Home Case Index All Cases Income Tax Income Tax + HC Income Tax - 2016 (9) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2016 (9) TMI 601 - HC - Income TaxReference to Dispute Resolution Panel - DRP jurisdiction to pass an order - Held that:- Sub-section (12) of Section 144C, on the face of it, appears to pose an obstacle. Under sub-section (12), no direction can be issued by the DRP under sub-section (5), after the expiry of nine months from the end of the month in which the draft assessment order was forwarded to the eligible assessee. In this case we have found the date of forwarding of the draft assessment order to be 22-8-2014. Hence, the period stipulated under sub-section (12) would expire by 31-5-2015. But the DRP passed an order on 22-6-2015 holding that it had lost jurisdiction to pass an order on 31-12-2014 itself. Even though the date mentioned is not correct, the fact remains that the DRP could not have issued any direction after 31-5-2015, even on undisputed facts. It is possible for this Court to set aside the order of the Dispute Resolution Panel and remit the matter back to them for a consideration on merits, inspite of the fact that the period stipulated in sub-section (12) would have expired by 31-5-2015. In view of the above, the writ petition is allowed, the order of the Dispute Resolution Panel, Bengaluru, dated 22-6-2015 is set aside and the DRP, Bengaluru is directed to take up Form 35A filed by the petitioner along with the annexures and the evidence for a consideration on merits. The DRP shall give opportunity of hearing to both parties, follow the procedure prescribed in Section 144C and issue appropriate directions under sub-section (5), within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. As a consequence of our setting aside the DRPs order dated 22-6-2015, the final assessment order passed by the Assessing Officer on 28-8-2015 is set aside. The Assessing Officer shall pass a final assessment order, after and on the basis of the directions issued by the DRP, as per our directions. The miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this writ petition shall stand closed. There will be no order as to costs.
|