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Issues involved: Interpretation of whether there was reasonable and sufficient cause for the delay in filing the income tax return for the assessment year 1969-70.
Judgment Summary: The case involved a reference by the Revenue regarding the Tribunal's decision on whether there was reasonable cause for the delay in filing the income tax return for the assessment year 1969-70. The assessee, a partner in a firm, filed the return late, leading to penalty proceedings under section 271(1)(a) of the Act. The Income-tax Officer and the Appellate Assistant Commissioner imposed a penalty, but the Tribunal overturned this decision based on the explanation provided by the assessee. The assessee's explanation for the delay was a bona fide belief that as the firm had been assessed as an unregistered firm in previous years, no return was required for the relevant assessment year. The Tribunal accepted this explanation as constituting sufficient cause for the delay, emphasizing that it was a factual finding rather than a legal question. The Revenue contended that the burden of proof was erroneously placed on them by the Tribunal, but the High Court disagreed. The Tribunal correctly held that the burden was on the assessee to show sufficient cause, which was done by demonstrating the bona fide belief. The Revenue failed to rebut this explanation with evidence of contumacious or deliberate conduct. Ultimately, the High Court upheld the Tribunal's decision, stating that based on the factual findings, the assessee had shown sufficient cause for the delay in filing the return. The reference was answered in the affirmative, affirming the Tribunal's conclusion. No costs were awarded in this matter.
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