Home Case Index All Cases Income Tax Income Tax + HC Income Tax - 2015 (12) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2015 (12) TMI 627 - DELHI HIGH COURTValidity of assessment under section 153A - whether the assessments were completed within the time stipulated therein? - Held that:- In the present case, as noted by the ITAT, there is only one authorisation which was issued on 20th March 2007. The panchnama drawn up on 23rd March 2007 shows that the search that commenced on that date i.e., 23rd March 2007 stood finally concluded on that date itself. It appears that no further authorisation had been issued for the search of the Assessees who are the Respondents in these appeals. Consequently, the Revenue cannot take advantage of the restraint orders passed in respect of other persons in order to seek extension of the time period for completion of the assessment proceedings in terms of Section 153B qua the Respondent Assessees herein. Even assuming that the restraint orders were validly passed, once the search stood concluded on 23rd March 2007 in respect of these Assessees, in the absence of a fresh authorisation for another search, the time period for conclusion of the assessment in terms of clause (i) of the second proviso to Section 153 B (1) of the Act does not get extended only because their names were included in the panchnama drawn up on 15th May 2007. It is possible that their names were included in the said panchnama drawn up on 15th May 2007 in order to avoid the consequence of expiry of the period of limitation which, as far as these Assessees are concerned, commenced on 23rd March 2007, when the search "finally concluded". Thus the impugned order of the ITAT, holding that the assessments in question were barred by limitation, and therefore liable to be quashed, does not call for any interference. - Decided against revenue.
|