New Delhi: The government of India informed the Supreme Court on Monday that the Income Tax (I-T) Department would refrain from taking any action regarding tax notices issued to the Congress party until the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections conclude.
During the proceedings presided over by a Bench headed by Justice BV Nagarathna, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta conveyed that the I-T Department would not proceed with the recovery of approximately Rs 3,500 crore in tax demands from the Congress party due to the special circumstances arising from the general elections.
“Since elections are ongoing, Milords, we would not like any problem to arise for any political party,” stated SG Mehta, the second-highest law officer of the GoI.
Additionally, SG Mehta requested the apex court to schedule further hearings on the merits of the case in the second week of June, following the conclusion of the elections.
Acknowledging the statement made on behalf of the I-T Department, assuring that no coercive action would be taken against the Congress party in the interim, the Bench, which also included Justice Augustine George Masih, directed the matter to be listed for July 24.
Notably, the previous week, the Delhi High Court dismissed pleas filed by the Congress challenging the initiation of income tax reassessment proceedings by tax authorities.
