ITAT allows Exemption to Charitable Trust Considering Activity: Supreme Court denies Delayed SLP Filing by Income Tax Dept. citing Insufficient Cause [Read Judgement]

The Supreme Court declined to condone the income tax department's delay in filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) due to insufficient cause. The SLP stemmed from the Delhi High Court's final judgment, which upheld the exemption granted by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) to a charitable trust under the Income Tax Act, 1961. \r

The trust, Professional Assistance for Development Action, engages in uplifting the poor and skill development in rural areas. Despite being denied exemption by the Assessing Officer, the CIT(A) and ITAT allowed it. The High Court upheld the ITAT's decision. \r

Justices Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale found no reason to condone the delay, dismissing the SLP on those grounds.