Plea to interfere in ITAT’s order to Kalaignar TV refused

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday refused to interfere with the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)’s order directing Kalaignar TV to pay `2.50 crore per month as disputed tax. However, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice PT Asha which heard the writ petition from Kalaignar TV Private Limited directed the tribunal to dispose of the appeal within six months.

The matter pertains to income-tax department’s revised demand for 2011-12 assessment year for `95, 58, 01,220. Kalaignar TV’s writ petition submitted that the ITAT failed to consider their submissions that it is the assessing officer which had added the trade advances received from M/s India Cements Limited, M/s United Spirits Limited, and Gemini Industries and Imaging Limited for advertisement contrary to sections 4 and 5 of the Income Tax Act. The petitioner also said the financial burden posed by the department’s demand would lead to the organisation’s closure. The management had earlier filed an appeal before ITAT praying for a stay of outstanding demand till the appeal is heard and decided.