GUNDAPPA Vs. STATE OF MYSORE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is an assessee under the Mysore Sales Tax Act, 1957. For the year 1967-68 he was assessed to tax in respect of the turnover relating to the sale of toddy by assessment order dated 10th September, 1969. The tax demanded was Rs. 2,511 out of which he paid Rs. 1,760. The balance due was Rs. 751.

(2.) The petitioner preferred an appeal before the Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Appeals), Bangalore. Along with the appeal he did not file proof of payment of the balance tax amount nor did he make an application for passing an order under the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 20 of the Act. The Deputy Commissioner posted that appeal for admission on 16th December, 1969, on which date the Advocate for the assessee filed an application for adjournment. Accordingly, the case was adjourned to 24th December, 1969, on which date neither the appellant nor his representative was present. Further, there was also no proof of the payment of the entire tax demanded. Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner rejected the appeal.

(3.) Against the said order, the assessee preferred a second appeal before the Mysore Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal which held that since the appellant did not produce proof of having paid the tax demanded of him, his appeal had been rightly rejected by the Deputy Commissioner. Against the order of the Tribunal, this revision petition has been preferred under section 23(1) of the Mysore sales Tax Act.