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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Manmohan, Navin Chawla, JJ.
Lemon Tree Hotels Limited - Appellant
Versus
National Faceless Assessment Centre Delhi - Respondent
W.P.(C) 5427 of 2021 & CM Appl. 16831 of 2021
Decided On : 18-08-2021




The failure to grant a personal hearing in complex assessments violates principles of natural justice as mandated by the Income Tax Act.

Headnote:(A) Income Tax Act, 1961 - Sections 143(3), 144B, 156, 270A - Writ petition challenging assessment order for AY 2018-2019 - The petitioner contended that the assessment was made without a personal hearing, breaching natural justice principles - The respondents agreed to remand for fresh proceedings. (Paras 2-6)

(B) Natural Justice - The court emphasized the necessity of following due procedure in assessments, especially when complexities are involved. (Para 4)

Facts of the case:
Petition filed challenging the assessment order, notice of demand, and penalty proceedings issued for AY 2018-2019, claimed a lack of personal hearing contrary to provisions of the Act.

Findings of Court:
The assessment order was set aside and remanded to the Assessing Officer for a reasoned order after providing a personal hearing.

Issues: The court addressed the appropriateness of not granting a personal hearing despite the complexity of the case.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the failure to provide a personal hearing before passing the assessment order was contrary to the principles of natural justice and the specific provisions of the Act.

Result: The impugned assessment order was set aside and the matter was remanded for fresh proceedings.

Table of Content
1. challenge to assessment order under income tax act. (Para 2)
2. right to personal hearing under section 144b. (Para 3 , 4)
3. respondent's consent to set aside order. (Para 5)
4. remand for due procedure and reasoned order. (Para 6)
5. order to be communicated and published. (Para 7)

JUDGMENT

Manmohan, J. (Oral)--The petition has been heard by way of video conferencing.

2. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned assessment order, notice of demand and notice for initiation of penalty proceedings dated 22nd April 2021, issued under Section 143(3) read with Section 144B, Section 156 and Section 274 read with Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [the Act] for the assessment year [AY] 2018-2019.

3. Learned counsel for the Petitioner states that the impugned Assessment order has been passed in breach of the principles of natural justice. He states that since the matter was complex in terms of facts and law, a request for personal hearing was made to respondent No. 1, via its designated e-portal, on 27th March 2021.

4. He contends that Respondent no.1 had an obligation to grant a personal hearing to the petitioner in terms of Section 144B(7)(vii) of the Act and since personal hearing was sought and was not granted by respondent no.1 before passing the impugned assessment order, the same is contrary to law.

5. Ms. Vibhooti Malhotra, learned counsel for the respondents, states that the respondents have no objection if this Court were to set aside the impugned order and remand back the matter to the Assessing Officer for passing a fresh order after following the due procedure.

6. Keeping in view the aforesaid, the impugned assessment order, notice of demand and notice for initiation of penalty proceedings dated 22nd April 2021, issued under Section 143(3) read with Section 144B, Section 156 and Section 274 read with Section 270A of the Act for the assessment year [AY] 2018-2019 are set aside and the matter is remanded back to the Assessing Officer who shall grant an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and thereafter pass a reasoned order in accordance with law. With the aforesaid direction, the present writ petition and pending application stand disposed of.

7. 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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