In a major relief to M/s Google India Pvt Ltd, the Karnataka High Court modified the stay order passed by the ITAT Bangalore whereby the company was asked to pay 50% of total demand as a pre-requisite for granting stay of income tax demand.
Appellate Tribunal, while asking the petitioners to deposit 50% of demand for grant of stay, also directed them to pay 20% of demand immediately within seven days and the remaining amount shall be paid in six equal installments within 180 days.
Senior counsel Mr. Percy Pardiwala, who appeared for the petitioners, submitted that the connected appeals are pending before the Tribunal. He further submitted that the Tribunal initially directed the petitioners to pay 30% of demand subject to conditions. However, later it demanded 50%. Out of this, 20% has already been paid by the petitioners.
Before the High Court, the petitioners expressed their willingness to pay 30% of demand as indicated by the Tribunal.
Without going to the merits of the case, Justice Vineeth Kothari modified the interim order of the Tribunal by holding that the petitioner is liable to pay only 30% demand. Since they have already paid 20%, the balance 10% was to be deposit within one month.
Read the Full Text of the Judgment Below
