S. 254(2A): Appellate Tribunal – Extension of stay -Guidelines specified to ensure expeditious hearing of cases referred to Special Benches and Third Members- Inordinate delay in fixation of hearing of Special Bench & Third Member cases is inappropriate and contrary to the scheme of the Act. It also reduces the efficacy and utility of the mechanism to deal with important matters-Guide lines referred in the order are , (a) Wherever special benches are constituted, the special benches shall, as far as possible, commence hearing within 120 days of the benches being constituted. (b) It is only in exceptional circumstances that the adjournment may be granted, at the instance of the either party, in Special Benches and Third Member cases, and the hearing of such matters should be scheduled by the registry in due consultation with both the parties. Even when adjournment is granted, it shall not be generally granted beyond 30 days. (c) The guidelines shall also be followed with respect to Third Member cases, and the Registry will take up the matter with the respective benches, for scheduling the hearing, in terms of the above guidelines. [ S. 92, 254(1) ]
Doshi Accounting Services Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT (2019)175 ITD 1/ 173 DTR 169/ 197 TTJ 273 (SB) (Ahd)(Trib) www.itatonline.org