2003 (8) TMI 11 - HC - Income Tax

Reference to HC - Held that it is not mandatory for this court when once it is made that it may not proceed to answer the question or questions stated in the reference and to decide it though the same may be of purely academic interest and unnecessary to decide the real controversy - In such circumstances where the question is only academic or is unnecessary or it does not completely resolve the controversy, this court may ultimately refuse to answer the question or questions. - Held that it is not necessary to answer the questions referred by the Tribunal for our opinion because the answer to these questions will be purely academic and it may be an exercise in futility to answer these questions and remit the case back to the Tribunal. We, therefore, decline to answer the questions referred by the Tribunal

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the statement made by Shri Gopaldas on October 14, 1987, was in the course of search in the case of the assessee-firm?
2. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the assessee was entitled to immunity under Explanation 5 to section 271(1)(c) and consequently canceling the penalty of Rs. 1,68,000?
3. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the difference in stock was only on account of valuation notwithstanding the fact that there was a difference in the quantity of stock found?

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Statement Made by Shri Gopaldas:
The Tribunal concluded that the search was not complete until October 14, 1987, and thus the statement made by Shri Gopaldas on this date was considered to be in the course of the search. The Tribunal interpreted the phrase "in the course of the search" in clause (2) of Explanation 5 to section 271(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, not too technically or narrowly. It was observed that the search process includes steps before the commencement of proceedings under section 132(5), and the immediate previous step is search and seizure during which a person may be examined under section 132(4).

2. Immunity Under Explanation 5 to Section 271(1)(c):
The Tribunal analyzed the provisions of Explanation 5 to section 271(1)(c) and concluded that the assessee was entitled to immunity. It was held that the disclosure made by Shri Gopaldas before the process under section 132(5) commenced was sufficient to earn the immunities provided under Explanation 5. The Tribunal noted that the search operations and the statement made by Shri Gopaldas were part of the same continuous process, thereby granting the assessee immunity from penalty.

3. Difference in Stock Valuation:
The Tribunal found that the difference in stock was primarily due to valuation differences and not due to discrepancies in quantity. It was recorded that the stock valuation by the Department was based on market rates as of the search dates, whereas the assessee maintained stock accounts at cost. The Tribunal observed that the Department failed to provide material evidence of undisclosed income, and the surrender of Rs. 3,20,000 by the assessee was due to constant pestering by the Department. Consequently, the Tribunal declined to refer this question to the High Court, considering it a question of fact rather than law.

Final Judgment:
The High Court noted that the penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c) was set aside by the Tribunal on two grounds. The Tribunal's finding on the merits, which held the penalty unsustainable, was not challenged by the Revenue, and no application was filed under section 256(2) for a direction to refer question No. 3. The High Court emphasized that deciding the referred questions would be purely academic and would not affect the final outcome, as the Tribunal's decision on the merits had attained finality. Citing the Supreme Court's observations in CIT v. Smt. Anusuya Devi, the High Court declined to answer the questions referred, considering them unnecessary and irrelevant to the real controversy. The reference was returned unanswered.