ACIT CIRCLE 1, KUMBAKONAM vs. M/S. KARAIKAL PORT PVT. LTD., KARAIKAL

Aforesaid appeals by Revenue for Assessment Years (AY) 2011-12 to 2013-14 arises out of separate orders passed by learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-1, Trichy [CIT(A)] on 01-12-2019 in the matter of separate assessments framed by Ld. Assessing Officer for these years. The sole issue in the appeals is depreciation on intangible assets.

The Ld. AR (appearing in virtual mode), at the outset, placed on record copy of order of Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Division Bench-1, Chennai passed on 31-03-2023 in IA(IBC)/1593/(CHE)/2022 in CP(IB)/85 (CHE)/2022 & ors. The Ld. AR submitted that as per this order, Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) in respect of assessee corporate debtor was initiated by Tribunal vide order dated 29-04-2022. As per resolution plan as approved by the COC, successful resolution applicant (SRA) acquired the corporate debtor as ongoing concern and undertook to settle the admitted claims by the resolution professional (RP) in accordance with the terms and timelines contained under the resolution plan. The SRA has committed to make certain payments which have been enumerated in para 7.1 of the order. The resolution applicant under the resolution plan has sought for 8 reliefs and waivers from Hon’ble NCLT. With respect to Government dues, following order has been passed by Hon’ble NCLT:- S. No. Relief and Waiver sought for by the SRA Orders Thereon 1. to 5. ….. 6. Other than as specifically addressed in accordance with the Granted in terms provisions of this Resolution Plan, any and all other claims, of the judgment of rights and entitlements of any person, including any actual the Hon’ble and potential creditors of the Corporate Debtor (including but Supreme Court in not limited to all Financial Creditors, operational creditors, Ghanashyam other creditors and Governmental Authorities and any person Mishra and Sons who may claim to be a creditor by way of exercise of rights v. Edelweiss under Applicable laws or equity), whether or not such claims, Asset rights or entitlements (including any demand for any losses or Reconstruction damages, principal, interest, compound interest, penal Limited.

Upon perusal of order of Hon’ble NCLT, It could thus be seen that relief has been granted for Government dues relating to the period up-to the CIRP commencement date and such dues shall stand extinguished. The same has been granted as per the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Ghanashyam Mishra & Sons v. Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Ltd. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in its recent decision of Tata Steel Ltd. vs. DCIT (156 Taxmann.com 104) inter-alia held that a successful applicant whose Resolution Plan has been approved should not be put in a position where it is called upon to liquidate dues of creditors, including statutory creditors, which were not embedded in the Resolution Plan. A successful applicant is, in law, provided with a "clean slate"; therefore, dues for the period prior to the date when the Resolution Plan was approved cannot be recovered.

In view of the aforesaid order of Tribunal extinguishing the Government dues, the appeals filed by the revenue have been rendered infructuous and merely academic in nature. Accordingly, we see no reason to proceed with the same.

All the captioned appeals stand dismissed. Order pronounced on 08th February, 2024. Sd/- Sd/- (MAHAVIR SINGH) (MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL) उपा23 / VICE PRESIDENT लेखा सद5 / ACCOUNTANT MEMBER चे7ई Chennai; िदनांक Dated : 08-02-2024 DS आदेशकीCितिलिपअ%ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. अपीलाथ�/Appellant 2. � थ�/Respondent 3. आयकरआयु?/CIT 4. िवभागीय�ितिनिध/DR 5. गाडDफाईल/GF