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2023 (12) TMI 1124 - ITAT RAJKOTAssessment against deceased/non existent assessee - Whether any proceedings which could have been taken against the deceased if he had survived may be taken against the legal representative in terms of section 159(2)(b)? - HELD THAT:- As seen that the AO despite having knowledge of the deceased assessee, except mentioning in the show cause notice, the name of the Legal Heir has not incorporated the deceased assessee either in the Assessment Order or in the subsequent demand notice or show cause notice for imposing/ proposing to impose penalty u/s 271AAC(1) of the Act. In the decision of Hon’ble Punjab And Haryana High Court in the case of Swaran Kanta [1988 (11) TMI 91 - PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT] AO therein has acknowledged the Legal Heir of the deceased assessee and, therefore High Court has held that the title of the Assessment Order which was not correctly worded would not make the Assessment Order invalid as was sought to be declared by the Revenue Authorities and the Tribunal was fully justified in restoring the order of assessment in exercising power under Section 292B of the Act. But in the present case, the Assessing Officer, despite having knowledge, has not recognised the Legal Heir while passing the final order as well as the subsequent demand order/notice and notices relied to imposing of penalty. From the perusal of records, it can be seen that the AO has passed the Assessment Order in the name of deceased person which is non-existent person and when the order passed on the non-existent person despite represented by the Legal Heir, the same cannot be curable under Section 292B. AO has consciously chose the name of the deceased assessee. In the eyes of law, if the assessee is deceased and Assessing Officer is very well aware about the same, then order has to be passed in the name of the Legal Heir of the deceased assessee. But the AO chose otherwise and, therefore, this defect is not curable as later on notices for demand as well as for imposing of penalty was issued in the name of the deceased assessee and thus the Assessment Order itself becomes void-ab-initio. CIT(A) has taken proper cognisance of the same and allowed the plea of the assessee and held the Assessment Order invalid. Appeal filed by the Revenue is dismissed.
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