M/S Liberty India vs Commr.Of Income Tax,Karnal on 31 August, 2009
13. Since we have already allowed the disallowance of pro rata
interest of Rs. 1,14,777/-, therefore, penalty u/s 271(1)(c) on such
disallowance is directed to be deleted. In so far as the levy of penalty of
Rs. 12,51,129/- on amount of disallowance u/s 80IB of Rs.
37,16,961/-for deduction u/s 80IB on Duty Drawback/DEPB, the
relevant facts and background has already been discussed above. The
assessee's claim of deduction u/s 80IB on Duty Drawback/DEPB at
the time of filing of return was then supported by various judgments of
the Tribunal which was also confirmed by the Hon'ble Jurisdictional
High court as discussed in the earlier part of the order. Thus, at the
time of filing of return of income there could not be any furnishing of
inaccurate particulars of income, because till the time of passing of
assessment order on 16.12.2009, there was a binding precedent of
Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court by way of judgment in the case of
CIT vs. M/s. Mittal Overseas dated 13.5.2008. It was much later on
that Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court decided this issue against the
assessee and in favour of the revenue. Under these circumstances it
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cannot be held that the assessee's claim at the time of filing of return
of income was either not correct or was not bonafide. The Ld. AO had
relied upon the judgment of Liberty India vs. CIT (2009) 317 ITR 218
(SC) held that such a claim was not allowable even at the time of filing
of return of income.