Chennai: In an interim relief to Kalaignar Television, the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Income Tax department to maintain status quo on its arrears of tax demand against the channel for assessment years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Justice Anita Sumanth, before whom a plea from Kalaingnar TV came up seeking quashing of the department's March 7 demand notice that reaffirmed its determination of tax made earlier, granted status quo till the next date of hearing. The judge granted the relief after hearing the petitioner who sought a direction to the department not to enforce its arrears of demand assailing it as violative of natural justice and provisions of the Constitution. The court issued notice to the Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Non-Corporate Circle here for filing counter by April 24. According to the petitioner, it filed the Income Tax returns showing a loss of Rs 3,59,37,531 for 2009-10 and a loss of Rs 6,39,01,141 for 2010-11.