2004 (6) TMI 17 - HC - Income Tax

Jurisdiction of the High Court - This is an application under section 5 of the Limitation Act 1963 for condonation of delay - assessment had reached finality before the learned Tribunal in another State namely Bombay The assessment for the concerned previous year reached its finality in another State over which the Tribunal and the High Court of that State had jurisdiction - Held that this court cannot assume jurisdiction in respect of the matters reaching finality before the Tribunal in another State subject to the jurisdiction of the High Court of that State. - we grant liberty to the assessee to present the appeal before the jurisdictional High Court exercising jurisdiction over the Tribunal which has passed the order appealed against

Summary

Issues:
1. Condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963 for an appeal against an order passed by the Appellate Tribunal at Mumbai.
2. Jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to the finality of assessment in another State.
3. Interpretation of Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 regarding the jurisdiction of the High Court for appeals.

Analysis:
1. The judgment deals with an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963, seeking condonation of delay for an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order by the Appellate Tribunal at Mumbai. The court examined the maintainability of the appeal before addressing the delay issue. Section 260A allows appeals to the High Court from orders of the Appellate Tribunal. The High Court defined in Section 269 for each State is the appropriate forum for such appeals. Therefore, the appeal in this case would lie with the High Court at Bombay, where the Appellate Tribunal passed the order.

2. The jurisdiction of the High Court was questioned concerning the finality of assessment in another State. The applicant argued that since the assessment for subsequent years was being conducted in the current State, the High Court had jurisdiction. However, the court held that when an order is finalized by a Tribunal in another State, the jurisdiction lies with the High Court of that State. Referring to a previous decision, the court emphasized that assuming jurisdiction in such cases would lead to judicial impropriety and irregularity. Therefore, the High Court cannot assume jurisdiction over matters finalized by a Tribunal in another State.

3. The judgment emphasized the importance of jurisdictional propriety and adherence to legal procedures. It clarified that the High Court's jurisdiction for appeals is defined by Section 269, which corresponds to the State where the Appellate Tribunal operates. The court highlighted that decisions of a High Court are binding on the Tribunal, regardless of the area of operation. In this case, the High Court at Bombay was the appropriate forum for the appeal. The judgment granted the applicant the liberty to present the appeal before the jurisdictional High Court within a specified timeframe.

In conclusion, the judgment clarified the jurisdictional boundaries of the High Court concerning appeals from orders of the Appellate Tribunal, emphasizing the importance of legal propriety and adherence to established procedures.