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2024 (4) TMI 879 - AT - Income TaxReopening of assessment u/s 147 - absence of valid approval to be obtained u/s 151 - who is competent authority for approval in this case? - notice issued beyond period of four years - Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax/ Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Principal Commissioner of Income Tax/ Commissioner of Income Tax OR Additional Commissioner - HELD THAT:- The erstwhile provisions of Section 151 postulates permission of Pr.CCIT/CCIT/Pr.CIT/CIT before issuance of notice u/s 148 of the Act after the lapse of 4 years. Ostensibly, the re-assessment proceedings u/s 147 r.w. Section 148 in the instant case has been initiated without valid approval u/s 151 of the Act. Needless to say, Section 151 of the Act serves as a cardinal safeguard for valid initiation of re-assessment proceedings and requires to be strictly followed. The satisfaction on an escaped income by Principal Chief Commissioner / Chief Commissioner / Principal Commissioner / Commissioner of Income Tax u/s 151(1) is thus incumbent before the proceedings u/s 147 is set in motion. In the instant case as noted, the approval has been obtained from Addl. CIT not competent for granting requisite approval u/s 151 of the Act. Such remissness on the part of the AO have rendered the entire re-assessment proceedings invalid and bad in law. As held in the case of Dr. Sashi Kant Garg [2005 (8) TMI 81 - ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT] the irregularity in obtaining the sanction of the competent authority is the substantive defect incurable under the provisions of the Act. Consequently, the re-assessment order stands quashed as pleaded on behalf of the assessee at the threshold. In view of such conclusion, other aspects of grievances are thus not required to be addressed. Appeal of the assessee is allowed.
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