9911796707
TMI Blog2025 (2) TMI 90X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... , West Bengal-70001. The petitioner has consistently complied with the statutory requirements and fulfilled tax obligations in a timely manner under applicable laws. 3. For the assessment year 2019-20, the petitioner filed its return of income on November 30, 2019, declaring a loss of Rs. 4,27,04,92, 401/-.This return was processed under Section 143(1) of the Act on June 1, 2020, leading to a refund of Rs. 24,85,36,310/- sanctioned in favour of the petitioner. 4. The Bank of India subsequently initiated proceedings under section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kolkata Bench, for Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against the petitioner. The NCLT admitted the petiti ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e Income Tax Act, 1961 and the subsequent notices and orders issued under Sections 148A (d) and 148 are entirely without jurisdiction and ought to be quashed. The petitioner asserts that the respondent authorities have failed to adhere to the statutory requirements mandated under the Income Tax Act and have acted in a manner that is arbitrary, illegal, and contrary to established legal principles. 10. The petitioner contends that the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), which is a special statute, have an overriding effect over the Income Tax Act, 1961. The moratorium imposed under Section 14 of the IBC, along with the resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), categorically prohibits the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... fically raised objections regarding the lack of jurisdiction and the bar on reassessment proceedings due to the provisions of the IBC and the resolution plan. However, these objections were summarily disregarded by the respondent authorities. 14. The petitioner contends that the actions of the respondent authorities, including the initiation and continuation of reassessment proceedings, constitute an abuse of power. The failure to conduct a proper inquiry, the reliance on incomplete and selective information, the disregard for statutory limitations, and the overriding effect of the IBC collectively render the proceedings illegal and unsustainable in law. 15. In light of the above submissions, the petitioner prays for the issuance of a wri ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... passed an order under Section 148A (d) on April 22, 2023, holding that the matter warranted reassessment and issued a notice under Section 148. 18. The petitioner, in compliance with the notice, filed its Return of Income on May 20, 2023. Thereafter, notice under Section 143(2) was issued on June 18, 2024 and the petitioner responded on June 21, 2024. The respondents submit that the petitioner actively participated in the reassessment proceedings, acknowledging their lawfulness. 19. The respondents contend that the Resolution Plan approved by the NCLT does not prohibit reassessment proceedings initiated prior to the "Appointed Date." While the petitioner has referred to Serial No. 36 of the Resolution Plan under the heading "Taxation," th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Section 148A(a) and acted solely on external reports without demonstrating independent application of mind, thereby rendering the proceedings arbitrary and illegal. 23. Section 14 of the IBC imposes a moratorium that prohibits proceedings against a company undergoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). Furthermore, the resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has overriding authority, as per Section 238 of the IBC and expressly precludes reassessment or revision proceedings for the period prior to the effective date stipulated in the plan. The respondents' actions are in direct contravention of these provisions. 24. In Ghanashyam Mishra & Sons (P) Ltd. v. Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Co. Ltd. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... d under the Income Tax Act, further vitiating their validity. 26. For the foregoing reasons, the Court holds that the reassessment proceedings initiated against the petitioner are without jurisdiction, arbitrary, and unsustainable in law. Consequently, the writ petition is allowed, and the impugned notices and orders issued under Sections 148A (b), 148A (d), and 148 of the Income Tax Act, along with all consequential proceedings, are quashed. The respondents are further directed to refrain from initiating or continuing any proceedings against the petitioner in violation of the resolution plan approved by the NCLT. 27. All pending applications are accordingly disposed of. 28. There will be no order as to costs. 29. All parties shall act ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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