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Issues Involved:
1. Validity of the memorandum of appeal signed by an authorized representative instead of the appellant. 2. Tribunal's refusal to admit the appeal based on the defective memorandum. 3. Interpretation of statutory requirements for filing an appeal. 4. Tribunal's application of procedural rules and inherent powers. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Validity of the Memorandum of Appeal Signed by an Authorized Representative Instead of the Appellant: The appellant, Mr. Sheonath Singh, filed a memorandum of appeal on the 30th of September, 1954, signed and verified by his authorized representative, Mr. S.K. Ray, as Mr. Singh was in England. A revised memorandum was filed on the 13th of October, 1954, which was verified by Mr. Singh but signed by Mr. Ray. Finally, on the 14th of December, 1954, Mr. Singh signed both memoranda at all required places. The Tribunal rejected the appeal, citing the absence of the appellant's signature as a material defect. The court noted that the form prescribed under rule 22 requires the appellant to sign and verify the memorandum. The court rejected the argument that the form could be signed by either the appellant or the authorized representative, emphasizing that the appellant must sign the memorandum in addition to verifying it. 2. Tribunal's Refusal to Admit the Appeal Based on the Defective Memorandum: The Tribunal refused to admit the appeal, stating that the absence of the appellant's signature was a material defect and that no application for condonation of delay was filed. The court criticized the Tribunal's view, stating that if the appeal was no appeal at all, there could be nothing to dismiss. The court clarified that the Tribunal misunderstood the legal implications of the defect, which was procedural rather than jurisdictional. 3. Interpretation of Statutory Requirements for Filing an Appeal: The court examined section 33(3) of the Income-tax Act and rule 22 of the Rules framed by the Central Board of Revenue. The court emphasized that the form requires the appellant to sign and verify the memorandum. The court rejected the argument that the form could be signed by the authorized representative alone, noting that the appellant must handle the document personally for verification and signature. The court highlighted that procedural rules, although mandatory in language, have been treated as directory by courts, allowing for amendments to cure defects. 4. Tribunal's Application of Procedural Rules and Inherent Powers: The court criticized the Tribunal for not exercising its inherent powers to allow amendments to the memorandum. The court cited precedents where defects in signatures were treated as procedural irregularities, curable at any stage. The court noted that the Tribunal had the power to accept the memoranda with the subsequent amendments and that the defects did not affect the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. The court emphasized that procedural rules should not obstruct justice and that the Tribunal erred in treating the defects as fatal. Conclusion: The court held that the Tribunal was not justified in refusing to admit the appeal based on the defective memoranda. The defects were procedural irregularities, curable by the Tribunal, and did not affect its jurisdiction. The court answered the referred question in the negative, allowing the assessee the costs of the reference.
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