IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR
MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, MADAN GOPAL VYAS, JJ.
Ambiance Home Furnishing Private Limited - Appellant
Versus
Union of India, Through Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Govt. of India and Ors. - Respondents
D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 2353 of 2022
Decided On : 18-02-2022
Finance Act, 2021 - 148A, 148, 149 - Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 14 - Relaxation Act, 2020 - Section 3(1) – Euality before Law - Notice of re-assessment - Delegated legislation notifications - Petitioner has challenged notice of re-assessment for assessment year 2017-18, which notice was issued - Learned counsel for petitioner pointed out that issues involved in petition are squarely covered by recent judgment of Division Bench – Held, As a piece of delegated legislation notifications issued in exercise of such powers, had to be within confines of such powers - In plain terms under subsection (1) of Section 3 of Relaxation Act, 2020 Government of India was authorized to extend time limits by issuing notifications in this regard - Issuing any explanation touching provisions of Income Tax Act was not part of this delegation at all - CBDT while issuing the notifications and when introduced an explanation which provided by way of clarification that for purposes of issuance of notice under Section 148 as per time limits specified in Section 149 or 151, provisions as they stood as before commencement of Finance Act, 2021 shall apply, plainly exceeded its jurisdiction as a subordinate legislation - Subordinate legislation could not have travelled beyond powers vested in Government of India by parent Act - Even otherwise it is extremely doubtful whether explanation in guise of clarification can change very basis of statutory provisions - If plain meaning of statutory provision and its interpretation is clear, by adopting a position different in an explanation and describing it to be clarificatory, subordinate legislature cannot be permitted to amend provisions of parent Act - Accordingly, these explanations are unconstitutional and declared as invalid - Petition disposed off.
ORDER :
1. The petitioner has challenged the notice of re-assessment for the assessment year 2017-18, which notice was issued on 30.06.2021. Learned counsel for the petitioner pointed out that the issues involved in the petition are squarely covered by the recent judgment of the Division Bench dated 27.01.2022 in the case of Sudesh Taneja v. Income Tax officer and others [D.B. Civil Writ Petition No.969/2022], in which the Division Bench in identical circumstances quashed the impugned notices of re-assessment making following observations:-
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