ANUJ DEWAN vs NATIONAL FACELESS APPEAL CENTRE & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~20 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of decision: 7th January, 2026. + W.P.(C) 129/2026 ANUJ DEWAN .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Sahil Gupta, Adv. versus NATIONAL FACELESS APPEAL CENTRE & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Gaurav Gupta, SSC for Income Tax Deptt. with Mr. Shivendra Singh, JSC, Mr. Yojit Pareek, JSC & Mr. Surya Jindal, Advs. Mr. Vinay Yadav, CGSC for R-2/UOI with Mr. Ansh Kalra, Ms. Kamna Behrani, Mr. Neeraj Raj Paulose, Advs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DINESH MEHTA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD KUMAR JUDGMENT DINESH MEHTA, J. (Oral) CM APPL. 646/2026 (exemption) 1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. 2. Application stands disposed of. W.P.(C) 129/2026 3. By way of present petition, petitioner is seeking direction to Appellate Authority, namely, Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFSC), to hear his appeal expeditiously, which Signature Not Verified W.P.(C) 129/2026 Page 1 of 2 Digitally Signed By:NAVEEN KUMAR Signing Date:08.01.2026 13:50:13 according to him, is pending for last four years. 4. Learned counsel appearing for petitioner submitted that the petitioner has filed an appeal as back as on 22.10.2021 and in spite of the fact that more than four years has elapsed, the Appellate Authority has not taken up his appeal for consideration. He submitted that the petitioner has moved an application on 26.08.2025 for early disposal of his appeal, but no heed has been paid. 5. Mr. Gaurav Gupta, learned counsel appearing for the respondents, on the other hand, submitted that CBDT has issued a circular dated 07.03.2024 and the petitioner’s case does not fall in any of the categories, for early disposal. He nevertheless submitted that if the petitioner moves an application for early hearing of the appeal, the