Ramesh Pejathaya v. CBDT(2023) 295 Taxman 426/ (2024) 337 CTR 99 (Mad.)(HC)

Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 ( 2020) 422 ITR 121 ( St)

S. 3 : Amount payable by the declarant -Time and manner of payment- Amount recovered attaching the bank account – Authorities concerned directed to refund excess amount recovered and accept the declaration as per the law . .[ S. 5, Art. 226 ]

Assessee opted for Vivad se Vishwas Scheme . The application was accepted and assessee was directed to pay a sum of Rs. 1 crore by 30-9-2021.  Bank account of assessee was attached by Income-tax department on 2-8-2021 and revenue appropriated Rs. 93 lakhs by encashing cheques leaving a balance of Rs. 7 lakhs .  Thereafter, revenue appropriated from assessee’s bank Rs. 17 lakhs on ground that balance amount of Rs. 7 lakhs was not appropriated by due date . On writ  the Court held  that the assessee’s account was attached by Income tax department and assessee had surplus of amount to meet out liability under scheme, there would be no justification in recovering amount in excess of which was to be paid when Rs. 93 lakhs was recovered by assessee on or before 30-9-2021.  Only Rs. 7 lakhs was payable, balance amount after appropriation was to be refunded to assessee . Accordingly  the writ petition is allowed by directing the revenue to refund a sum of Rs. 9.32 lakhs as expeditiously as possible and  accept the declation as per the law .  (AY. 2012-13)(SJ)