Delay of 676 days Condoned by High Court

The Kerala High Court set aside an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) refusing to condone a delay of 676 days in filing an appeal. 

The Court held that although delay condonation applications must be scrutinised rigorously, the Tribunal was not justified in concluding that the assessee's explanation lacked bona fides. 

Noting that the assessee had furnished specific reasons regarding failure of its earlier auditors and consultants to file the appeal, the Court condoned the delay and restored the appeal to the ITAT for adjudication on merits.