Indo Japan Agrotech Ltd, New Delhi V. ITO, Ward-12(2), New Delhi

ITA 5416/DEL/2019

AI Insights

The case involves Indo Japan Agrotech Ltd., the appellant, challenging the order of the CIT(A) which dismissed their appeal on the grounds that it was not filed electronically as required by Rule 45 of the Income Tax Rules. The Tribunal considered previous judgments and the provisions of the Income Tax Act, particularly Sections 249 and 250, and found that the CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeal solely due to the mode of filing. The Tribunal emphasized the need to adhere to the principles of natural justice and allowed the appeal for statistical purposes, directing the CIT(A) to decide on the merits.

• Counselvise Citation: [2023] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 113991 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 3 year(s) 8 month(s) 2 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 19-02-2023
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: G
• Next Hearing Date: 19-02-2023
• Assessment Year: 2013-2014
• Appeal Filed On: 16-06-2019
• Other Referred Cases: Amarjeet Singh vs. ACIT, New Delhi Young Men\u2019s Christian Association vs. ITO
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: PRAMOD
• Keywords: Principle of natural justice
• Section: 2; 143(3)

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (DELHI BENCH ‘H’ : NEW DELHI) BEFORE SH. SHAMIM YAHYA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND SH. ANUBHAV SHARMA, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA No.5416/Del/2019, A.Y. 2013-14 M/s. Indo Japan Agrotech Ltd., 100-A, Cycle Market, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi-10055 PAN : AAACI8493G Vs. Income Tax Officer, Ward-12(2) New Delhi Appellant Respondent Assessee by Sh. V. Rajkumar, Adv. Revenue by Sh. Anuj Garg, Sr. DR, Pramod Kumar, Sr. DR Date of hearing: 20.02.2023 Date of Pronouncement: 20.02.2023 ORDER Per Anubhav Sharma, JM : 1. Heard and perused the record. 2. The assessee has challenged the order dated 17.04.2017 passed by Ld. CIT(A)-4, New Delhi wherein the appeal filed by the assessee against order u/s 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act’) dated 23.03.2016 passed by ITO, Ward-12(2), New Delhi has been dismissed as the appeal was filed in paper form and ITA No. 5416.Del.2019 Indo Japan Agrotech Ltd., New Delhi 2 not as per Rule 45 of the Income Tax Rules which provide filing of the appeal electronically. 3. As the matter was called for hearing, on behalf of the assessee Ld. AR apprised that assessee has also filed the appeal by electronic mode on 14.06.2019 and the same is pending before Ld. CIT(A). 3.1 Ld. AR has relied judgment of co-ordinate Bench at Delhi in ITA no. 1455 and 1454/Del/2018 titled Amarjeet Singh vs. ACIT dated 19.02.2021 and ITA no. 1029/Del/2017 titled New Delhi Young Men’s Christian Association vs. ITO dated 21.08.2017, to submit that the co- ordinate Bench has remanded the issue to the files of CIT(A) to decide on merits. Ld. DR however supported the findings of ld. CIT(A). 4. Appreciating the matter on record it can be observed from the impugned order that the Ld. CIT(A) mentions the fact of issuing notice u/s 250(2)(b) the Act to Ld. AO and as AO failed to appear, Ld. CIT(A) presumed that the appeal is validly filed for the purpose of section 249(2) and (4), however, after issuing notice of hearing of appeal to the assessee/appellant, dismissed the appeal as it was not electronically filed. 5. Now, taking into consideration provisions of Section 249 and Rule 45, the Bench is of considered opinion that except for the bar created under sub section 2 and sub section 4, of Section 249 of the Act, the Ld. CIT(A) has no power to decline admitting an appeal merely for the reason that assessee filed the appeal in paper form, because there is nothing under the Act or the rules which expressly prohibits admission of the appeal if not filed in electronic form. 6. As there is nothing specifically, to bar admission of an appeal in paper form, the CIT(A), being a quasi judicial authority, being guided to follow rules of natural justice, has inherent powers to give opportunity to the appellant before it, to rectify the mistake by treating the deficiency as the mere defect. Accordingly, the ground no. 1 raised by the assessee is ITA No. 5416.Del.2019 Indo Japan Agrotech Ltd., New Delhi 3 allowed and the impugned order of ld. CIT(A) is set aside for statistical purposes. The issues on merit are restored for determination by the Ld. CIT(A) with the liberty to consolidate the pending electronically filed appeal. 7. In the result, appeal of assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the open court on 20 th February, 2023. Sd/- Sd/- (SHAMIM YAHYA) (ANUBHAV SHARMA) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Date:-20.02.2023 *Binita, SR.P.S* Copy forwarded to: 1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3. CIT 4. CIT(Appeals) 5. DR: ITAT ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ITAT, NEW DELHI