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2019 (2) TMI 177 - HC - Income TaxApplication u/s 119(2)(b) - condoning the delay in filing a refund application - Held that:- The court is of the opinion that an assessee has to take leave of its senses if it deliberately wishes to forego a substantial amount as the assessee is ascribed to have in the circumstances of this case. “Bonafide” is to be understood in the context of the circumstance of any case. Beyond a plea of the sort the petitioner raises (concededly belatedly), there can not necessarily be independent proof or material to establish that the auditor in fact acted without diligence. The petitioner did not urge any other grounds such as illness of someone etc., which could reasonably have been substantiated by independent material. The petitioner, in our opinion, was able to show bonafide reasons why the refund claim could not be made in time. The statute or period of limitation prescribed in provisions of law meant to attach finality, and in that sense are statutes of repose; however, wherever the legislature intends relief against hardship in cases where such statutes lead to hardships, the concerned authorities – including Revenue Authorities have to construe them in a reasonable manner. That was the effect and purport of this court’s decision in Indglonal Investment & Finance Ltd. (2011 (6) TMI 229 - DELHI HIGH COURT). This court is of the opinion that a similar approach is to be adopted in the circumstances of the case. The impugned order rejecting the petitioner’s application under Section 119(2)(b) is hereby set aside and quashed. The application for condonation of delay is hereby allowed for these reasons. The petitioner is permitted to prefer its refund claim within two weeks from today. In such event, the concerned Assessing Officer shall verify the concerned claim and pass the order in accordance with law within six weeks thereafter. Any amount due to the petitioner shall also be remitted to it within three weeks thereafter.
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