PILOT MINES AND MINERALS PVT LTD. (UNDERGOING CIRP REPRESENTED THROUGH ITS RP), MUMBAI V. DCIT, CC-3(4), MUMBAI

ITA 1375/MUM/2023

AI Insights

Pilot Mines And Minerals Pvt. Ltd., undergoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP), filed an appeal against the order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-51, Mumbai, for the assessment year 2017-18. The appeal was dismissed based on the moratorium provisions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, which prohibit the continuation of legal proceedings against the corporate debtor during the moratorium period. The Tribunal referenced a similar case, Future Enterprises v/s ITO, where a similar appeal was dismissed under the same circumstances, allowing the assessee to approach the Tribunal again post-moratorium.

• Counselvise Citation: [2023] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 125455 (ITAT-MUMBAI)
• Duration Of Justice: 3 month(s) 2 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 26-07-2023
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: C
• Next Hearing Date: 10-07-2023
• Assessment Year: 2017-2018
• Appeal Filed On: 23-04-2023
• Other Referred Cases: Future Enterprises v/s ITO
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
• Result in Favour of: Revenue
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Keywords: Liquidation
• Section: 250

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “C” BENCH, MUMBAI BEFORE SHRI G.S. PANNU, PRESIDENT, AND SHRI SANDEEP SINGH KARHAIL, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA no.1375/Mum./2023 (Assessment Year : 2017–18) Pilot Mines And Minerals Pvt. Ltd. (Undergoing CIRP Represented Through its RP), 6, Kalandi Building 82, Lajpatrai Road, Opp. HDFC Bank Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400 056 PAN – AAFCP7010D ................ Appellant v/s Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax Central Circle–3(4), Mumbai ................ Respondent Assessee by : Shri Rajesh Sanghvi Revenue by : Shri R.A. Dhyani Date of Hearing – 11/07/2023 Date of Order – 27/07/2023 O R D E R The present appeal has been filed by the assessee through its Resolution Professional appointed vide order dated 28/02/2023, passed by the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (“Hon’ble NCLT”) in Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (“CIRP”) initiated against the assessee under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“the Code”). In this appeal, the assessee has challenged the impugned order dated 24/02/2023, passed under section 250 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (“the Act”) by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-51, Mumbai, for the assessment year 2017-18. Pilot Mines And Minerals Pvt. Ltd. ITA no.1375/Mum./2023 Page | 2 2. From the perusal of the aforesaid order dated 28/02/2023, passed by the Hon’ble NCLT, we find that the petition for initiating CIRP against the assessee under section 7 of the Code read with Rule 4 of Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Application to Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2016, has been admitted, and Resolution Professional has been appointed to carry out the functions as per the provisions of the Code. We also find that the moratorium in terms of section 14 of the Code has also been initiated. 3. It is pertinent to note that as per the provisions of section 14 of the Code, the institution of a Suit or continuation of pending Suit or proceedings against the Corporate Debtor including the execution of any judgment, decree, or order in any Court of law, Tribunal, Arbitration Panel or other authorities, shall be prohibited during the moratorium period. The period of moratorium shall have the effect from the date of such order till the completion of CIRP; or if, during the CIRP period, Hon’ble NCLT approves the resolution plan under section 31(1) or passes an order for liquidation of corporate debtor under section 33 of the Code, the moratorium shall cease to have an effect on the date of such order. 4. During the hearing, the learned Authorised Representative placed on record the order dated 24/05/2023, passed by the coordinate bench of the Tribunal in Future Enterprises v/s ITO, in ITA No. 254/Mum./2023, wherein the coordinate bench in similar circumstances dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee in terms of the provisions of section 14 of the Code with a liberty to the assessee to prefer the appeal afresh or to seek recall of the order as soon as the moratorium period is over. Pilot Mines And Minerals Pvt. Ltd. ITA no.1375/Mum./2023 Page | 3 5. Thus, in view of the above, we dismiss the present appeal filed by the assessee with liberty that upon completion of the moratorium period, if it is so decided, the assessee may prefer the appeal afresh or seek recall of this order by impleading Managing Director / Director, representing the new management of the assessee company, or the Official Liquidator, as the case may be. 6. In the result, the appeal by the assessee is dismissed. Order pronounced in the open Court on 27/07/2023 Sd/- G.S. PANNU PRESIDENT Sd/- SANDEEP SINGH KARHAIL JUDICIAL MEMBER MUMBAI, DATED: 27/07/2023 Copy of the order forwarded to: (1) The Assessee; (2) The Revenue; (3) The PCIT / CIT (Judicial); (4) The DR, ITAT, Mumbai; and (5) Guard file. True Copy By Order Pradeep J. Chowdhury Sr. Private Secretary Assistant Registrar ITAT, Mumbai