Rejection of declaration u/s 5 of the Direct Tax Vivad Se...

Rejection of declaration u/s 5 of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 (‘VSV Scheme’) - Case was pending or not - there remains no shadow of doubt that appeal could be said to be pending, even if the delay occurred in filing the same was not condoned and even if it was allegedly irregular or incompetent. In the instant case therefore also, the Respondent could not have rejected the Declaration Form of the Petitioner filed under the said Act merely on the ground that the Appeal was not valid or competent, as the delay occurred in filing the Appeal was not condoned by the Appellate Authority. - HC