Condonation of delay denied where revenue gave no sufficient cause and the assessee lost a statutory settlement option.

A delay of 331 days in filing the revenue appeal was not condoned because no sufficient cause was shown for the inordinate delay. The court considered the explanation offered and the prejudice to the assessee, including loss of the opportunity to exercise the statutory option under the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 within time. On that basis, the delay was held unjustified and the request for condonation was rejected.

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Issues: Whether the revenue had shown sufficient cause to condone the delay of 331 days in filing the appeal and whether the delay should be excused despite the prejudice caused to the assessee.

Analysis: The delay was considered in the light of the explanation furnished by the revenue and the prejudice occasioned to the assessee by the late filing. The Court found that no reason had been assigned to justify the inordinate delay and that the delay had deprived the assessee of the opportunity to avail the statutory option under the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 within time.

Conclusion: The revenue failed to establish sufficient cause for condonation of delay, and the delay was not condoned.

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