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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Manmohan, Navin Chawla, JJ.
Ramtech Consulting - Appellant
Versus
National E Assessment Centre Additional Joint Deputy Assist. Comm. of Income Tax Income Tax O - Respondent
W.P.(C) 6269 of 2021 & CM Nos. 19815-16 of 2021
Decided On : 14-07-2021




Procedural fairness mandates issuance of a show cause notice in tax assessments, which was violated, leading to annulment of the assessment orders.

Headnote:(A) Income Tax Act, 1961 - Sections 143(3), 144B, and 144C - Challenge to draft assessment order and consequential assessment order for assessment year 2017-18 - Orders set aside as being in violation of principles of natural justice due to lack of show cause notice - Remanded for fresh assessment with required notice. (Paras 2-7)

(B) Natural Justice - The requirement of issuing a show cause notice is a fundamental aspect under Sections 143(3A) and 144B of the Act, ensuring fair procedure in tax assessments. (Paras 3-4)

Facts of the case:
The writ petition challenges the draft assessment order and consequential assessment order on the grounds of procedural irregularity for not providing a show cause notice prior to the assessment.

Findings of Court:
The court determined that the draft and consequential orders violated natural justice principles and therefore set them aside.

Issues: The main issues involved the legality of the assessment orders concerning the lack of notice under the Income Tax Act.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the absence of a show cause notice contravenes the principles of natural justice, necessitating the remand of the case for a fresh assessment pursuant to prescribed procedures.

Result: Petition allowed, assessment orders set aside and remanded.

Table of Content
1. challenge of draft assessment order under the act. (Para 2)
2. violation of natural justice principles noted. (Para 3 , 4)
3. acceptance of remand to assessing officer. (Para 5 , 6)
4. setting aside of orders and remand for fresh assessment. (Para 7)
5. disposal of writ petition. (Para 8 , 9)

JUDGMENT

1. The hearing has been conducted through video conferencing.

2. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the draft assessment order dated 25th March, 2021 passed under Section 143(3) read with Sections 144C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as `the Act') and also the consequential assessment order dated 24th May, 2021 passed under Section 143(3) r/w Section 144C(3) read with Section 144B of the Act by the respondent for the assessment year 2017-18.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner states that the impugned draft assessment order dated 25th March, 2021 has been passed without issuance of a show cause notice, as mandated by Section 143(3A)/144B of the Act.

4. He submits that the impugned draft assessment order dated 25th March 2021 and the impugned consequential order dated 24th May, 2021 are in violation of the principal of natural justice enshrined in Faceless Assessment First Amendment Scheme 2021 and Section 144B of the Act.

5. Issue notice. Mr.Sanjay Kumar, Advocate accepts notice. He states that he does not wish to file any formal reply to the present writ petition. He further states that he has no objection if the petition is allowed and the matter is remanded back to the Assessing Officer for passing a fresh assessment order under Section 143(3) read with Sections 144B and 144C of the Act.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner has no objection to the same.

7. Consequently, the impugned draft assessment order dated 25th March 2021 passed under Section 143(3) read with Sections 144C of the Act and the impugned Assessment order dated 24th May, 2021 passed under Section 143(3) r/w Section 144C(3) read with Section 144B of the Act are set aside and the matter is remanded back to the Assessing Officer for passing a fresh assessment order under Section 143(3) read with Sections 144B and 144C of the Act after giving a show cause notice to the petitioner under Section 144B(1) (xvi) of the Act. Let the said notice be issued within two weeks.

8. With the aforesaid directions, the present writ petition along with pending applications stand disposed of.

9. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. Copy of the order be also forwarded to the learned counsel through e-mail.

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