Delhi HC raps I-T dept over Rs 53 crore Vodafone Idea refund delay

New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the income tax department for holding back ₹53.09 crore refund for over two years, the Delhi High Court has asked it to refund the amount to Vodafone Idea (Vi) with interest for assessment years 2003-04 (Apr-Mar) and 2008-09 to 2013-14 by September 30, failing which the amount shall carry an additional interest of 1% per month over and above the statutory interest.

Observing that the case portrays a “grim picture of the state of affairs prevailing in the department” on issues relating to refunds, a division bench comprising Justices Dinesh Mehta and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta,