IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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ITA 92/2010
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COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant
Through: Mr Sanjeev Sabharwal
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versus
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MAHALAXMI SUGAR MILLS CO LTD ..... Respondent
Through: None
.
.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BADAR DURREZ AHMED
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SIDDHARTH MRIDUL
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O R D E R
09.02.2010
This is an appeal from the order dated 17.07.2009 passed by the Income-
tax Appellate Tribunal in ITA No.1484/Del/2007 pertaining to the assessment year
2001-02. The only issue that is sought to be raised before us by the revenue is
that the Tribunal erred in deleting the penalty of Rs 1,51,80,699/- which was
chargeable to tax under Section 41(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 as remission
of liability. This remission / cessation of liability was shown in the accounts
as lease rentals payable to IFCI. It was pointed out that the liability ceased
to exist on account of a settlement with IFCI under which the leased asset was
purchased by the assessee. It was pointed out by the assessee before the
Tribunal that all the facts with regard to the lease of the machinery, dispute
with IFCI and its settlement out of court, were furnished to the Assessing
Officer and there was no question of any non-disclosure and, therefore, penalty
ought not to have been levied.
.
.
The Tribunal, after examining the rival contentions on this aspect of the
matter, found that the issue regarding computation of the profit under Section
41(1) was rather complex and its final determination rested on fixing the cost
of acquisition of the asset. The Tribunal found that the assessee had furnished
complete facts with regard to the lease agreement entered into with the IFCI as
well as the details with regard to the dispute and the ultimate settlement
arrived at with IFCI. The Tribunal, therefore, came to the conclusion that it
cannot be said that any inaccurate particulars of income were furnished in
respect of computation of profit under Section 41(1). The Tribunal also took
the view that there could be two possible interpretations and the assessee chose
one of them while the lower authorities chose the other. In such circumstances,
the Tribunal came to the conclusion that the explanation furnished by the
assessee was bona fide and that it could not be said that the assessee had not
furnished complete and / or inaccurate particulars. Consequently, the Tribunal
deleted the penalty.
We have heard the counsel for the revenue as well as examined the order of
the Tribunal and we find that the Tribunal has arrived at the above conclusions
on an appreciation of facts. We see no reason to interfere with the same as no
perversity was pointed out. No substantial question of law arises for our
consideration.
The appeal is dismissed.
BADAR DURREZ AHMED, J
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.
.
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SIDDHARTH MRIDUL, J
FEBRUARY 09, 2010
dutt
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