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2019 (3) TMI 1985 - MADRAS HIGH COURTOffence punishable u/s 277 - as alleged petitioner did not disclose his money lending and chit business in his returns of income and declared false statement of returns of income filed in his individual capacity and wilfully under reported the income earned by the petitioner - HELD THAT:- The concept of mens rea is integral to criminal jurisprudence and offence cannot be committed intentionally. Section 278 (E) of the Taxation Laws places burden of proving the option of mens rea upon the accused and also provides that such absence need to be proved not only to the basic threshold of “preponderance of possibility” but beyond reasonable doubt. In every prosecution case, the court shall always presume culpable mental state and it is for the accused to prove the contrary beyond reasonable doubt. In the present case, it is evident from the complaint that the petitioner did not disclose his income to the tune of Rs.35 crores for the assessment years 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-12, 2012-2013, 2013- 2014 and 2014-2015. The petitioner wilfully made false statement of return of income and wilfully under reported the income earned. Therefore, the entire proceedings cannot be quashed on the grounds raised by the petitioner as stated supra. The petitioner has to prove the contrary beyond reasonable doubt before the trial court and the trial court has to enquire the complaint independently on the basis of the evidence as such these petitions are liable to be dismissed.
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