2024 (7) TMI 1381 - SCH - Income Tax

Supreme Court Dismisses Petition, Upholds Lower Court Decision Without Interference.

The Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition, choosing not to interfere with the High Court's impugned judgment and order. The delay in filing ... Offence punishable u/s 276B - delay in depositing the TDS amount in the account of the Opposite Party (Complainant) ranging from 31 days to 214 days - COVID-19 Pandemic Effects - Reasonable and sufficient cause - As decided by HC [2023 (11) TMI 447 - ORISSA HIGH COURT] present complaint is vitiated as the failure on the part of the Petitioners to comply within the provision of law as to deposit of the deducted TDS was on account of the reasonable causes for the prevalence of COVID-19 Pandemic standing on their way. The order of sanction thus being found to have been passed without due application of mind and in a mechanical manner even putting the blame upon the Petitioners for not filing any exemption/ relaxation notifications / circulars, the same stands vitiated. The Court below in the facts and circumstances ought not to have taken cognizance of the offence u/s 279B, section 2(35) and 278(B) of the I.T. Act when even the latter two are no penal provisions and as such is bad in law and liable to be set aside.Revision is allowed - HELD THAT:- Delay condoned. We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment and order of the High Court. The Special Leave Petition is, accordingly, dismissed. The Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition and did not interfere with the impugned judgment and order of the High Court. The delay was condoned, and any pending applications were disposed of.