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2022 (6) TMI 1196 - AT - Income TaxValidity of assessment order passed u/s. 143(3) r.w.s. 144C(13) read with section 144B - Reference to Dispute Resolution Panel u/s 144C - period of limitation - HELD THAT:- As amply clear from section 144C(7) that DRP before issue of any direction referred to in sub-section(5) may make such further enquiry or calls any further enquiry and get the result reported to it. Hence there is no provision in the Act that DRP's direction as contained in section 144C(5) may be subject to any further verification by any Income-tax authority other than giving effect by the AO. Hence the plea that since the TPO gave effect to the DRP's direction subsequent to the DRP's direction cannot in any manner be considered to expand the time limit as prescribed in the Act. Even from this date of TPO's giving effect, the final assessment order is time barred in any case. As already noted by us, Ld. DR's plea that TPO's giving effect to the DRP's direction on 18.02.2022 can be considered as sufficient compliance to the time barring provision contained in section 144C(13) is not legally sustainable. Undoubtedly, in this case, the assessment order has been passed beyond the time limit prescribed u/s. 144C(13) being more than one month after the date of receipt of the directions of the DRP by the AO, as per the information provided in the paper book submitted by the assessee's counsel. The factual veracity of these dates has not been disputed by the Revenue. In this view of the matter, we agree with the contention that the order passed by the AO is void ab initio and liable to be quashed as the final assessment order is time barred. Appeal of assessee allowed.
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