Home Case Index All Cases VAT and Sales Tax VAT and Sales Tax + HC VAT and Sales Tax - 2017 (9) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2017 (9) TMI 946 - HC - VAT and Sales TaxJurisdiction - time limitation - whether the first respondent, in exercise of his powers under Section 32 of the TNGST Act, while purporting to pass orders of assessment could do so, beyond the period of limitation stipulated under Section 16 of the TNGST Act, 1959? - Held that: - the notices issued to the petitioners contain seven pages, which are common to all the petitioners. In fact, these seven pages appear to be photo stat copies, which are commonly prepared and the name of the dealer has been filled up in hand at the appropriate place. Thus, the entire purpose behind issuing impugned notices is to re-open the concluded assessment - the pattern adopted by the first respondent is identical to that of the pattern adopted by the respective Assessing Officers for either earlier or subsequent assessment years. Hence, the first respondent had no new material to come to the conclusion that the assessments have to be re-opened, as it is prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue, and he forms such opinion on enquiry being made. If that is the factual position, then, obviously, the first respondent cannot exercise the powers, what could not have been done by the Assessing Officer, as the statement was recorded much after the assessments were completed, and the same are clearly barred by limitation, as it is beyond the period of five years. The power under Section 16(1) is wide enough and cannot be said to be limited to assessment of assessable turnover under that sub-section by the Assessing Authority only. It is to be invoked in all cases, where, a statutory functionary under the Act assumes jurisdiction to assess the escaped turnover. Therefore, it was held that, in passing an original order of assessment, the Board exceeded its powers under Section 34, and that the order was also passed beyond time. Therefore, the order was held to be unenforceable in law. The material sought to be relied upon was available with the Assessing Officer for the relevant assessment year. As noticed, the Assessing Officer himself, in the subsequent assessment orders has referred to the very same materials, which are contained in the earlier notice, and hence, the impugned notices are unsustainable - the impugned notices are wholly without jurisdiction - petition allowed - decided in favor of petitioner.
|