JUDGMENT

Manmohan, J. - Present writ petition has been filed seeking refund of Rs.57,65,410/-, which was recovered in excess of 20% of the total disputed tax demand, for the assessment Year 2012-13 against the refund due for the assessment Year 2020-21. Petitioner also seeks a direction to the respondents to expeditiously decide the appeal filed against the order dated 27th November, 2019 under Section 144 of the Income Tax act, 1961 [for short 'the act'].

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner states that under Section 220(6) of the act, the assessing Officer has been conferred with the power to grant stay on recovery of outstanding tax demand subject to fulfilment of appropriate conditions. He states that in order to provide guidance and lay down principles regarding stay of demand, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued various Circulars/ Notification from time to time including Office Memorandums dated 29th February, 2016 and 31st July, 2017, prescribing therein that in such cases where an assessee challenges the additions/ disallowances made in the assessment order by way of an appeal before the first appellate authority, i.e., CIT(a), and during pendency thereof deposits