Dy. Commissioner of Income Tax , Circle-2(1), Hyderabad V. Ushodaya Enterprises Private Limited, Ranga Reddy

MA 37/Hyd/2018

• Counselvise Citation: [2019] 117 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 8056 (ITAT-HYDERABAD)
• Duration Of Justice: 11 month(s) 28 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Miscellaneous Application
• Pronouncement Date: 18-04-2019
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: DB-A
• Next Hearing Date: 18-01-2019
• Assessment Year: 2008-2009
• Appeal Filed On: 20-04-2018
• Result in Favour of: Revenue
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: A G V PRASADDR
• Assessee Lawyers: V SIVA KUMAR
• Keywords: Depreciation; Business expenditure; Period of limitation; Initiation of penalty proceedings; Reasonable cause; Competent authority; Revenue expenditure; TDS; Set aside
• Section: 201(1)

Judgement Text

MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 1 OF 18 IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL HYDERABAD B BENCH, HYDERABAD BEFORE SMT. P. MADHAVI DEVI, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI S.RIFAUR RAHMAN, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER M.A. NOS.49 & 37/HYD/2018 (ARISING OUT OF ITA NOS.546 & 547/HYD/2017 (29.11.2 017) (ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2008-09) M/S. USHODAYA ENTERPRISES PRIVATE LTD, HYDERABAD PAN: AAACU2690P VS ADDL. CIT (TDS) TDS RANGE-2 HYDERABAD (APPELLANT) (RESPONDENT) FOR ASSESSEE : SHRI V. SIVA KUMAR FOR REVENUE : SHRI A.G.V. PRASAD,DR O R D E R PER SMT. P. MADHAVI DEVI, J.M. THESE TWO MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS ARE FILED BY T HE ASSESSEE SEEKING RECTIFICATION OF ALLEGED MISTAKES WHICH ARE ALLEGEDLY APPARENT FROM RECORD FROM THE ORDER OF TH E TRIBUNAL DATED 29.11.2017 IN THE ABOVE TWO APPEALS. THE APPE AL IN ITA NO.546/HYD/2017 WAS AGAINST THE ORDER U/S 201(1) AN D 201(1A) OF THE ACT, WHILE THE APPEAL IN ITA NO.547/HYD/2017 WAS AGAINST THE LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271C OF THE ACT. BOTH THE A PPEALS WERE HEARD TOGETHER AND WERE DISPOSED OF VIDE COMMON AND CONSOLIDATED ORDER DATED 29.11.2017. THE ASSESSEE H AS FILED THE ABOVE TWO M.AS ALLEGING THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN MIST AKES APPARENT FROM RECORD WHICH NEED RECTIFICATION. DATE OF HEARING : 18.01.2019 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 18.04.2019 MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 2 OF 18 M.A. NO.49/HYD/2018 2. THE CONTENTIONS OF THE ASSESSEE IN THIS M.A. ARE AS FOLLOWS: APPLICATION UNDER SEC.254 (2) OF INCOME TAX ACT, 1 961: 1.1 THIS APPLICATION IS FILED BY THE APPLICANT COMP ANY UNDER SEC.254(2) OF THE LT ACT, '61 SEEKING RECTIFI CATION OF CERTAIN MISTAKES APPARENT FROM THE RECORD THAT HAVE CREPT INTO THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL IN ITS ORDER IN LT A NO.546/HYD/2017 DATED 29-11-20 17. 2.1 AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION OF THE C.IT (APPEALS) , THE APPLICANT FILED APPEAL BEFORE THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T. FIVE GROUNDS OF APPEAL WERE RAISED BY THE APPLICANT IN T HE APPEAL. GROUND NO.2 TO 4 RAISED BY THE APPLICANT RE AD AS UNDER: '2. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 GROSSLY ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE CONTENTION OF THE APPELLANT THA T THE TIME LIMIT OF 4 YEARS FOR COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S. 201(1) AND 201(1A) OF THE ACT IS REQUIRED TO BE COUNTED FR OM THE DATE OF OCCURRENCE OF DEFAULT IS NOT BASED ON INTER PRETATION OF STATUTE. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN THAT NO TIME LIMIT WAS PROVIDED IN THE ACT FOR COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S.201(1) & 201(1A) AT T HE RELEVANT TIME WHEN THE ALLEGED DEFAULT HAD OCCURRED . IT IS ONLY LATER THAT A PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED IN SEC.2 01 PROVIDING TIME LIMIT FOR COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S.201(1) &201(1A) AND EVEN SUCH PERIOD HAD EXPIRE D IN APPELLANT'S CASE BY THE TIME PROCEEDINGS WERE INITI ATED U/S.201(1) & 201(1A). HENCE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN HOLDING THAT INTERE ST LEVIED U/S.201(1A) IS WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT. 3. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NOT JU STIFIED IN HOLDING THAT THE APPELLANT IS NOT PREVENTED BY A REASONABLE CAUSE IN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS O F SEC.194J(D) IN NOT DEDUCTING TAX FROM NON-COMPETE F EE. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 OUGHT TO HAV E SEEN THAT THE RECIPIENT OF NON-COMPETE FEE DID NOT HAVE TAXABLE INCOME EVEN AFTER CONSIDERING NONCOMPETE FE E AS INCOME AND THEREFORE APPELLANT WAS REQUESTED BY THE RECIPIENT OF NON-COMPETE FEE NOT TO DEDUCT TAX FROM NON- COMPETE FEE WHICH IS A REASONABLE CAUSE. HENCE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NOT JUSTI FIED IN HOLDING THAT THE APPELLANT DID NOT PROVE THAT THERE WAS REASONABLE CAUSE FOR NOT DEDUCTING TAX AT SOURCE IN RESPECT OF NON-COMPETE FEE. MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 3 OF 18 4. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN THAT INTEREST U/S.201 (LA) IS LEVIABLE FOR THE PERIOD FROM 07-02-2008 (DATE ON WHICH TAX WAS DEDUCTIBLE O N NON-COMPETE FEE) TO 30-09-2008 (DATE OF FURNISHING RETURN OF INCOME). IN FACT THE RETURN OF INCOME OF SRI RAM OJI RAO (HUF) WAS E-FILED ON 3009-2008 ITSELF AND IT IS ONL Y A HARD COPY OF RETURN THAT WAS FILED BEFORE THE ASSESSING OFFICER ON 1310-2008. HENCE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)8 IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN HOLDING THAT INTERES T IS LEVIABLE UPTO 13-10-2008. FURTHER THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN THAT DUE DATE FOR DEDUCTING TAX FROM NON-COMPETE FEE CREDITED ON 30-01- 2008 IS 07-02-2008. HENCE APPELLANT SUBMITS THAT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NOT JUSTI FIED IN HOLDING THAT INTEREST IS LEVIABLE FOR THE PERIOD 30 -01-2008 TO 13-102008. FURTHER APPELLANT SUBMITS THAT SUCH DIRECTION AMOUNTS TO ENHANCEMENT OF INTEREST LEVIAB LE U/S.201 (1A) WITHOUT GIVING NOTICE TO THE APPELLANT AND IS THEREFORE NOT JUSTIFIED.' 2.2 IN PARAGARAPHS 6 AND 7 OF ITS ORDER, HON'BLE AP PELLATE TRIBUNAL RECORDED ITS DECISION ON GROUND NO.2. A RE ADING OF PARAGRAPH 6 SHOWS THAT HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL D EALT WITH THE ISSUE OF TIME LIMIT FOR INITIATION OF PROC EEDINGS U/S.201(1) OF THE ACT. THE UNDERMENTIONED SENTENCE WHICH FORMS THE FIRST SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 6 OF THE APPE LLATE TRIBUNAL'S ORDER MAKES THIS CLEAR. 'AS REGARDS GROUND OF APPEAL NO.2, WE FIND THAT IT IS ON THE QUESTION OF TIME LIMIT FOR INITIATION OF PROCEEDING S U/S.201(1) OF THE ACT.' 2.3 IN FACT THE ENTIRE DECISION ON GROUND NO.2(VIDE PARAGRAPHS 6 AND 7 OF THE ORDER) DOES NOT EVEN CONT AIN A REFERENCE TO SEC.201(1A) WHEREAS GROUND NO.2 RAISED BY THE APPLICANT CHALLENGES THE DECISION OF THE COMMIS SIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS) THAT THE ORDER LEVYING INTE REST U/S.201(1A) IS WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT. THE LAST SENT ENCE IN GROUND NO.2, WHICH READS AS UNDER, MAKES THIS VERY CLEAR. 'HENCE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NO T JUSTIFIED IN HOLDING THAT INTEREST LEVIED U/S.201(1 A) IS WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT.' 2.4 THE APPLICANT SUBMITS THAT A MISTAKE APPARENT F ROM RECORD HAS CREPT INTO THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE APPE LLATE TRIBUNAL, IN THAT, THE HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL H AS NOT ADJUDICATED UPON THE SPECIFIC GROUND TAKEN BY THE APPLICANT AS ABOVE. 2.5 PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL'S ORDER DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF CHARGEABILITY OF INTEREST U/S.201(LA). THE GIST OF THE FINDING IS THAT THE PR OVISIONS OF MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 4 OF 18 THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 201(1) WILL NOT APPLY TO CHARGING OF INTEREST U/S.201(LA) OF THE AC T, THAT THOUGH TDS MAY NOT BE RECOVERABLE FROM THE ASSESSEE , STILL THE ASSESSEE IS NOT ABSOLVED FROM THE LIABILI TY TO INTEREST U/S.201(LA) IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDING OF THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF HINDUSTAN COCA COLA BEVEREGES LTD. 2.6 PARAGRAPH 9 OF THE HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL'S ORDER DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF EXISTENCE OF REASONABLE CAU SE WHICH IS RAISED IN GROUND NO.3. GROUND NO.4 RASIES THE ISSUE OF THE PERIOD FOR WHICH INTEREST UNDER SEC.20 1(1A) IS TO BE CHARGED WHICH HAS BEEN DISPOSED OFF AS NOT PRESSED(PLEASE SEE LAST SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 8). 2.7 IT MAY KINDLY BE SEEN FROM THE NARRATION IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS THAT THE ISSUE RAISED BY THE APPLICANT IN GROUND NO.2 VIZ., THAT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-8 IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN HOLDING THAT IN TEREST LEVIED U/S.201(1A) IS WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT HAS NOT BEEN DISPOSED OFF BY THE HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL. OMISSION TO CONSIDER THE RATIO OF DECIDED CASES CITED BY THE APPLICANT: 3.1 IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTENTION THAT THE LEARNED CIT(APPEALS) ERRED HOLDING THAT THE ORDER CHARGING INTEREST U/S.201(LA) IS WITHIN TIME LIMIT, THE APPLICANT PLE ADED THAT WHERE THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT STIPULATED IN THE STAT UTE, PROCEEDING SHOULD BE INITIATED WITHIN REASONABLE TI ME AND THAT IN THE CASE OF THE APPLICANT, INITIATION OF PR OCEEDINGS WAS DONE AFTER A LAPSE OF ABOUT 6 AND % YEARS AND T HAT IN THE LIGHT OF THE RATIO OF DECIDED CASES RELIED ON B Y THE APPLICANT, THE PROCEEDINGS OUGHT NOT TO HAVE BEEN U PHELD BY THE LEARNED CIT (APPEALS). 3.2 THE APPLICANT RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'B LE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF C.I.T VS GOYAL M.G GASES (I.T.A NO: 335/2011 DATED 23-02-2011) (PAPER BOOK PAGES 4 TO 11) IN WHICH THE APPEAL FILED BY DEPT. WAS DISMISSE D. IN THIS CASE THE CIT, IN HIS ORDER U/S.263, DIRECTED A .O TO COMPUTE INTEREST ON MERCANTILE BASIS AND ALSO DIREC TED THAT CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER BE PASSED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. ASSESSEE CHALLENGED CIT'S ORDER BEFORE HON'BLE ITAT . ITAT, NOTICING THAT ABOUT 4 YEARS HAD PASSED AFTER THE DA TE OF 263 ORDER AND THAT THE A.O DID NOT PASS CONSEQUENTI AL ORDER, DISMISSED THE ASSESSEE'S APPEAL AS INFRUCTUO US IN THE SENSE THAT IN ANY CASE THE A.O WAS INCOMPETENT PASS THE CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER AFTER SUCH INORDINATE DELAY . THOUGH THE ASSESSEE'S APPEAL WAS DISMISSED, THE REV ENUE APPREHENDED THAT ITAT'S ORDER MAY PREVENT THE A.O F ROM PASSING THE CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER AND HENCE FILED APP EAL BEFORE THE HIGH COURT. THE HON'BLE DELHI HIGH COURT , INTER ALIA, HELD (IN PAGE 5 OF ITS ORDER) THAT IT WAS OF THE VIEW MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 5 OF 18 THAT WHERE NO PERIOD OF LIMITATION IS PRESCRIBED, T HEN, IN ANY EVENT, A REASONABLE PERIOD OF LIMITATION OUGHT TO BE ADOPTED AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE TIME ALLOWED BY C.I .T, THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS WAS CERTAINLY MUCH BEYOND TH E REASONABLE PERIOD THAT COULD BE ALLOWED TO THE A.O TO PASS THE ORDER. IN PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE ORDER ON PAGE 5, T HE HON'BLE HIGH COURT HELD THAT EVEN IF THERE IS NO PE RIOD OF LIMITATION PRESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 153(3)(II) OF T HE ACT, THE ASSESSING OFFICER WAS REQUIRED TO PASS THE ORDER WI THIN REASONABLE PERIOD AND NON-SPECIFICATION OF PERIOD O F LIMITATION WOULD NOT MEAN THAT ASSESSING OFFICER CA N WAIT FOR INDEFINITE PERIOD. THIS IS A CASE WHERE THE PRI NCIPLE THAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WITHIN REASONABLE PERIOD HAS BEEN REITERATED AND ABOUT 3 YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS HAS B EEN HELD AS BEYOND REASONABLE PERIOD. 3.3 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH IN THE CASE OF C.I.T V S UB ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS LTD., 371 ITR 314 AP (PAPER BOOK PAGES 15 TO 18) IN WHICH IT WAS HELD THAT BY AND LA RGE FOUR YEARS IS TREATED AS THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH ANY PEN AL ACTION CAN BE INITIATED AGAINST THE ASSESSEE. FAILU RE TO INITIATE STEPS WITHIN THAT PERIOD WOULD DISABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED AGAINST THE ASSESSEE. IN THE CASE BEFORE THE HIGH COURT THE ASSESSMENT YEARS WERE 198 9- 90, 1990-91 AND 1991-92. IT WAS NEARLY SEVEN YEARS THEREAFTER THAT A NOTICE WAS ISSUED. ON THE BASIS O F ITS REASONING, THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT HELD THAT THE I.T .A.T WAS JUSTIFIED IN ROPING IN THE THEORY OF REASONABLE PERIOD FOR PASSING ORDERS U/S.201(LA) OF THE ACT AND ALSO THAT INSPITE OF CONTINUOUS BREACH AND DEFAULT, THE FINDI NG OF THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T THAT LEVY OF INTEREST U/S.201(LA) C ANNOT BE SAID TO BE WITHIN REASONABLE TIME IS LEGAL AND VALI D. THIS DECISION OF JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COURT DIRECTLY APPL IES TO THE APPLICANT'S CASE AND IS BINDING ON THE HON'BLE APPE LLATE TRIBUNAL. 3.5 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI IN THE CASE OF C.I.T VS C.J INT ERNATIONAL HOTELS (P) LTD., 372 ITR 684 DELHI HC (PAPER BOOK P AGES 46 TO SO), THE YEARS INVOLVED IN THIS CASE WERE A.V S: 1999-00 TO 200102. IN THIS CASE, THE DEPARTMENT CONTENDED, (VIDE PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE JUDGMENT) THAT HAD THE PARLIAMENT INTENDED, IT WOULD HAVE ENGRAFTED A SPECIFIC PERIOD FOR INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS AND I N THE ABSENCE OF ANY SUCH LIMITATION, NO LIMITATION CAN B E IMPUTED. IN REBUTTAL THE ASSESSEE'S COUNSEL SUBMITT ED ( VIDE PARAGRAPH 4) THAT TWO DIVISION BENCHES OF THE DELHI HIGH COURT CONSISTENTLY RULED AND CONCLUDED THE ISS UE, IN C.I.T VS NHK JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPN., 305 ITR 137 DEL AND C.I.T VS HUTCHINSON ESSSAR TELECOM LTD., 32 3 ITR 230 DEL, BY HOLDING THAT WHERE NO LIMITATION WAS PRESCRIBED, FOUR YEARS WAS THE FOUNDATIONAL REQUISI TE FOR MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 6 OF 18 INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S.201. IN PARAGRAPH 6 O F THE JUDGMENT, THE COURT, FOLLOWING EARLIER JUDGMENTS, ( SUPRA) HELD THAT THE POWER TO TREAT THE ASSESSEE AS IN DEF AULT WAS TOO DRASTIC AND THE A.O HAS TO ACT WITHIN 4 YEA RS. THE COURT ALSO REFERRED TO ANOTHER DECISION IN THE CASE OF STATE OF PUNJAB VS BHATINDA DIST CO-OP MILK PRODUCERS UNI ON LTD., (2007) 9 RC 637 [(2007) 11 SCC 363 SE] AND HE LD IN PARAGRAPH 6, (SUB PARA 17 AND 18) THAT WHERE NO PER IOD OF LIMITATION IS PRESCRIBED, STATUTORY AUTHORITY MUST EXERCISE JURISDICTION WITHIN REASONABLE PERIOD, SAY 3 OR 5 Y EARS. 3.6 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI IN THE CASE OF CIT VS NHK JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPN 172 TAXMANN 230 DELHI HIGH COURT (PAPER BOOK PAGES 51 TO 54) IN THE SAID CASE, THE H IGH COURT HELD THAT WHERE NO LIMITATION IS PRESCRIBED, AS IN SEC.201, ACTION MUST BE INITIATED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY UNDER THE ACT WITHIN A PERIOD OF FOUR YEA RS. THE COURT ALSO HELD THAT DATE OF KNOWLEDGE IS NOT RELEV ANT FOR PURPOSES OF EXERCISING JURISDICTION IN SO FAR THE P ROVISIONS OF THE ACT ARE CONCERNED AND ALSO THAT ACCEPTANCE O F LIABILITY BY ASSESSEE WOULD NOT, BY ITSELF, EXTEND PERIOD OF LIMITATION NOR WOULD IT EXTEND REASONABLE TIME. 3.7 THE APPLICANT ALSO CITED THE DECISION OF HON'BL E SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF STATE OF PUNJAB & OTHE RS VS BHATINDA DISTRICT.COOP. MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD.LL SCC 363 SC (PAPER BOOK PAGES 55 TO 59) WHEREIN HON'BLE SUPREME COURT HELD 'IT IS TRITE THAT IF NO PERIOD O F LIMITATION HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, STATUTORY AUTHORITY MUST EXERC ISE ITS JURISDICTION WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD. WHAT, HOWE VER, SHALL BE THE REASONABLE PERIOD WOULD DEPEND UPON TH E NATURE OF THE STATUTE, RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES THERE UNDER AND OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS'. IN THE SAID CASE, ISSUE OF NOTICE AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS WAS CONSIDERED NOT VAL ID. 3.8 THE THRUST OF THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE APPLICANT BEFORE THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T WAS THAT THE INITIATION OF PROC EEDINGS WAS BEYOND REASONABLE PERIOD IN THE LIGHT OF THE VA RIOUS JUDICIAL PRONOUNCEMENTS RELIED ON BY THE APPLICANT BEFORE THE HON'BLE LT.A.T AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE SAME, TH E ORDER U/S.201(LA) NEEDS TO BE QUASHED. 3.9 THE APPLICANT HUMBLY SUBMITS THAT THE HON'BLE I TAT OMITTED TO DEAL WITH THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE APPLICA NT AND ADJUDICATE UPON THE GROUND RAISED BY THE APPLICANT IN THIS REGARD. THE APPLICANT SUBMITS THAT THIS CONSTITUTES MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THE APPLICANT PRAYS THAT THE HON'BLE ITAT MAY KINDLY RECALL THE ORDER AND RECTIFY THE MI STAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 7 OF 18 3. HAVING REGARD TO THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS AND THE M ATERIAL ON RECORD, WE FIND THAT IT IS A FACT THAT IN GROUND NO.2 IN ITA NO.546/HYD/2017, THE ASSESSEE HAD RAISED THE ISSUE OF TIME LIMIT OF 4 YEARS FOR COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S 201(1) AND 201(1A) OF THE ACT. THIS TRIBUNAL HAS DEALT WITH THIS GROUND I N PARAS 6 TO 8 OF ITS ORDER. HOWEVER, THE MISTAKES THAT HAVE CREPT IN THE ORDER ARE THAT (I) AT THE END OF PARA 6, IT IS ERRONEOUSL Y HELD THAT GROUND OF APPEAL NO.2 IS ALLOWED; AND (II) PARA 8 ERRONEOU SLY STARTS WITH GROUND NO.3. THEREFORE, WE DEEM IT FIT TO RECTIFY THE SAME AS UNDER:- THE LAST SEVEN WORDS OF PARA 6 ARE DELETED AND IT SHALL END WITH BARRED BY LIMITATION. THE FIRST SENTENCE OF PARA 8 SHALL BE READ AS FUR THER, ASSESSEES GRIEVANCE IS AGAINST CHARGING OF INTERES T U/S 201(1A) OF THE ACT. 4. THE NEXT GRIEVANCE OF THE ASSESSEE IN THIS M.A I S THAT THE TRIBUNAL HAS NOT SPECIFICALLY ADJUDICATED ON TH E GROUND TAKEN BY THE ASSESSEE THAT INTEREST LEVIED U/S 201(1A) IS ALSO NOT WITHIN TIME LIMIT AND THAT THE TRIBUNAL HAS OMITTED TO CON SIDER THE RATIO OF DECIDED CASES CITED BY THE ASSESSEE. 5. WE HAVE PERUSED THE ORDER OF THE TRIBUNAL AND FI ND THAT IN PARA 8 OF THE ORDER, THE TRIBUNAL HAS CONSI DERED THE APPLICABILITY OF SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 201(1) ALSO TO 201(1A) AND HAS CLEARLY HELD THAT SUB SECTION (3) REFERS ON LY TO AN ORDER U/S 201(1) AND THAT THE TDS CANNOT BE RECOVERED FRO M THE ASSESSEE. OBVIOUSLY, SUB-SECTION (3) REFERS TO TIME LIMIT FOR DEEMING A PERSON TO BE AN ASSESSEE IN DEFAULT FOR FAILURE TO MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 8 OF 18 DEDUCT THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THE TAX FROM A RESI DENT IN INDIA. THUS, THOUGH THERE IS NO ELABORATE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SAME, THE TRIBUNAL HAS CONSIDERED AND GIVEN A FINDING ON THE SAME. THE ASSESSEES CONTENTION THAT IT HAD PLACED RELIANCE O N VARIOUS DECISIONS (WHICH ARE ALSO REFERRED TO IN THE MA) AN D THAT THE TRIBUNAL HAS OMITTED TO CONSIDER THE SAME APPEAR TO BE CORRECT BECAUSE THERE IS NO REFERENCE OR DISCUSSION ABOUT T HE SAME IN THE ORDER. BUT DOES THAT MAKE THE ORDER ERRONEOUS?. THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE HAS RELIED UPON THE DECISI ON OF THE HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF SUBODH CH ANDRA S PATEL, REPORTED IN 138 TAXMANN 185 (GU.) HIGH COURT IN WHICH IT WAS HELD THAT NON-CONSIDERATION OF JURISDICTIONAL H IGH COURT OR APEX COURT WOULD ALWAYS CONSTITUTE A MISTAKE APPARE NT FROM RECORD AND THE TRIBUNAL IN EXERCISE OF POWERS U/S 2 54(2) CAN RECTIFY IT. THE OTHER DECISION RELIED UPON BY THE L EARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE IS THE DECISION OF THE COORDINATE BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL AT AHMEDABAD IN THE CASE OF PYRAMID PLASTI CS IN M.A. NO.147/AHD/2012, DATED 5.10.2012 WHEREIN IT WAS HEL D THAT NOT CONSIDERING THE CASE LAW CITED BY THE APPELLANT IS A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD AND HAD RECALLED ITS EARLIER O RDER AND RE- FIXED IT FOR FRESH HEARING. 6. THE LEARNED DR, HOWEVER, SUBMITTED THAT THERE WA S NO MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD WHICH WAS RECTIFIABLE U/S 254(2) OF THE ACT. 7. HAVING REGARD TO THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS AND THE M ATERIAL ON RECORD, RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE DECISIO NS, WE AGREE THAT THERE IS A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD AND NE EDS RECTIFICATION BY DEALING WITH THE CASE LAW RELIED U PON BY THE MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 9 OF 18 ASSESSEE. SINCE CONSIDERABLE TIME HAS PASSED AFTER HEARING OF THE APPEALS, WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT BOTH THE PARTIE S SHOULD BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING. THEREFORE, WE DEEM IT FIT AND PROPER TO RECALL THE ORDER OF THE TRIBUNAL IN I TA NO. 546 /HYD/2017 DATED 29.11.2017 FOR REHEARING OF THE PAR TIES ON THE DECISIONS RELIED UPON BY THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR TH E ASSESSEE. THE APPEALS ARE THUS DIRECTED TO BE FIXED FOR HEARING I N DUE COURSE AFTER NOTICE TO THE PARTIES. 8. IN THE RESULT, M.A. NO.49/HYD/2018 IS ALLOWED. M.A. NO.37/HYD/2018 9. FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY AND READY REFERENCE, THE CONTENTS OF THE APPLICATION IN M.A. NO.37/HYD/2018 ARE AS UNDER: APPLICATION UNDER SEC.254 (2) OF INCOME TAX ACT, 1 961: 1.1 THIS APPLICATION IS FILED BY THE APPLICANT COMP ANY UNDER SEC.254(2) OF THE LT ACT, '61 SEEKING RECTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MISTAKES APPARENT FROM THE RECORD THAT HAVE CREPT I NTO THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL IN ITS ORDER IN LT A NO.547/HYD/2017 DATED 29-11-2017. 2.1 AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION OF THE C.IT (APPEALS) , THE APPLICANT FILED APPEAL BEFORE THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T. GROUNDS OF APPEAL RAISED BY THE APPLICANT BEFORE THE HON'BLE I .T.A.T ARE ENCLOSED HERETO AS ANNEXURE IIA' FOR READY REFERENC E. 2.2 DURING THE COURSE OF HEARING THE APPEAL, THE AP PLICANT FILED CONCISE GROUNDS OF APPEAL WHICH ARE ENCLOSED HERETO AS ANNEXURE IIB' FOR READY REFERENCE. 2.3 THE APPLICANT ALSO FILED AN ADDITIONAL GROUND O F APPEAL ON 6-9-2017 WHICH IS REPRODUCED HERE UNDER. '1. THE LEARNED COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX(APPEALS) ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE ADDL. C.I.T(TDS) IS CORRECT IN LAW IN ASSUMING JURISDICTION AND LEVYING PENALTY U/S 271C OF THE AC T IN THE LIGHT OF HIS CLEAR FINDING THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS NOT BEEN TREATED AS DEFAULTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECTION 201(1) OF THE ACT.' 2.4 IN SUPPORT OF GROUND NO.2 [GROUND NOS.2(A) AND 2(B) IN CONCISE GROUNDS] THE APPLICANT RELIED UPON DECISION S OF VARIOUS JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES, COPIES OF WHICH HAVE BEEN FIL ED BEFORE THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T IN THE FORM OF PAPER BOOKS. MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 10 OF 18 3.1 HON'BLE I.T.A.T RECORDED ITS FINDINGS AND DECIS ION IN PARAGRAPH 13 IN ITS ORDER WHICH IS REPRODUCED HERE UNDER: 'HAVING REGARD TO THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS AND THE MAT ERIAL ON RECORD/ WE FIND THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO MAKE THE PA YMENT AND THE GENUINENESS OF THE PAYMENT OF NON-COMPETE FEE B Y THE ASSESSEE TO SHRI RAMOJI RAO (HUF) HAS BEEN ADJUDICA TED BY THE TRIBUNAL IN THE ASSESSEE'S OWN CASE FOR A. Y 2008-0 9 AND THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THE NON-COMPETE FEE IS THE BUSINESS EXPENDITURE OF THE ASSESSEE HAS BEEN UPHEL D. THE ASSESSEE HAS ALWAYS CONTENDED THAT IT IS ITS BUSINE SS EXPENDITURE AND THEREFORE/ IT WAS REQUIRED TO DEDUC T TAX AT SOURCE U/S.194J OF THE ACT. FOR FAILURE TO DEDUCT T AX INSPITE OF BEING LIABLE TO DO SO/ THE PENALTY U/S.271C IS CLEA RLY LEVIABLE. THOUGH THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE HAS PLA CED RELIANCE ON VARIOUS CASE LAW/ WE FIND THAT THESE CA SES ARE DISTINGUISHABLE ON FACTS. IN VIEW OF THE SAME/ WE D O NOT SEE ANY REASON TO INTERFERE WITH THE PENALTY ORDER CONF IRMED BY THE CIT (A) 4.1 THE APPLICANT SUBMITS THAT MISTAKES AS MENTIONE D HEREUNDER HAVE CREPT INTO THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE TRIBUNAL. MISTAKE AS TO FOUNDATIONAL FACTS: 4.2 HON'BLE TRIBUNAL MENTIONED (IN PARAGRAPH 13 OF THE ORDER) : 'THE REQUIREMENT TO MAKE PAYMENT AND GENUINENESS OF THE PAYMENT OF NONCOMPETE FEE BY THE ASSESSEE TO SHRI R AMOJI RAO (HUF) HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED BY THE TRIBUNAL IN THE A SSESSEE'S OWN CASE OR A. Y 2008-09 AND THE CONTENTION OF ASSE SSEE THAT THE NON-COMPETE FEE IS THE BUSINESS EXPENDITURE OF THE ASSESSEE HAS BEEN UPHELD. 4.3 THE APPLICANT SUBMITS THAT THE HON'BLE TRIBUNAL REMITTED THE MATTER OF GENUINENESS AND NECESSITY TO PAY THE NON- COMPETE FEE TO THE FILE OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER, VIDE PARAGRAP H 28 OF ITS ORDER IN I.T.A.NO.26/HYD/2011 DT.22-10-2014. THE UNDER ME NTIONED EXTRACT FROM THE SAID ORDER OF THE HON'BLE TRIBUNAL IS RELEVANT IN THIS CONNECTION. 'THEREFORE CONSIDERING THE TOTALITY OF THE FACTS AN D CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE OF THE VIEW THAT AS THE IMPACT OF ACQUISITIO N OF 39% OF EQUITY SHARES BY M/S. EQUATOR TRADING ENTERPRISES P VT. LTD HAS NOT AT ALL BEEN EXAMINED BY THE AA AT THE TIME OF A SSESSMENT PROCEEDING OR BY THE LEARNED CIT (A) WHILE DISPOSIN G OF ASSESSEE'S APPEAL AND FURTHER AS THE ADDITIONAL EVI DENCES PRODUCED BEFORE US WERE NOT EXAMINED EITHER BY THE AA OR BY CIT(A), WHICH CERTAINLY HAVE A CRUCIAL BEARING ON T HE ISSUE AS TO WHETHER THE PAYMENT OF NON-COMPETE FEE IS GENUINE A ND NECESSARY, WE ARE INCLINED TO REMIT THE MATTER BACK TO THE FILE OF A. 0 FOR DECIDING AFRESH. ONLY AFTER THE ISSUE RELA TING TO GENUINENESS OF NONCOMPETE FEE PAID AND NECESSITY TO PAY SUCH MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 11 OF 18 FEE IS RESOLVED, AA WILL DECIDE THE ALLOWABILITY OF DEPRECIATION CLAIMED ON SUCH NON-COMPETE FEE BY KEEPING IN VIEW THE STATUTORY PROVISION AS WELL AS THE RATIO LAID DOWN IN THE DECISIONS REFERRED TO HEREINABOVE AND ANY OTHER DECISION BROU GHT TO HIS NOTICE'. 4.4 AS IS CLEAR FROM THE EXTRACT QUOTED ABOVE THE I SSUE OF GENUINENESS OF THE FOR ASST.YEAR 2008-09 NON-COMPET E FEE PAID AND NECESSITY TO PAY SUCH FEE WAS NOT UPHELD BY THE HON'BLE TRIBUNAL BUT REMITTED BACK TO THE A.O. THE APPLICAN T SUBMITS THAT THE FINDING OF THE HON'BLE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL QUOTED IN PARAGRAPH 4.2 ABOVE CONSTITUTES A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THE APPLICANT PRAYS THAT THE HON'BLE I.T.A. T MAY KINDLY RECTIFY THE MISTAKE APPARENT FROM ITS ORDER. OMISSION TO CONSIDER THE RATIO OF DECIDED CASES CITED BY THE APPLICANT: 5.1 THE HON'BLE TRIBUNAL RECORDED (IN PARAGRAPH 13) 'THOUGH THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE HAS PLACED RELIANC E ON VARIOUS CASE LAW, WE FIND THAT THESE CASES ARE DIST INGUISHABLE ON FACTS.' IN THIS CONNECTION THE APPLICANT SUBMITS AS UNDER: 5.2 IN GROUND NO.2 OF THE GROUNDS OF APPEAL [GROUND NOS.2(A) AND 2(B) OF CONCISE GROUNDS OF APPEAL] THE APPLICAN T CONTESTED THE DECISION OF C.I.T (APPEALS) WHO HELD THAT THE P ENALTY IMPOSED IS WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT. THE APPLICANT CON TESTED THE FINDING AND PLEADED THAT WHERE THERE IS NO TIME LIM IT STIPULATED IN THE STATUTE, PROCEEDING SHOULD BE INITIATED WITH IN REASONABLE TIME AND THAT IN THE CASE OF THE APPLICANT, INITIAT ION OF PROCEEDINGS WAS DONE AFTER A LAPSE OF MORE THAN 6 A ND % YEARS AND THAT IN THE LIGHT OF THE RATIO OF DECIDED CASES RELIED ON BY THE APPLICANT, THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED UNDER SEC. 271C OUGHT NOT TO HAVE BEEN UPHELD BY THE LEARNED C.I.T (APPEA LS). 5.3 THE APPLICANT RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'B LE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF C,I.T VS GOYAL M,G GASES (I,T, A NO: 335/2011 DATED 23-02-2011) (PAPER BOOK PAGES 4 TO 1 1) IN WHICH THE APPEAL FILED BY DEPT. WAS DISMISSED. IN T HIS CASE THE CI.T, IN HIS ORDER U/S.263, DIRECTED A.O TO COMPUTE INTEREST ON MERCANTILE BASIS AND ALSO DIRECTED THAT CONSEQUENTI AL ORDER BE PASSED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. ASSESSEE CHALLENGED CIT'S O RDER BEFORE HON'BLE ITAT. ITAT, NOTICING THAT ABOUT 4 YE ARS HAD PASSED AFTER THE DATE OF 263 ORDER AND THAT THE A.O DID NOT PASS CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER, DISMISSED THE ASSESSEE'S APPEAL AS INFRUCTUOUS IN THE SENSE THAT IN ANY CASE THE A.O W AS INCOMPETENT PASS THE CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER AFTER SUCH INORDINATE DELAY. THOUGH THE ASSESSEE'S APPEAL WAS DISMISSED, THE REVENUE APPREHENDED THAT ITAT'S ORDER MAY PREVENT T HE A.O FROM PASSING THE CONSEQUENTIAL ORDER AND HENCE FILE D APPEAL BEFORE THE HIGH COURT. THE HON'BLE DELHI HIGH COURT , INTER ALIA, MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 12 OF 18 HELD (IN PAGE 5 OF ITS ORDER) THAT IT WAS OF THE VI EW THAT WHERE NO PERIOD OF LIMITATION IS PRESCRIBED, THEN, IN ANY EV ENT, A REASONABLE PERIOD OF LIMITATION OUGHT TO BE ADOPTED AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE TIME ALLOWED BY CI.T, THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS WAS CERTAINLY MUCH BEYOND THE REASONABLE PERIOD THA T COULD BE ALLOWED TO THE A.O TO PASS THE ORDER. IN PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE ORDER ON PAGE 5, THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT HELD THAT EVEN IF THERE IS NO PERIOD OF LIMITATION PRESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 153(3 )(II) OF THE ACT, THE ASSESSING OFFICER WAS REQUIRED TO PASS THE ORDE R WITHIN REASONABLE PERIOD AND NON-SPECIFICATION OF PERIOD O F LIMITATION WOULD NOT MEAN THAT ASSESSING OFFICER CAN WAIT FOR INDEFINITE PERIOD. THIS IS A CASE WHERE THE PRINCIPLE THAT ACT ION SHOULD BE TAKEN WITHIN REASONABLE PERIOD HAS BEEN REITERATED AND ABOUT 3 YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS HAS BEEN HELD AS BEYOND REAS ONABLE PERIOD. 5.4 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH IN THE CASE OF CI.T VS UB E LECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS LTD., 371 ITR 314 AP (PAPER BOOK PAGES 15 TO 18) IN WHICH IT WAS HELD THAT BY AND LARGE FOUR YEARS I S TREATED AS THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH ANY PENAL ACTION CAN BE INI TIATED AGAINST THE ASSESSEE. FAILURE TO INITIATE STEPS WIT HIN THAT PERIOD WOULD DISABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED AGAINST THE ASSESSEE. IN THE CASE BEFORE THE HIGH COURT THE ASSESSMENT YE ARS WERE 1989-90, 1990-91 AND 1991-92. IT WAS NEARLY SEVEN Y EARS THEREAFTER THAT A NOTICE WAS ISSUED. ON THE BASIS O F ITS REASONING, THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT HELD THAT THE I.T .A.T WAS JUSTIFIED IN ROPING IN THE THEORY OF REASONABLE PER IOD FOR PASSING ORDERS U/S.201(LA) OF THE ACT AND ALSO THAT INSPITE OF CONTINUOUS BREACH AND DEFAULT, THE FINDING OF THE HON'BLE I.T. AT THAT LEVY OF INTEREST U/S.201(LA) CANNOT BE SAID TO BE WITHIN RE ASONABLE TIME IS LEGAL AND VALID. 5.5 APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON' BLE I.T.AT, 'A' BENCH HYDERABAD IN THE CASE OF ACIT VS GOOD HEALTH PLAN LTD., (ITA. NO.155/HYD/2013 DATED 22-01-2014. (PAPER BOOK PAGES 19 TO 34) IN THIS CASE THE ASSESSEE PLEADED THAT SI NCE THE ASSESSEE WAS NOT TREATED AS IN DEFAULT U/S.201(L), THERE WAS NO SCOPE FOR LEVY OF PENALTY U/S.271C ASSESSEE PLEADED THAT PENALTY WAS ONLY CONSEQUENTIAL IN NATURE AND WHEN T HERE IS NO AMOUNT IN DEFAULT, THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPOSING PENA LTY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE RULED OUT. HON'BLE I.T.A.T RECORDE D THAT AD HAS NOT TREATED THE ASSESSEE AS IN DEFAULT/S.201(L) AND WHEN THE A.O HIMSELF TREATED THE ASSESSEE AS NOT IN DEFAULT IN RESPECT OF AMOUNT OF TDS TO BE DEDUCTED, THEN THERE CANNOT BE ANY SCOPE FOR LEVYING ANY PENALTY U/S.271C THE HON'BLE I.T.A. T ALSO RECORDED THAT THE RECIPIENT HAS PAID THE TAX ON THE INCOME RECEIVED. BEING SO, THE PROVISIONS OF SEC.271C CANN OT BE APPLIED TO THE ASSESSEE'S CASE. HON'BLE I.T.A.T CONFIRMED D ELETION OF THE PENALTY. 5.6 APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T A' BENCH MUMBAI, IN THE CASE OF A.C.LT VS AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 13 OF 18 BOMBAY EDUCATION TRUST (IT.A NOS.6349 TO 6351/MUM/2 009 AND C.O NOS.141 TO 143/MUM/2010 DATED 31-01-2011). (PAPER BOOK PAGES 39 TO 43) IN THIS CASE, THE HON'BLE LT.A .T, 'A' BENCH, MUMBAI WAS ADJUDICATING UPON ORDERS PASSED BY C.LT (A) DELETING PENALTY IMPOSED U/S.271C OF THE ACT. IN TH E SAID CASE, ORDERS U/S.201(1) & 201(LA) WERE PASSED BY D.C.LT ( TDS). THEREAFTER PENALTY U/S.271C WAS LEVIED. WHEN THE PE NALTY APPEAL CAME UP BEFORE THE C.LT (APPEALS), ASSESSEE CONTENDED THAT THE LT.A.T HELD THAT THE INITIATION OF PROCEED INGS U/S.201(1) & 201(LA) IN THE INSTANT YEARS WAS BEYOND THE PERIO D OF SIX YEARS AND HENCE BARRED BY LIMITATION. CONSIDERING T HE FACT THAT THE LT.A.T HAS QUASHED THE ORDERS U/S.201(1) & 201( LA), THE C.LT (APPEALS) ORDERED DELETION OF PENALTY U/S.271C OF THE ACT. AGAINST SUCH ORDER OF C.LT (APPEALS), REVENUE CAME UP IN APPEAL BEFORE THE LT.A.T. HON'BLE LT.AT HELD THAT W HERE THE ORDER U/S.201(1) AND 201(LA) IS SET ASIDE ON ACCOUN T OF LIMITATION, THE EFFECT IS THAT THE ASSESSEE IS NOT DEEMED TO BE IN DEFAULT IN RESPECT OF ANY FAILURE TO DEDUCT OR PAY TAX AT SOURCE AND IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE QUESTION OF PENALTY U/S.271C CANNOT ARISE. SINCE THE C.LT(APPEALS) HAS ORDERED F OR CANCELLATION OF PENALTY ON THE BASIS OF ORDER OF TH E I.T.A.T, THE HON'BLE IT.A.T REFRAINED FROM CONSIDERING THE SUBMI SSIONS BY BOTH SIDES ON MERITS AND THE ORDER OF THE C.I.T(A) WAS UPHELD AND THE APPEALS OF REVENUE WERE DISMISSED. 5.7 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI IN THE CASE OF C.I.T VS C.J INTERNAT IONAL HOTELS (P) LTD., 372 ITR 684 DELHI HC (PAPER BOOK PAGES 46 TO 50), THE YEARS INVOLVED IN THIS CASE WERE A.YS: 1999-00 TO 2 00102. IN THIS CASE, THE DEPARTMENT CONTENDED, (VIDE PARAGRAP H 3 OF THE JUDGMENT) THAT HAD THE PARLIAMENT INTENDED, IT WOUL D HAVE ENGRAFTED A SPECIFIC PERIOD FOR INITIATION OF PROCE EDINGS AND IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SUCH LIMITATION, NO LIMITATION C AN BE IMPUTED. IN REBUTTAL THE ASSESSEE'S COUNSEL SUBMITT ED ( VIDE PARAGRAPH 4) THAT TWO DIVISION BENCHES OF THE DELHI HIGH COURT CONSISTENTLY RULED AND CONCLUDED THE ISSUE, IN C.I. T VS NHK JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPN., 305 ITR 137 DEL AND C.I. T VS HUTCHINSON ESSSAR TELECOM LTD., 323 ITR 230 DEL, BY HOLDING THAT WHERE NO LIMITATION WAS PRESCRIBED, FOUR YEARS WAS THE FOUNDATIONAL REQUISITE FOR INITIATION OF PROCEEDING S U/S.201. IN PARAGRAPH 6 OF THE JUDGMENT, THE COURT, FOLLOWING E ARLIER JUDGMENTS, (SUPRA) HELD THAT THE POWER TO TREAT THE ASSESSEE AS IN DEFAULT WAS TOO DRASTIC AND THE A.O HAS TO ACT W ITHIN 4 YEARS. THE COURT ALSO REFERRED TO ANOTHER DECISION IN THE CASE OF STATE OF PUNJAB VS BHATINDA DIST CO-OP MILK PRODUCERS UNI ON LTD., (2007) 9 RC 637 [(2007) 11 SCC 363 SE] AND HELD IN PARAGRAPH 6, (SUB PARA 17 AND 18) THAT WHERE NO PERIOD OF LIM ITATION IS PRESCRIBED, STATUTORY AUTHORITY MUST EXERCISE JURIS DICTION WITHIN REASONABLE PERIOD, SAY 3 OR 5 YEARS. 5.8 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI IN THE CASE OF CIT VS NHK JAPAN BROA DCASTING CORPN 172 TAXMANN 230 DELHI HIGH COURT (PAPER BOOK PAGES MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 14 OF 18 51 TO 54) IN THE SAID CASE, THE HIGH COURT HELD THA T WHERE NO LIMITATION IS PRESCRIBED, AS IN SEC.201, ACTION MUS T BE INITIATED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY UNDER THE ACT WITHIN A P ERIOD OF FOUR YEARS. THE COURT ALSO HELD THAT DATE OF KNOWLEDGE I S NOT RELEVANT FOR PURPOSES OF EXERCISING JURISDICTION IN SO FAR THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT ARE CONCERNED AND ALSO THAT A CCEPTANCE OF LIABILITY BY ASSESSEE WOULD NOT, BY ITSELF, EXTEND PERIOD OF LIMITATION NOR WOULD IT EXTEND REASONABLE TIME. 5.9. THE APPLICANT ALSO CITED THE DECISION OF HON'B LE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF STATE OF PUNJAB & OTHERS VS BH ATINDA DISTT. COOP. MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD.11 SCC 363 SC (PAPER BOOK PAGES 55 TO 59) WHEREIN HON'BLE SUPREME COURT HELD 'IT IS TRITE THAT IF NO PERIOD OF LIMITATION HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED , STATUTORY AUTHORITY MUST EXERCISE ITS JURISDICTION WITHIN A R EASONABLE PERIOD. WHAT, HOWEVER, SHALL BE THE REASONABLE PERI OD WOULD DEPEND UPON THE NATURE OF THE STATUTE, RIGHTS AND L IABILITIES THEREUNDER AND OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS'. IN THE SAID CASE, ISSUE OF NOTICE AFTER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS WAS CONSIDERED NOT VALID. 5.10 THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED ON THE DECISION OF T HE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF C.I.T VS JAI LAXMI RIC E MILLS, AMBALA CITY 379 ITR 521 SC. (PAPER BOOK PAGES 60 TO 62) IN THE SAID CASE, THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT HELD THAT WHER E NO SATISFACTION WAS RECORDED FOR INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS, U/S.271E OF THE ACT, IMPUGNED PENALTY ORDER PASSED UNDER THE SAID SECTION DESERVED TO BE QUASHED. 5.11 THE THRUST OF THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE APPLICANT BEFORE THE HON'BLE ITAT WAS THAT THE INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S.271C WAS BEYOND REASONABLE PERIOD IN THE LIGHT OF THE VA RIOUS JUDICIAL PRONOUNCEMENTS RELIED ON BY THE APPLICANT BEFORE TH E HON'BLE ITAT AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE SAME, THE ORDER U/S.27 1C NEEDS TO BE QUASHED. THE APPLICANT HUMBLY SUBMITS THAT THE F INDING OF THE HON'BLE ITAT THAT THE SAID CASES ARE DISTINGUIS HABLE ON FACTS, WITHOUT STATING HOW THEY ARE DISTINGUISHABLE , CONSTITUTES MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THE APPLICANT PRAYS T HAT THE HON'BLE ITA.T MAY KINDLY RECALL THE ORDER AND RECTI FY THE MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. 6.1 THE APPLICANT RAISED AN ADDITIONAL GROUND WHICH READS AS UNDER: 1. THE LEARNED COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX(APPEAL) E RRED IN HOLDING THAT THE ADDL.C.IT(TDS) IS CORRECT IN LAW I N ASSUMING JURISDICTION AND LEVYING PENALTY U/S 271C OF THE AC T IN THE LIGHT OF HIS CLEAR FINDING THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS NOT BEEN TREATED AS DEFAULTER FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECTION 201(1) OF THE ACT. 6.2 THE APPLICANT, RELYING ON THE DECISION OF THE H ON'BLE ITAT, 'A' BENCH, HYDERABAD IN THE CASE OF ACIT VS GOOD HE ALTH PLAN LTD., (ITA 155/HYD/2013) PLEADED THAT SINCE THE D.C .LT, CIRCLE 2(1), HYDERABAD HELD IN HIS ORDER THAT THE ASSESSEE IS NOT IN MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 15 OF 18 DEFAULT IN RESPECT OF ANY AMOUNT BY WAY OF TDS IN R ESPECT OF THE NON-COMPETE FEE, THE APPLICANT IS NOT LIABLE TO BE PENALIZED U/S.271C OF THE ACT. THE APPLICANT ALSO RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF THE HON'BLE ITAT 'A' BENCH MUMBAI, IN THE CASE O F A.C.I.T VS AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BOMBAY EDUCATION TRUST_(I.T.A NO S.6349 TO 6351/MUM/2009 AND C.O. NOS. 141 TO 143/MUM/2010 DAT ED 31-01-2011). (PAPER BOOK PAGES 39 TO 43) IN THIS CA SE, THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T, 'A' BENCH, MUMBAI WAS ADJUDICATING UPON ORDERS PASSED BY C.LT (A) DELETING PENALTY IMPOSED U/S.271C OF THE ACT. IN THE SAID CASE, ORDERS U/S.201(1) & 2 01(LA) WERE PASSED BY D.C.LT (TDS). THEREAFTER PENALTY U/S.271C WAS LEVIED. WHEN THE PENALTY APPEAL CAME UP BEFORE THE C.LT (APPEALS), ASSESSEE CONTENDED THAT THE I/T.A.T HELD THAT THE INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS U/S.201(1) & 201(LA) IN T HE INSTANT YEARS WAS BEYOND THE PERIOD OF SIX YEARS AND HENCE BARRED BY LIMITATION. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE I.T.A.T H AS QUASHED THE ORDERS U/S.201(1) & 201(LA), THE C.LT (APPEALS) ORD ERED DELETION OF PENALTY U/S.271C OF THE ACT. AGAINST SU CH ORDER OF C.I.T (APPEALS), REVENUE CAME UP IN APPEAL BEFORE T HE LT.A.T. HON'BLE I.T.A.T HELD THAT WHERE THE ORDER U/S.201(1 ) AND 201(LA) IS SET ASIDE ON ACCOUNT OF LIMITATION, THE EFFECT IS THAT THE ASSESSEE IS NOT DEEMED TO BE IN DEFAULT IN RESPECT OF ANY FAILURE TO DEDUCT OR PAY TAX AT SOURCE AND IN SUCH CIRCUMST ANCES, THE QUESTION OF PENALTY U/S.271C CANNOT ARISE. SINCE TH E C.LT(APPEALS) HAS ORDERED FOR CANCELLATION OF PENAL TY ON THE BASIS OF ORDER OF THE LT.A.T, THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T R EFRAINED FROM CONSIDERING THE SUBMISSIONS BY BOTH SIDES ON MERITS AND THE ORDER OF THE C.LT(A) WAS UPHELD AND THE APPEALS OF REVENUE WERE DISMISSED. 6.3 IT IS ALSO SUBMITTED THAT THE HON'BLE ITAT IN T HE COMBINED ORDER DATED 29-112017 IN LT A.NO.546/HYD/2017 IN TH E ASSESSEE'S OWN CASE HELD THAT THE ORDER U/S.201(L) & 201(LA) PASSED BY THE O.C.I.T, (T05) IS BARRED BY LIMITATIO N. CONSEQUENTLY, THE RATIO OF THE DECISION OF THE HON' BLE I.T.A.T IN THE CASE OF GOOD HEALTH PLAN LTD., (SUPRA) AND AMER ICAN SCHOOL OF BOMBAY EDUCATION TRUST (SUPRA) SQUARELY APPLIES TO THE FACTS OF THE APPLICANT'S CASE. THE APPLICANT HUMBLY SUBMI TS THAT THE FINDING OF THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T THAT THE RELIED UPON BY APPLICANT'S COUNSEL ARE DISTINGUISHABLE ON FACTS, CONSTITUTES M ISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THE APPLICANT PRAYS THAT THE HON'BLE I.T.A.T MAY KINDLY RECALL THE ORDER AND RECTIFY THE MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. HYDERABAD 18-04-2018 10. THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE REITERATED THE SUBMISSIONS MADE IN THE APPLICATION, WHILE THE LEAR NED DR SUBMITTED THAT THERE WAS NO MISTAKE APPARENT FROM R ECORD FROM MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 16 OF 18 THE ORDER OF THE TRIBUNAL WHICH NEEDS ANY RECTIFICA TION. HE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE NON-CONSIDERATION, IF ANY, OF TH E ARGUMENTS OF THE ASSESSEE IS NOT A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD 11 HAVING REGARD TO THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS AND THE M ATERIAL ON RECORD, WE FIND THAT THE FIRST ALLEGED MISTAKE P OINTED OUT BY THE ASSESSEE IS THE FINDING OF THE TRIBUNAL IN PARA 13 OF ITS ORDER. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE RELEVANT PARAGRAPHS OF THE OR DERS OF THE ITAT IN ITA NO.26/HYD/2011, DATED 22.10.2014 IN THE ASSESSEES OWN CASE FOR THE A.Y 2008-09, WHEREIN THE ISSUE OF PAYMENT OF NON-COMPETE FEE WAS CONSIDERED. WE FIND THAT THE AS SESSEE HAD CLAIMED IT TO BE AN INTANGIBLE ASSET AND DEPRECIATI ON THEREON OR TO ALLOW IT AS DEFERRED REVENUE EXPENDITURE AND THE AO HAD REJECTED THE ASSESSEES CLAIM MAINLY ON THE GROUND THAT GENU INENESS OF THE PAYMENT IS NOT PROVED AND THAT NON-COMPETE FEE IS N OT AN INTANGIBLE ASSET AND THEREFORE, DEPRECIATION THEREO N IS NOT ALLOWABLE. IT WAS IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE T RIBUNAL HAD REMITTED THE ISSUE TO THE FILE OF THE AO FOR DECIDI NG AFRESH AND ALSO TO DECIDE THE ALLOWABILITY OF DEPRECIATION CLAIMED ON SUCH NON- COMPETE FEE. HOWEVER, IN THE ORDER OF THE TRIBUNAL AGAINST THE PENALTY U/S 271C FOR THE A.Y 2008-09, IT HAS BEEN H ELD THAT THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THE NON-COMPETE FEE IS THE BUSINESS EXPENDITURE OF THE ASSESSEE, HAS BEEN UPHE LD. THIS FINDING IS THUS AN ERRONEOUS RECORDING OF FACTS AND THEREFORE, THERE IS A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THEREFORE, WE DEEM IT NECESSARY TO MODIFY PARA 13 AS UNDER: 13.. (HUF)HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO BE VERIFIED BY THE TRIBUNAL IN THE ASSESSEES OWN CASE FOR A.Y 2008-09 IN THE QUANTUM APPEAL AND THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE T O ALLOW DEPRECIATION ON NON-COMPETE FEE OR ALTERNATIVELY TO ALLOW IT AS MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 17 OF 18 DEFERRED REVENUE EXPENDITURE HAS NOT BEEN ACCEPTED. THE LIABILITY OF THE ASSESSEE TO DEDUCT TAX AT SOURCE WOULD ARISE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NATURE OF THE PAYMENT AS IT CLEARLY ATTRACTS TH E PROVISION OF SECTION 194J OF THE ACT. HOWEVER, UNLESS THE GENUIN ENESS OF THE PAYMENT IS DECIDED, IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT IT IS TA XABLE IN THE HANDS OF THE RECIPIENT AND ONLY IF IT IS TAXABLE, D O THE TDS PROVISIONS GET ATTRACTED. 12. AS FAR AS THE SECOND ALLEGED MISTAKE POINTED OU T BY THE ASSESSEE IS CONCERNED, WE FIND THAT THE AO INIT IATED THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS AFTER A LAPSE OF MORE THAN 6 YEARS AND THEREFORE, IT IS THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE THAT IT I S BARRED BY LIMITATION OF A REASONABLE PERIOD. THE APPELLANT HA S RELIED UPON VARIOUS CASE LAW IN SUPPORT OF THIS CONTENTION. IN ALL THESE CASES, THE COURTS HAVE HELD THAT WHERE THERE IS NO LIMITAT ION PERIOD PRESCRIBED UNDER THE ACT, THE AO WAS REQUIRED TO IN ITIATE/PASS THE ORDER WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD AND NON-SPECIFICAT ION FOR PERIOD OF LIMITATION WOULD NOT MEAN THAT THE AO CAN WAIT F OR INDEFINITE PERIOD. ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSEE, 4 YEARS IS A REA SONABLE PERIOD. 13. ANOTHER CONTENTION RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE IS TH AT THE ASSESSEE WAS NOT TREATED AS AN ASSESSEE IN DEFAULT U/S 201(1) OF THE ACT AND THEREFORE, THERE WAS NO SCOPE FOR LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271C OF THE ACT. THE TRIBUNAL, AFTER CONSIDERING TH E ARGUMENTS OF THE ASSESSEE, HAS HELD THAT THE FACTS OF THE CASES RELIED UPON BY THE ASSESSEE ARE DISTINGUISHABLE IN FACTS FROM THE FACTS OF THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE. ACCORDING TO THE LEARNED COUNSEL F OR THE ASSESSEE, THE TRIBUNAL OUGHT TO HAVE GONE THROUGH T HE DECISIONS RELIED UPON BY THE ASSESSEE AND DUE TO NON-CONSIDER ATION OR NON- MA NOS 37 AND 49 OF 2018 USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD HYDERABAD. PAGE 18 OF 18 DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CASE LAW SUBMITTED BY THE ASSE SSEE, THERE IS A MISTAKE APPARENT FROM RECORD. THE DECISIONS RELIE D UPON BY THE ASSESSEE ARE THE SAME AS IN MA NO.49/HYD/2018 AND F OR CONSIDERING THEM, WE HAVE SET ASIDE THE ORDER IN TH E APPEAL. SINCE THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES IN THIS APPEAL ARE ALSO SIMILAR, WE SET ASIDE THE ORDER IN ITA NO.547/HYD/2017 AND DIRECT T HE REGISTRY TO REFIX THE APPEAL FOR HEARING ALONG WITH ITA NO.546/ HYD/2017 ACCORDINGLY FOR FRESH HEARING. 14. IN THE RESULT, MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS FILED BY THE ASSESSEE ARE ALLOWED. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 18 TH APRIL, 2019. SD/- SD/- (S.RIFAUR RAHMAN) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER (P. MADHAVI DEVI) JUDICIAL MEMBER HYDERABAD, DATED 18 TH APRIL, 2019. VINODAN/SPS COPY TO: 1 M/S. USHODAYA ENTERPRISES P LTD, EENADU BUILDING, RAMOJI FILM CITY, ANAJPUR VILLAGE, RANGA REDDY 501512 2 ADDL.CIT (TDS) TDS RANGE-2, HYDERABAD 3 CIT (A)-8 HYDERABAD 4 CIT TDS, HYDERABAD 5 THE DR, ITAT HYDERABAD 6 GUARD FILE BY ORDER