Delay in Filing Income Tax Return Condoned Under Section 80IBA for Genuine Hardship and Meritorious Claims

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....The HC allowed the petition and set aside the impugned order rejecting condonation of delay in filing the Return of Income for A.Y. 2024-25. The court held that reliance on professional advice does not preclude genuine hardship or errors causing delay. It clarified that proof of deduction claim under section 80IBA is not required at the condonation stage but during assessment, which depends on acceptance of the return. The court emphasized a liberal interpretation of "genuine hardship," noting refusal to condone delay could unjustly bar a meritorious claim. Condoning the delay enables adjudication on merits rather than dismissal on technical grounds. Consequently, the delay in filing the return was condoned to prevent substantial prejudice to the petitioner's rights.....