Timely pronouncement of ITAT orders is mandatory, with Rule 34 permitting delay beyond 60 days only exceptionally.

Rule 34 requires the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal to pronounce orders within 60 days where no pronouncement date is fixed after hearing, with an extension up to an outer limit of 90 days only in exceptional and extraordinary circumstances that make timely pronouncement impracticable. Repeatedly releasing argued and reserved matters without judgment causes unjustified litigation hardship. The Tribunal must fix a pronouncement date and comply with the prescribed timeline. The pending appeal was directed to be decided by the specified date, and all Income Tax Appellate Tribunals were directed to scrupulously follow Rule 34.

---

---

Issues: Whether the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal must comply with the prescribed timeline for pronouncement of orders after conclusion of hearing.

Analysis: Rule 34 requires an order to be pronounced within 60 days where no pronouncement date is given, with a further period not ordinarily exceeding 30 days only where exceptional and extraordinary circumstances make timely pronouncement impracticable. Releasing matters without pronouncing judgment after they have been argued and reserved repeatedly imposes unjustified litigation hardship. The Tribunal must fix a pronouncement date and adhere to the 60-day period, or at the latest the 90-day outer period in exceptional cases.

Conclusion: The Tribunal was directed to deliver the judgment in the petitioner's pending appeal by 13 August 2026, and all Income Tax Appellate Tribunals were directed to scrupulously comply with Rule 34.

---