COURT: | ITAT Mumbai |
CORAM: | Mahavir Singh (JM), Ramit Kochar (AM) |
SECTION(S): | 254(2), Rule 34(5)(c) |
GENRE: | Domestic Tax |
CATCH WORDS: | delay |
COUNSEL: | Pradeep N. Kapasi |
DATE: | May 11, 2018 (Date of pronouncement) |
DATE: | May 15, 2018 (Date of publication) |
AY: | 2007-08 |
FILE: | Click here to view full post with file download link |
CITATION: | |
S. 254(2) r.w Rule 34(5): Excessive delay by the Tribunal in passing judgement shakes the confidence of the litigants. Under Rule 34(5) of the Tribunal Rules read with Shivsagar Veg. Restaurant 317 ITR 433 (Bom) & Otters Club (Bom), orders have to be passed invariably within three months of the completion of hearing of the case. The delay is incurable. Even administrative clearance cannot cure the delay. Such decisions rendered after 3 months reflect a mistake apparant from the record and have to be recalled and the appeals heard afresh |
Nevertheless, we think that an unreasonable delay between hearing of arguments and delivery of a judgment, unless explained by exceptional or extraordinary circumstances, is highly undesirable even when written arguments are submitted. It is not unlikely that some points which the litigant considers important may have escaped notice. But, what is more important is that litigants must have complete confidence in the results of litigation. This confidence tends to be shaken if there is excessive delay between hearing of arguments and delivery of judgments. Justice, as we have often observed, must not only be done but must manifestly appear to be done.
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