IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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ITA 547/2012
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CIT ..... Appellant
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Through: Ms. Rashmi Chopra, Sr. Standing Counsel.
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versus
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SUBROS LTD ..... Respondent
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Through: Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Advocate.
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CORAM:
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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S. RAVINDRA BHAT
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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.V.EASWAR
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O R D E R
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07.09.2012
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The Revenue urges that the impugned order of the Income Tax
Appellate Tribunal (?Tribunal?, for short) dated 27.08.2010 in ITA
No.1326/Del/2010 is erroneous. In support of its appeal learned counsel
argues that the assessee in this case did not file a revised return but
filed a fresh calculation after notice was issued under Section 143(2) of
the Income Tax Act, 1961 (?Act?, for short).
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The brief facts of the case are that the assessee had sought
deduction in the bonafide belief that the approval under Section
35(2AB)(1) of the Act would be granted from the date of its application
to the competent authority. However, the approval granted did not relate
back to the date of application i.e. sometime in September, 2004. The
assessee accordingly filed a revised computation of income in the course
of the assessment proceedings, restricting its claim to 100% instead of
150% on the expenses incurred towards research and development before
28.01.2005. It argued that there was neither any concealment nor did it
furnish any inaccurate particulars. The penalty order of the Assessing
Officer was set-aside by the CIT (Appeals). The Revenue?s appeal was
dismissed by the Tribunal.
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In the impugned order the Tribunal held as follows: -
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?7.2 We find that section 271(1)(c) of the Act postulates
imposition of penalty for furnishing of inaccurate particulars and
concealment of income. In the present case we find that assessee was
under the bonafide belief by the time of filing the return that it will
receive the approval for the weighted deduction. The fact that the said
approval had not been received was duly reflected by way note in the
return of income. Hence, the assessee cannot be held guilty for
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furnishing inaccurate particulars and concealment of income. As earlier stated prescribed authority vide letter dated 11.12.2006 gave the
approval from 28.5.2006. Hence by this time the stipulated time for
filing revised return u/s 139(5) has also expired. The only reason given
by the Assessing Officer in para 3.8 of his order is that assessee has
not filed any return revised return u/s 139(5) of the act. Assessing
Officer further mentioned that though the assessee has received approval
from DSandIR in December, 2006 no return was filed within due time i.e.
31.3.2006. This clearly shows the non-application of the mind by the
Assessing Officer. As nobody is expected to do the impossible. After
receiving the approval letter in December, 2006, the assessee cannot be
expected to do the impossible and file a return of on previous dates i.e.
by 31.3.2006.
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7.3 That assessee has not appealed against the addition can also not be
said to be a reason for levying penalty. Assessee itself filed revised
computation and paid tax, so there is no question of filing an appeal.
Moreover no case has been made out that assessee at the time of filing of
return could not have had a bonafide belief that it will not receive the
approval. That assesse (sic.) was awaiting the approval was clearly
depicted by way of note in return. SO there is adequate and proper
disclosure of facts.
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7.4 In this background, in our considered opinion section 271(1)(c) is
not attracted here, which mandates levy of penalty for concealment of
income or furnishing of inaccurate particulars. The case law referred by
the Ld. Departmental Representative of Escorts Finance Ltd. (Supra) is
not applicable on the facts of the present case. That case was with
reference to an ex-facie inadmissible claim made by the assessee. In the
present case by no stretch of imagination assessee claim can be
categorized as ex-facie bogus claim. In the case of C.I.T vs. Zoom
Communication Pvt. Ltd. (supra) in ITA No.7/2010 vide order dated
24.5.2010 the Hon?ble Delhi High Court confirmed levy of penalty for
claiming an amount which was purely capital in nature as revenue and also
claiming income tax paid as deduction. There was no explanation that
mistake was bonafide. These case laws are clearly not applicable. The
assessee here had made a claim and disclosed the basis of the same. The
same cannot be said to not bonafide.?
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The Tribunal relied on certain other decisions of coordinate
Benches which have been mentioned by it. The impugned order also applies
the ratio of CIT v. Reliance Petro Products Ltd., (2010) 322 ITR 158 in
support of its reasoning.
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Having regard to these the Court holds that the reasoning of the
Tribunal is sound and justified, and does not call for any interference.
No substantial question of law arises. The appeal is accordingly
dismissed.
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S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J
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R.V.EASWAR, J
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SEPTEMBER 07, 2012
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$ 15
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