IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Rajiv Shakdher, Girish Kathpalia, JJ.
Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-7, Delhi – Appellant
Versus
Xerox India Ltd. (Previously Known As Xerox Modicorp Ltd.) – Respondent
ITA 431 of 2023
Decided On : 07-08-2023
Condonation of Delay - Income Tax Appeal - The court allowed the condonation of delay in filing and re-filing the appeal based on the period of delay and the stand taken by the respondent's counsel.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant sought condonation of delay in filing the appeal concerning Assessment Year 2009-10. The court found that the proposed questions of law were covered against the appellant by previous decisions.
Finding of the Court:
The court concluded that no substantial question of law arose for consideration in the instant appeal and accordingly closed the appeal.
Issues: The issues included the condonation of delay, rejection of AMP adjustment, classification of AMP as an international transaction, and the deletion of disallowance of depreciation on de-capitalized assets.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the previous decisions that covered the proposed questions of law against the appellant.
Final Decision: The appeal was closed as the court found no substantial question of law for consideration.
JUDGMENT
[Physical Hearing/Hybrid Hearing (as per request)]
Rajiv Shakdher, J. (Oral)
CM APPL. 39891/2023
1. Allowed, subject to just exceptions.
CM APPL.39892/2023 [Application filed on behalf of the appellant/revenue seeking condonation of delay of 14 days in filing the appeal] CM APPL.39893/2023 [Application filed on behalf of the appellant/revenue seeking condonation of delay of 34 days in re-filing the appeal]
2. These are applications filed on behalf of the appellant seeking condonation of delay in filing and re-filing the appeal.
3. According to the appellant/revenue, there is a delay of 14 days in filing the appeal and 34 days in re-filling the appeal.
4. Counsel for the respondent/assesee says that he would have no objection if the delay is condoned.
5. Having regard to the period of delay and the stand taken by the counsel for the respondent/assessee, we are inclined to condone the delay.
5.1. It is ordered accordingly.
6. The applications shall stand disposed of, in the aforesaid terms.
ITA 431/2023
7. This appeal concerns Assessment Year (AY) 2009-10.
8. Via, this appeal the appellant/revenue seeks to assail the order dated 19.10.2022 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal [in short, "Tribunal].
9. The following questions of law are proposed for consideration by this Court:
"A. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT is justified in its decision to reject AMP adjustment using BLT method by placing reliance on the assessee's own case for AY 2008-09 when the matter is pending before Apex Court on the issue of AMP?
B. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT is perverse in holding that AMP does not constitute an "international transaction" when the issue of AMP has been ruled as an international transaction in the case of M/s Sony Ericsson Mobile Communication Pvt. Ltd. by Hon'ble Delhi High Court [(2015) 374 ITR 118 (Del)]?
C. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Hon'ble ITAT was justified in holding that the Bright Line Test was not mandated in law and hence impermissible without considering the fact that the BLT was not used as a method to determine the price but only as an economic tool to arrive at the cost of services rendered to the foreign enterprise by the Indian entity and the TPO has the mandate to `determine' such `cost' as a primary step in ALP determination?
D. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Hon'ble ITAT is justified in holding that the AMP cannot be inferred to be international transaction in the absence of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between the taxpayer and its AE ignoring Section 92F(v) of the Act?
E. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the ITAT was justified in holding that AMP does not constitute an "international transaction" without appreciating that the jurisdictional High Court in the case of Sony Ericsson (supra) has held that AMP is an international transaction?
F. Whether on the facts and circumstances of this case, Hon'ble ITAT was justified to adjudicate on the issues involved in the instant case relying upon the decisions of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of Sony Ericsson (supra), CIT Vs Whirlpool of India Ltd. (2016) 381 ITR 154 (Delhi) and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Vs CIT (2015) taxamnn.com 150 (Delhi) when the matter is still sub-judice before the Hon'ble Apex Court?
G. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the present case the ITAT was justified in deleting the disallowance of depreciation amounting to Rs. 37,54,845/- on de-capitalized assets?"
10. It is not disputed by Mr Puneet Rai, learned senior standing counsel, who appears on behalf of appellant/revenue, that the questions of law i.e., A to F, as proposed, are covered against the appellant/revenue by the decision of the coordinate bench in Bausch & Lomb Eyecare (India) Pvt. Ltd. vs Addl. CIT 2015 SCC Online Del 14382.
11. This decision has been followed by anothe
The court's decision emphasized that no substantial question of law arose for consideration, leading to the dismissal of the appeals.
The principle of condonation of delay and the requirement for a substantial question of law to arise for consideration in an appeal.
The absence of substantial question of law can lead to the closure of appeals.
The circulars issued by CBDT at the relevant time are binding on the appellant/revenue, and the Tribunal's decision was based on the circular in force at the time.
Clarity in penalty notices and the debatable nature of issues at the relevant time can influence the imposition of penalties.
The court's decision was based on the lack of substantial question of law arising for consideration and the coverage of the issue by a previous court decision.
The court's decision was influenced by its previous ruling on a similar issue, indicating the importance of consistency in judicial decisions.
The court's decision was based on the absence of a substantial question of law for consideration in the appeal.
The Bright Line Test (BLT) has no statutory mandate and should not be applied to separate 'routine' and 'non-routine' AMP or brand building exercise.
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