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2020 (6) TMI 636 - BOMBAY HIGH COURTReopening of assessment u/s 147 - Validity of reason to believe - Undisclosed share transactions - HELD THAT:- As we revert back to the reasons furnished by Respondent No. 2 for re-opening of assessment u/s 147 after referring to the information received following search and seizure action carried out in the premises of Shri Naresh Jain, it was stated that information showed that Petitioner had traded in the shares of M/s. Scan Steels Ltd., and was in receipt of ₹ 23,98,014.00 and therefore, Respondent No. 2 concluded that he had reasons to believe that this amount had escaped assessment within the meaning of section 147 of the Act. First of all it would be evident from the materials on record that Petitioner had disclosed the above information to the Assessing Officer in the course of the assessment proceedings. All related details and information sought for by the Assessing Officer were furnished by the petitioner. Several hearings took place in this regard where-after the Assessing Officer had concluded the assessment proceedings by passing assessment order under section 143 (3) of the Act. Thus it would appear that Petitioner had disclosed the primary facts at its disposal to the Assessing Officer for the purpose of assessment. He had also explained whatever queries were put by the Assessing Officer with regard to the primary facts during the hearings. It cannot be said that Petitioner did not disclose fully and truly all material facts necessary for the assessment. Consequently, Respondent No. 2 could not have arrived at the satisfaction that he had reasons to believe that income chargeable to tax had escaped assessment. In the absence of the same, Respondent No. 2 could not have assumed jurisdiction and issued the impugned notice under section 148 of the Act. Respondents have tried to traverse beyond the disclosed reasons in their affidavit which is not permissible. The same cannot be taken into consideration, while examining validity of notice under section 148. As has been held in Prashant S. Joshi [2010 (2) TMI 271 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT] the reasons which are recorded by the Assessing Officer for re-opening an assessment are the only reasons which can be considered when the formation of the belief is impugned; such reasons cannot be supplemented subsequently by affidavit (s). Attempt made by Respondent No.2 to reopen the concluded assessment is not at all justified and consequently the impugned notice cannot be sustained. - Decided in favour of assessee.
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