SC raps government for delay in filing tax appeals

New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court today came down heavily on the Union Government for its casual attitude in filing appeals and dismissed six appeals filed by the Income Tax department on grounds of inordinate delay.

A Bench headed by Justice S H Kapadia sought an explanation from the department for delay of 300 to 400 days in filing the appeals and pulled up the government, which is the biggest litigant in the country, for an irresponsible and casual approach towards the recovery of taxes thereby causing heavy losses to the state exchequer.

The development apparently exposed the gap between the government policy of widening the tax net while the petitions of the government were dismissed not on merit but on grounds of delay and laches.

Justice Kapadia was badly annoyed when the department cousel failed to offer any explanation for the delay.

UNI SC RC RP PM1850