Sumit Kumar Bagra, New Delhi vs Assessee
- CitationITA No.623/Del/2014
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The Tribunal may dismiss an appeal for non-prosecution where, on the date fixed for hearing, neither the assessee nor any representative appears, no adjournment application has been filed, and the notice of hearing has not been returned unserved; in such circumstances the non-appearance is taken to show that the assessee is not interested in pursuing the appeal, and the appeal is dismissed on that ground.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order passed by the
CIT(A) on 29.11.2013 in relation to Assessment Year 2006-07.
2. When the matter was called up for hearing today, no one has appeared
on behalf of the assessee. The assessee has also not filed any adjournment
application. The notice of hearing sent to the assessee has not been returned ITA No.623/Del/2014 2
unserved. In these circumstances, it appears that the assessee is not
interested in prosecuting his appeal. The appeal filed by the assessee is,
therefore, liable to be dismissed, for non-prosecution. Our above view
finds support from the following decisions:-
1. CIT vs. B.N. Bhattachargee & anr.', 118 ITR 461, wherein their Lordships have held:
"The appeal does not mean merely filing of the appeal but effectively pursuing it."
2. Estate of late Tukojirao Holkar vs. CWT', 223 ITR 480 (M.P.), wherein, while dismissing the reference made at the instance of the assessee in default, their Lordships made the following observation:-
"If the party, at whose instance the reference is made, fails to appear at the hearing, or fails in taking steps for preparation of the reference, the court is not bound to answer the reference."
3. Commissioner of Income-tax vs. Multiplan India (P.) Ltd', 38 ITD 320 (Del.),wherein the appeal filed by the revenue before the Tribunal, was fixed for hearing. But on the date of hearing nobody represented the revenue/appellant nor any communication for adjournment was received. There was no communication or information as to why the revenue chose to remain absent on that date. The Tribunal on the basis of inherent powers, treated the appeal filed by the revenue as unadmitted in view of the provision of Rule 19 of the Appellate Rules, 1963.
ITA No.623/Del/2014 3 3. In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is dismissed for non-
prosecution.
The decision was pronounced in the open court on 17th June, 2015.
Sd/-
(R.S. SYAL) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
Dated: 17th June, 2015.
dk
Copy forwarded to
1. Appellant
2. Respondent
3. CIT
4. CIT(A)
5. DR Dy. Registrar, ITAT, New Delhi
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