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Penalty proceedings under section 18(1)(c) of the Wealth Tax Act for failure to file wealth tax returns, applicability of Explanation 3 to section 18(1)(c) for concealment of assets, retrospective application of provisions, interpretation of time limits under section 17A, and recomputation of penalties based on wealth concealed. Analysis: 1. The judgment involves four appeals, two by the assessee and two by the department, concerning penalty proceedings initiated under section 18(1)(c) of the Wealth Tax Act due to the assessee's failure to file wealth tax returns initially. The Central Wealth Tax (CWT) (Appeals) directed the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal (IAC) to modify the penalty orders based on the wealth tax sought to be evaded by the assessee. The dispute primarily revolves around the applicability of Explanation 3 to section 18(1)(c) for concealment of assets, added with effect from 1-4-1976, to assessment years 1970-71 and 1972-73. 2. The Explanation 3 to section 18(1)(c) deems a person to have concealed assets if they fail to furnish a wealth tax return without reasonable cause. The judgment emphasizes that penalties were levied based on this explanation, which was not in effect during the relevant assessment years. The assessee's contention, supported by legal precedents, argues against the retrospective application of provisions and highlights that penalties were for concealment, not delay in filing returns. 3. The judgment delves into the interpretation of time limits under section 17A of the Wealth Tax Act, indicating that the provision applied only to assessment years after 1975-76. Therefore, the assessee could file wealth tax returns at any time, making the Explanation 3 inapplicable to the assessee for the relevant assessment years. 4. Additionally, sub-section (3A) of section 18 limits the maximum penalty for concealing wealth, indicating that the provision was not intended for assessment years before 1976-77. The judgment underscores that the Explanation applies only to assesses not issued notices under specific sections of the Wealth Tax Act, which differs from the assessee's case where returns were filed in response to a notice under section 17. 5. The judgment concludes that the penalties cannot be levied on the assessee as the time limit for assessments under section 17A had not lapsed when the returns were filed. The departmental appeals, seeking recomputation of penalties based on concealed wealth, are deemed infructuous due to the inapplicability of Explanation 3. Consequently, some appeals are allowed, while others are dismissed based on the detailed analysis provided by the Tribunal.
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