SAVE OUR CITY ,JAIPUR vs. CIT EXEMPTION , JAIPUR

ORDER PER: SANDEEP GOSAIN, JM These are two appeals filed by the assessee against different orders of the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Jaipur [hereinafter referred to as “CIT(E)”] both dated 30-11-2022 & 17-02-2023 passed in the matter of section 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 respectively.

& 633/JP/ 2024 SAVE OUR CITY VS CIT(EXEMPTION), JAIPUR 2.1 At the very outset of the hearing, we noticed that there is delay of 463 days and 385 days in the respective appeals of the assessee. In this regard, the ld. AR has moved an application for seeking condonation of delay wherein it has been specifically mentioned that the impugned order was received on the portal on 30-11-2022 and it was not served upon the assessee physically as per date of order the appeal in question was to be filed on or before 29-01-2023. However, the assessee had taken advice from one of the Counsel who advised / guided that since the registration of the assessee u/s 12AA has been rejected by the ld. CIT(E) only on the ground of Non-registration from Rajasthan Devasthan Vibhag under Rajasthan Public Trust Act, 1959. Hence, now the assessee trust can apply for the registration with the Rajasthan Devasthan Vibhag, Jaipur and after getting the certificate of registration from the Rajasthan Devasthan Vibhag, Jaipur he can re-apply for registration of the Trust u/s 12AA of the Act before the ld. CIT(E). Therefore, in this manner, the delay in filing the present appeals took place and thus the delay is not on account of any negligence on the part of the assessee trust.

2.2 On the contrary, the ld DR opposed the reasons advanced for condonation of delay made by the assessee in filing the above appeals.

& 633/JP/ 2024 SAVE OUR CITY VS CIT(EXEMPTION), JAIPUR 2.3 After hearing both the parties and perusing the materials available on record including the orders of the ld CIT(E) and applications of the assesse for seeking condonation of delay, we found that the registration of the trust u/s 12AB was rejected by the ld. CIT(E) only on the sole ground that the assessee trust is not registered under Rajhasthan Public Trust Act, 1959. In this regard, the assessee had already applied immediately after the order of the ld. CIT(E) and ultimately got the registration on 24-08-2023 and thereafter filed the present appeals. To our mind, there exists sufficient cause for seeking condonation of delay in filing the present appeals by the assessee trust and the assessee trust was under bona fide belief that the assessee trust acted on the advice of its counsel. Therefore, the assessee cannot be penalized and the right of the assesee cannot be scuttled down merely on the fact that he had filed the present appeals with the delay of 463 days and 385 days. Therefore, considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case as narrated in the application for seeking condonation of delay and keeping in view the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Collector, land Acquisition vs. MSt. Katiji and Others, 167 ITR 471 (SC) , we condone the delay in filing the present appeals and thus appeals of the assessee are admitted. Hence, in this view of the & 633/JP/ 2024 SAVE OUR CITY VS CIT(EXEMPTION), JAIPUR matter, the Bench is of the view that the matter as to registration of the Assessee trust needs to restore back to the file of the ld.CIT(E) to decide it afresh in view of its obtaining the certificate from Devsthan Vibhag, Jaipur Khand, Jaipur and provide one more opportunity of being heard to the assessee. The assessee is also directed to produce the certificate obtained from Devsthan Vibhag, Jaipur Khand. Jaipur to settle the dispute of Registration u/s 12AB of the Act.