Tax Authorities Granted Discretionary Power to Compound Section 276B Offenses Without Strict Procedural Constraints

HC held that Section 279(2) of Income Tax Act, 1961 empowers Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner to suo motu compound offenses under Section 276B. The court found that despite prescribed application forms, authorities retain discretionary power to compound offenses, particularly when defaulted tax deposit with interest occurs prior to complaint filing. Given the significant time lapse between tax deposit and criminal proceedings, the court determined continuation of criminal proceedings would constitute abuse of legal process, thereby allowing petitioner's prayer and effectively terminating the criminal case. .....

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