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Facts
The assessee filed appeals against the orders of the Ld. Commissioner. There was a delay of 231 days in filing the appeal, attributed to the old age and ailments of the senior counsel handling the case. The assessee had opted for the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme (VSVS) for settlement.
Held
The Tribunal condoned the delay of 231 days subject to a deposit of Rs.1,100/-. The appeal was dismissed as withdrawn, with liberty to seek recall in case of failure to deposit the VSVS amount.
Key Issues
Condonation of delay in filing the appeal and dismissal of appeal as withdrawn due to opting for VSVS.
Sections Cited
250, 143(1)
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, MUMBAI BENCH “SMC”, MUMBAI
Before: SHRI NARENDER KUMAR CHOUDHRY
Per : Narender Kumar Choudhry, Judicial Member:
These appeals have been preferred by the Assessee against the orders dated 01.08.2023 & 04.08.2023, impugned herein, passed by the National Faceless Appeal Centre/Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (in short Ld. Commissioner) u/s 250 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (in short ‘the Act’) for the A.Y. 2020-21.
Both the appeals are emanated from the same assessment order dated 21.10.2021 u/s 143(1) of the Act and therefore for the sake of brevity the same were heard together and are being disposed of by this composite order and by considering the as a lead case. we observe that the Assessee has opted for the benefit of Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, (in short “VSVS”) 2024 and by filing form No.1 dated 07.12.2024 has requested for disposal of this appeal being dismissed as withdrawn.
The Ld. D.R. did not refute the claim of the Assessee.
Having heard the parties and perusing the material available on record and the orders passed by the Authorities below, it is observed that there is a delay of 231 days in filing the instant appeal, for which the Assessee has claimed that the appeal was to be prepared by Ld. Senior Counsel Mr. Bharat Kumar, who was handling the case, in fact is 74 years old and due to old age ailments and alertness, he could not file the appeal within the prescribed period, which resulted into delay of 231 days in filing the same and therefore it is prayed that considering the age of the Ld. Sr. Counsel and the fact that the Assessee is willing to settle the dispute and therefore has opted for settlement under VSVS 2024, the delay may be condoned. On the contrary, the Ld. D.R. refuted the claim of the Assessee qua condonation of delay.
This Court has given thoughtful considerations to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and the reason for delay in filing the appeal, which prima-facie seems to be bonafide, genuine and sufficient but not supported by any document or affidavit and therefore considering the reason for condonation of delay and peculiar fact that the Assessee has bonafide intention to settle the dispute and in pursuance to his intention, has opted for VSVS 2024 and has filed form no.1 in this regard, therefore, this Court deem it appropriate to condone the delay of 231 days in filing the instant appeal, however subject to deposit of Rs.1,100/- in the Revenue Department in the “other heads” and without claiming any disallowance/deduction of the said amount, within 15 days from today i.e. 09.12.2024. Thus, the delay is condoned accordingly.
On merit, the appeal filed by the Assessee is dismissed being withdrawn, with liberty to the parties to seek recall of this order, in case of failure of the Assessee to deposit the requisite amount to be determined by the concerned authority under VSVS, 2024. Resultantly, is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty as mentioned above.
In the result, in view of the decision of both the appeals stand dismissed as withdrawn in the same terms.
Order pronounced in the open court on 09.12.2024.