned, supports the case of the present assessee.
Having made the aforesaid observation and various decisions discussed hereinabove, including from Hon’ble Apex Court, the circumstances narrated by the assessee,
HEFT Engineers. wherein, it has stated the reasons which caused the delay, therefore, the delay is condoned. Since, the delay has been condoned and the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal) has not adjudicated the issue on merit, therefore, the appeal of the assessee is remanded back to the file of the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal) for fresh adjudication on merit in accordance with law. The assessee be given opportunity of being heard. Even otherwise, as per mandate of Article-265 of Constitution of India, only due taxes has to be levied/collected. The appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
Finally, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
This Order was pronounced in the open court in the presence of ld. representatives from both sides at the conclusion of the hearing on 02/05/2018.