ACIT 7(3), MUMBAI vs. TATA INTERNATIONAL LTD, MUMBAI

आदेश / O R D E R PER M. BALAGANESH (A.M):

3. Since this issue goes to the root of the matter, we deem it fit to address this additional ground. The ld. DR before us vehemently submitted that this additional ground is a pure factual issue and hence cannot be admitted at the stage of tribunal. We find that the very jurisdiction of the ld. AO to frame an assessment is being challenged by the assessee before us. In other words, the ld. AO who passed the assessment order had valid jurisdiction to frame the assessment of the assessee for the year under consideration is in challenge before us. This in our considered opinion, is purely a legal issue because the jurisdiction of the ld. AO has to be determined as per the provisions of the Act. Hence it cannot be a factual issue. Since the additional ground is a legal issue and does not require any verification of facts and it goes to the root of the matter, we are inclined to admit the same and take up for adjudication.

6. From the aforesaid definition of the Assessing Officer, we find that the same clearly provides that for an Additional CIT or JCIT to exercise or perform all or in all the powers and functions conferred on are assigned to the Assessing Officer, an authorization u/s.120(4)(b) of the Act is required mandatorily. For this purpose, it would be relevant to reproduce the provisions of Section 120 which speaks about „jurisdiction of income tax authorities‟ as under:-

“Section 120 (1) - Income-tax authorities shall exercise all or any of the powers and perform all or any of the functions conferred on, or, as the case may be,assigned to such authorities by or under this Act in accordance with such directions as the Board may issue for the exercise of the powers and performance of the functions by all or any of those authorities. Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any income-tax authority, being an authority higher in rank, may, if so directed by the Board, exercise the powers and perform the functions of the income-tax authority lower in rank and any such direction issued by the Board shall be deemed to be a direction issued under sub- section (1). (2) The directions of the Board under sub-section (1) may authorise any other income- tax authority to issue orders in writing for the exercise of the powers and performance of the functions by all or any of the other income-tax authorities who are subordinate to it.

(3) …………………………….. (4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the Board may, by general or special order, and subject to such conditions, restrictions or limitations as may be specified therein,— (a) authorise any Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Director or Director to perform such functions of any other income-tax authority as may be assigned to him by the Board; (b) empower the Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner to issue orders in writing that the powers and functions conferred on, or as the case may be, assigned to, the Assessing Officer by or under this Act in respect of any specified area or persons or classes of persons or incomes or classes of income or cases or classes of cases, shall be exercised or performed by an Additional Commissioner or an Additional Director or a Joint Commissioner or a Joint Director, and, where any order is made under this clause, references in any other provision of this Act, or in any rule made thereunder to the Assessing Officer shall be deemed to be references to such Additional Commissioner or Additional Director or Joint Commissioner or Joint Director by whom the powers and functions are to be exercised or performed under such order, and any provision of this Act requiring approval or sanction of the Joint Commissioner shall not apply.”

3.5. We find that the ld. DR made an elaborate written submission dated 08/04/2022 and the ld. AR also filed rebuttal to the said written submissions vide letter dated 13/04/2022. The gist of various contentions of the ld. DR together with rebuttal of the assessee is given in following tabular form:-

Sr No Ld. DR’s contentions Assessee’s rebuttal The additional ground is not fit to be admitted by the Hon'ble Tribunal: a) Such a jurisdictional issue being The instant appeals are filed against the assessment order raised with respect to existence u/s. 143(3) of the Act and this appeal is not against any order of an order u/s 120, u/s 124 or u/s. 120/124/127 as contended by the Ld. DR. In fact, the u/s 127 is not appealable under Appellant has challenged the passing of assessment orders in section 253 of the I.T. Act (Para absence of any order u/s 120 (4) (b) and 127 of the Act and it 4, 4.1,4.3) is not a case where appeal has been filed before the Tribunal These new arguments were not against such orders taken by the ld. DR in the course of physical hearing before the Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble Tribunal only by way of this written submission b) Such a jurisdictional issue is not The question involved in the additional grounds goes to the a pure question of law since it root of the matter and challenges the sustainability of the requires further verification of assessment order passed by an authority which is not facts (verify whether the competent to perform the functions of an Assessing Officer assignment order is akin to the as per the Act. Therefore the jurisdictional issue is a pure orders u/s 120(4)(b) or u/s 127 question of law and deserves to be admitted. A similar or there is any lacuna in it). argument urged by the Department, has been dealt by the (Para 5 ) ITAT n the following cases while admitting similar additional grounds as that in the present case > Tata Sons Ltd. (ITA No. 4497/Mum/2005) (Para 3.12 & 3.13, Pg. 9) > Tata Communication Ltd. (ITA No. 7071/Mum/2005) (Para 6, Pg. 7, Para 18, Pg. 46) > Tata Communication Ltd. (ITA No. & ITA No. 1015/Mum/2010) (Para 3.3 Pg.9), etc. In rebuttal to the Ld. DR's contention, the Appellant wishes to submit that the requisite documents required for establishing legal authority of the Assessing Officer are expected to be available in the assessment records and thus, it is not a case where verification of fresh facts is required. In any case, in order to check whether there is any lacuna in the assignment order purported to have been passed, the order should be available with Revenue Department in the first place. Since such an order has not been produced before the Hon'ble Bench, the question of verification or setting it aside does not arise. Further, in the present case, the Appellant has repeatedly requested for the production of orders u/s 120(4)(b) as well as order u/s 127 of the Act and even the Hon'ble Bench has afforded opportunities and time to the Ld. DR for the same. Thus, the Appellant submits that this is not a case which Sr No Ld. DR's contentions Appellant's rebuttal requires any verification of fresh facts which are not available on record. On the contrary, these must exist as part of the assessment record, and in absence of the same, the Addnl. CIT/JCIT could not have performed the role of an Assessing Officer. The Act does not provide any limitation period for filing c) There is inordinate delay in additional grounds of appeal

. It is a settled law that an filing the additional grounds. additional ground of appeal can be raised at any time and The assessee had participated even for the first time before the Tribunal. Further, the Appellant submits that merely because the Appellant had in the proceedings and was participated in assessment proceedings will not make the satisfied that CIT Range-i assessment order sacrosanct f the said order is otherwise Thane was having valid without authority as per law. It is a settled law that jurisdiction jurisdiction (Para 6) cannot be conferred by consent. A similar argument, urged by the Department, has been dealt by the ITAT while admitting similar additional grounds as that in the present case, in the following cases: > Tata Sons Ltd. (ITA No. 193/Mum/2006) (Para 13- Pg 22) > Tata Communication Ltd. (ITA No. 6981/Mum/2005) (Para 6, Pg.77) etc. Further, it may be noted that such additional grounds of appeal have been admitted by the Hon'ble Tribunal in all the 13 case laws relied upon by the Appellant in its Compilation of judgements filed on 5. July 2021 as also in the recent judgement of Tata Communications Ltd. vs. Addnl. CIT (ITA No. 7514/Mum/2011 & Ors) dated

23. February 2022 which are on identical issues as that in the present case. In view of the above, the Appellant humbly submits that the additional grounds deserve to be admitted by the Hon'ble Tribunal in the interest of justice and oblige.

2 There exists notifications of the Board and order of the CIT-1, Thane, giving power of the Assessing Officer to the jurisdictional Addl. CIT/JCIT There exists order of CIT-i, The Ld. DR has relied on the assessment order for AY 2010- ii wherein there is a mention of the assignment order by the Thane assigning the impugned CIT to the JCIT. However, the Ld. DR has failed to case of AY 2009-10 and AY produce any such order before the Hon'ble Tribunal 2010-11 to the Addl. CIT - despite repeated requests by the Appellant and Range-1, Thane dated 22 July opportunities granted by the Hon'ble Bench. 2013 (Para 4.1) These new arguments were not Further, the Ld. DR has mentioned that the aforesaid taken by the ld. DR in the assignment order dated 22 July 2013 is for both the course of physical hearing before the Hon’ble Bench and assessment years i.e. AY 2009-10 and AY 2010-11. However, a) are placed before the Hon’ble the draft and the final assessment order u/s 143(3) for AY Tribunal only by way of this 2009-10 nowhere refers to this assignment order. Further, written submission the draft order for AY 2009-10 was passed by the Addnl. CIT Assignment order pertains on 30 March 2013 i.e. much before such assignment order to AY 2009-10 as well.) was purportedly issued. Thus, there is no proof that the assignment order which is said to exist also relates to AY 2009-10. In the absence of the aforesaid order, it is not possible to ascertain whether it pertains to both the assessment years. The assessment order of AY It has been stated that the said order could not be produced 2010-11 mentions the details of due to shifting of records/office buildings. However, the assignment of case to Addnl. office building address of the jurisdictional Assessing Officer CIT, however, due to shifting for the Appellant has remained the same since 2013 till date. of records and office buildings, In any case, the order u/s 120(4)(b) and order u/s 127 of the b) the physical copy of Act ought to form part of the assessment records for AY assignment order is not readily 2009-10 and 2010-ii and it is not the case of the Department available in the records of the that the entire case records for both these years are not Department (Para 4.1) available with them.

C) Assignment order to Addnl. The Act specifically requires that an order must be issued in CIT will partake character of writing by the PCIT/CIT, etc. u/s 120(4)(b) to authorise the order u/s 120(4)(b) or u/s 127 Addnl. CIT/JCIT to perform the functions of an Assessing Officer. Further, section 127 of the Act requires an order since under no other section, transferring jurisdiction from one AO to another to be such an order can be made. passed. Both the orders have not been produced by the Ld. Assessee has not challenged DR but it has been argued that the assignment order by CIT- the assignment order of the i, Thane referred in the assessment order of AY 2010-11 CIT-1, Thane and only should be presumed to have been passed u/s 120(4) (b) or challenged order u/s 120(4)(b) u/s 127. Without the existence of any order, how can any or u/s 127. Since the presumption be made in any case. Further, the Ld. DR is assignment order was issued treating the assignment order referred in AY 2010-11 order to for the same purpose as S. be sufficient for the purposes of Section 120(4)(b) as well as 120(4)(b) and S. 127, only S. 127 of the Act, whereas the Act requires 2 different orders 'Form' has been challenged, to be passed under those 2 sections. Be that as it may, the not the "substance". (Para fact remains that not a single order - whether order 4.1.1, 4.2) u/s 120(4)(b) or an order u/s 127 or the assignment order passed by CIT-i, Thane has been produced by the Ld. DR in the instant case and in absence of the same, there can be no question of presuming anything about the assignment order. Further, the Ld. DR has completely erred in stating that the Appellant has not challenged the assignment order (which should be presumed to be passed u/s 120(4)(b) and u/s 127 as per the Ld. DR) and that by challenging the absence of orders u/s 120(4)(b) and u/s 127, the Appellant is only challenging the form and not substance. When the Ld. DR has not been able to produce any order whatsoever from the assessment records, the arguments relating to form and substance are of no relevance.

Sr Ld. DR's contentions Appellant's rebuttal No The Appellant humbly submits that the arguments and the d) Amendment to S. 2(7A) was Board notifications referred by .the id. DR in Para 7,8, and 9 clarificatory in nature, JCIT of the written submissions have been considered by all the definition u/s 2(28C) always decisions provided in the COJ. The Appellant has listed down included 'Addnl. CIT as well few of the instances wherein the Hon'ble Mumbai ITAT has and reliance placed on held that the assessment orders passed by Addnl. CIT/JCIT Notifications dated 31.07.2001 are without jurisdiction and liable to be quashed in absence and 17.09.2001 alongwith of relevant notifications/orders u/s 120(4)(b): assignment order by the CIT-1, Thane (Para 7,8,9) > Tata Sons Ltd. (ITA No. 4497/Mum/2005) (Para 3.26- Pg 14, Para 3.31- Pg 16)

> Tata Communications Limited (ITA No. 7071/Mum/2005) (Para 15- Pg 24, Para 18- Pg 46)

> Tata Sons Ltd. (ITA No. 193/Mum/2006) (Para 18- Pg. 49)

> Kishore Vithaldas (ITA No. 5661/Mum/2017 & Ors) (Para 13- Pg. 15, Para 15- Pg 47)

> Tata Communications Ltd (ITA No. 7514/Murn/2011) (Para ii- Pg 12), etc. Further, as already submitted above, the Ld. DR has failed to produce any order / the said assignment order before the Hon'ble Bench despite repeated requests by the Appellant and opportunities granted by the Hon'ble Bench. Hence in absence of the separate order required Is 120(4)(b) of the Act, the assessment orders passed by the JCIT/Addnl. CIT are without jurisdiction and liable to be quashed.

5.2. In the present case, the Appellant is not objecting to the retrospective application of the definition of the term 'Assessing Officer'. Such a controversy does not arise at all in the Appellant's case since all the relevant orders in question are passed much after Finance Act 2007 i.e. in FY 2014-15. To this extent, the Appellant has not challenged the definition of the Assessing Officer u/s 2(7A) of the Act at all and in fact, it is fairly accepted by the Appellant that Addnl. CIT/JCIT are covered under the list of Revenue officers mentioned in the said section as held by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. There is absolutely no quarrel on the above proposition as has been held by the Hon'ble High Court.

5.3. The controversy in the instant case is different from the case before Hon'ble Bombay High Court in N. Rajgopal (supra). The controversy in the instant case is whether the Addnl CIT/JCIT as covered u/s 2(7A) of the Act can exercise the powers and functions of an Assessing Officer in the absence of orders issued in writing as per section 120(4)(b) of the Act. Such an issue did not exist before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of N. Rajgopal (supra).

5.4. The assessee in the case of N. Rajgopal (supra) has not challenged the existence of an order u/s 120(4)(b) of the Act before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court at all. It is under these circumstances that the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, after holding that the amendment by FA 2007 to include Addnl CIT in the definition of the Assessing Officer is retrospective in nature, has not further dealt with the issue whether the concerned Addnl CIT therein, who passed the assessment order in N. Rajgopal's case had the requisite orders issued in writing as per section 120(4)(b) of the Act to act as an Assessing Officer or no. Accordingly, the ratio of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court is not applicable to the Appellant's case and does not render any support to the DR's case.

5.5. At this stage, the Appellant would like to submit that it is a settled law by the Hon'ble Apex Court that a judgment must be read as a whole and the observations from the judgment have to be considered in the light of the questions which were before the Court. A decision of the Court takes its colourfrom the questions involved in the case in which it is rendered and while applying the decision to a latter case, the Courts must carefully try to ascertain the true principle laid down by the decision of the Court and not to pick out words or sentences from the judgment, divorced from the context of the questions under consideration by the Court, to support their proceedings.

5.6. In light of the above ratio, the Appellant submits that since the question involved in N. Rajgopal (supra) was not similar to the present case, the principle laid down by the Hon'ble High Court therein is limited to the question involved therein (i.e. that the Addnl CIT can be considered as an Assessing Officer retrospectively from 1 June 1994) and not beyond the issues which were not raised/challenged before the Court. The Appellant submits that since the arguments and contentions raised by the Appellant in the instant case were not before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, the ratio of N. Rajgopal (supra) has no application to the case of the Appellant.

5.7. The Appellant reiterates that the Addnl. CIT/JCIT can be considered as an Assessing Officer u/s 2(7A) of the Act only when he is directed to do so vide specific order issued in writing u/s 120(4)(b) of the Act which have not been produced in the instant case. Hence, the reliance on this case which does not deal with the relevant question in the instant case, is completely misplaced by the Ld. DR. 5.8. Further, in any case, besides the absence of an order u/s 120(4)(b) of the Act, the transfer order u/s 127 of the Act has also not been produced in the present case to establish that the jurisdiction was validly transferred from the ACIT to the Addnl. CIT/JCIT. Hence, without prejudice to the above contention that the ratio of N. Rajgopal (supra) is not applicable to the present facts of the case, even if it is assumed that the decision of N. Rajgopal (supra) does not support the Appellant's case, the assessment orders passed by the Addnl. CIT/JCIT should still be held to be without jurisdiction and liable to be quashed in absence of a valid order u/s 127 of the Act. b) Reliance placed on the case of Pr. CIT vs. Mega Corporation 6. Re: DR's contention no. 3 above - Reliance on Mega (ITA No.128/2016)(Del HC) Corporation (supra) (Para 10 to para 13. 6.1. At the very outset, the Appellant wishes to submit that in the facts of Mega Corporation, an order of assignment of duties by the Commissioner of Income Tax-2, Delhi to the Addnl./Joint CIT dated 1.08.2007 was produced before the Hon'ble Delhi Tribunal as is evident from para 6 of the Delhi ITAT decision (62 taxrnann.com 351). It was under these circumstances that the Hon'ble High Court rendered its finding in para 6 of the order. In the instant case, notably, there is no order on record by which the Addnl. CIT/JCIT was directed to perform the functions of the Assessing Officer for the case of the Appellant.

6.2. Further, the Hon'ble Delhi High Court, in para 7, held that the assessee's case was covered u/s 124(3) of the Act. In this regard, with due respect to the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's decision, the Appellant wishes to submit that as under - 6.3. The Appellant wishes to draw Your Honours' attention to the provisions of section 124 of the Act, which are reproduced hereunder: "Jurisdiction of Assessing Officers: 124. (i) Where by virtue of any direction or order issued under sub-section (i) or subsection (2) of section 120, the Assessing Officer has been vested with jurisdiction over any area, within the limits of such area, he shall have jurisdiction— (a) in respect of any person carrying on a business or profession, if the place at which he carries on his business or profession is situate within the area, or where his business or profession is carried on in more places than one, if the principal place of his business or profession is situate within the area, and (b) in respect of any other person residing within the area. (2) Where a question arises under this section as to whether an Assessing Officer has jurisdiction to assess any person, the question shall be determined by the Principal Director General or Director General or the Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief commissioner or the Principal Commissioner or commissioner; or where the question is one relating to areas within the jurisdiction of different Principal Directors General or Directors General or Principal Chief commissioners or Chief Commissioners or Principal Commissioners or Commissioners, by the Principal Directors General or Directors General or Principal Chief Commissioners or Chief Commissioners or Principal Commissioners or Commissioners concerned or, if they are not in agreement, by the Board or by such Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal commissioner or Commissioner as the Board may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify. (3) No person shall be entitled to call in question the jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer—

(a) where he has made a return under sub-section (i) of section 115WD or under sub-section (i) of section 139, after the expiry of one month from the date on which he was served with a notice under sub-section (i) of section 142 or sub- section (2) of section 115WE or sub-section (2) of section 143 or after the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier; (b) where he has made no such return, after the expiry of the time allowed by the notice under sub-section (2) of section 115W1) or sub-section (i) of section 142 or under sub- section (i) of section 11514II or under section 148 for the making of the return or by the notice under the first proviso to section 115B. For under the first proviso to section 144 to show cause why the assessment should not be completed to the best of the judgment of the Assessing Officer, whichever is earlier;

(c) where an action has been taken under Section 132 or section 132A, after the expiry of one month from the date on which he was served with a notice under sub- section (i) of section 15344 or sub-section (2) of section 153C or after the completion of the assessment, whichever is earlier.

(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), where an assessee calls in question the jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer, then the Assessing Officer shall, if not satisfied with the correctness of the claim, refer the matter for determination under sub-section (2) before the assessment is made.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section or in any direction or order issued under section 120, every Assessing Officer shall have all the powers conferred by or under this Act on an Assessing Officer in respect of the income accruing or arising or received within the area, if any, over which he has been vested with jurisdiction by virtue of the directions or orders issued under sub-section (i) or sub-section (2) of section 120." ...(Emphasis supplied)

6.4.Section 124 provides for jurisdiction of an 'Assessing Officer'. In case of the Appellant, the root of the issue under consideration is whether Addnl. CIT/ KIT is an Assessing Officer as defined under the Act or no. When the Addnl CIT/JCIT is not an 'Assessing Officer' as per S. 2(7A) of the Act in the first place, then the provisions of section 124 become inapplicable at this point itself. For S. 124 to apply, jurisdiction i.e. authority under law to perform the functions of an Assessing Officer must be conferred correctly on an officer in the first instance. Without the sanction as per law, the Addnl. CIT/JCIT cannot be called as an Assessing Officer and accordingly, such challenge to inherent jurisdiction can be made at any time by the Appellant and the time stipulated u/s 124(3) cannot apply to such cases where there is lack of jurisdiction. In cases where there is complete lack of jurisdiction, procedural limitations such as S. 124(3) should not hinder the objections to jurisdiction, which goes to the very root of the matter.

6.5. Without prejudice to the above, a bare perusal of the above provisions of section 124 show that the said provisions cover the aspect of jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer only with respect to his 'territorial jurisdiction'. The sub- sections (i), (2) and (s), all make a reference to the jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer with respect to as is evident from the words used in various places in these sub-sections. for example - jurisdiction over any area', 'within the limits of such area', 'within the area', areas within the jurisdiction'.

6.6.The provisions of section 124 of the Act apply in cases where an Assessing Officer has been vested with jurisdiction by any direction or order issued u/s 120(1) and 120(2) of the Act since the text of subsection (i) to section 124 begins with the words "by virtue of anti direction or order issued under sub- section i) or sub-section '2) of section 120, the Assessing Officer has been vested with jurisdiction". However, in the instant case, the Appellant is challenging the jurisdiction of the Addnl. CIT/JCIT in the absence of an order u/s 120(4)(b) of the Act and not those covered u/s 120(1) and 120(2) of the Act. Thus, the Appellant submits that its case is not covered under section 124 of the Act at all.

6.7.In view of the above, the Appellant submits that sub-section () of the section 124 cannot be read in isolation to hold that tile jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer should be challenged only within the time stipulated therein but should be read in context of various other provisions of section 124 which as highlighted above, is only concerned with the territorial jurisdiction of the Assessing Officer and not the 'inherent' jurisdiction. Thus, the Appellant submits that section 124 of the Act applies only to the territorial jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer and not where the inherent jurisdiction is challenged, as in the instant case.

6.8. The Appellant wishes to place reliance on the following decisions which have been rendered by the Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal on similar facts as that of the Appellant and wherein it was held that S. 124 has no application in cases where inherent jurisdiction of Assessing Officer was in question - > Tata Sons Ltd. "3.15. It is further noted by us that in the case before us, a challenge has been made about the legal competence of the Additional Commissioner of Income tax and his jurisdiction to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Assessing Officer of the assessee and to carry out the assessment proceedings and frame the assessment order in accordance with the provisions of the Income tax Act, 1961. Thus, reliance upon the provisions contained in Section 124 of the Act would be of no help to the Revenue as the assessee has not challenged either territorial jurisdiction or irregular exercise of jurisdiction by the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax but challenge was made to the authority and legal competence itself of the Additional Commissioner of Income tax to pass the impugned assessment order upon the assessee." > Tata Communication Ltd. ITA No. 7071/Mum/2005: "18... A plain reading of section 124 would show that it refers to an order issued under sub-section (i) or (2) of section 120, whereas we are concerned with an order purported to be passed under section 120(4)(b) empowering the Addnl. CIT to act as an Assessing Officer. Therefore, in our view the provisions of section 124 are not applicable to the present case."

>Tata Sons Ltd. "16. We also noted that the Gujarat 1-ugh Court in the case of Ramesh D Patel (supra), while dealing with a similar issue, we noted that at page 496 under last but one paragraph held as under:

"9. Thus, section 124 of the Act pertains to the territorial jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer vested under sub-section (i) or sub-section (2) of section 120. An objection to such jurisdiction can be raised in terms of section 124(2). In terms of sub-section (3) of section 124, right to raise such objection shall be foregone beyond the stages mentioned therein. The said provisions are clearly concerning with the dispute of the assessee with respect to the territorial jurisdiction of the Assessing Officer and has no relevance in so far as the inherent jurisdiction for passing an order of assessment under section 153A of the Act is concerned, when no search authorization under section 132 was issued or requisition under section 132A of the Act was made."

Similarly, Hon'ble Allahabad High Court in the case of Prasad Chandra vs. CIT (supra) in para no.22 has categorically held as under:

"22. As regards the question of determining the jurisdiction, we may point out that in Moti and Jawahar (supra), which has been relied upon by the petitioner, the court observed that a point which goes to the root of the mater and which affects the very existence of the jurisdiction of an authority can be raised at any time, be it in appeal or revision."

Further, we also noted that the while dealing with similar issue, the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court in the case of Elite Pharmaceuticals vs. ITO (supra), under para 15 held as under: "15. The assessee had questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the assessing officer and the assessing officer held that the assessee had lost the right to raise the objection by efflux of time. We, as such, find no substance in the case of the appellant." > Kishore Vithaldas & ITA No. 7397/Mum/2016: 17... The Ld. DR submitted that as per section 124(3), no person shall be entitled to call in question the jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer after expiry Of 3o days from the date of issue of notice u/s 142(1), 143(2) and after completion of assessment. We find that the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, in case of Bansilal B. Raisoni vs. ACIT (2019) 260 Taxman 281 (Bombay) had considered the issue in light of section 124(3) of the Act, and held that the time limit provided u/s 124(3) of the Act, has a relation to the AO territorial jurisdiction, but said time limit would not apply to the case where the assessee contents the action of the AO is without authority of law and therefore wholly without jurisdiction." 6.9. The Appellant wishes to submit that the Hon'ble Jurisdictional Tribunal in the case of Tata Sons Limited vs. ACIT (ITA No. 193/Mum/2006 & Ors) (Refer Pg. 75 to 125 of the COJ) has considered the decision of the Mega Corporation (supra) and held that Section 124 has no application in similar facts as that of the instant case. The relevant paragraph where the said issue has been adjudicated is reproduced below for ready reference - "15... No doubt there the assessee has relied on the decision of Delhi Bench in the case of Principal CIT vs. Mega Corporation but relying on a particular decision does not mean that his additional ground be decided by us. We have gone through the decision of Delhi High Court in the case of Mega Corporation Ltd. (supra) and noted that various High Courts have taken a contrary view on this issue, as under:

 CIT vs. Ramesh D Patel [362 ITR 4931 (Guj)  Prashant Chandra vs. CIT81 taxmann.com 1o6 (Allahabad)  Elite Pharmaceuticals vs. ITO [242 Taxman 3451 (Cal) 16. We also noted that the Gujarat High Court in the case of Ramesh D Patel (supra), while dealing with a similar issue, we noted that at page 496 under last but one paragraph held as under: "9. Thus, section 124 of the Act pertains to the territorial jurisdiction of an Assessing Officer vested under sub-section (i) or sub-section (2) of section 120. An objection to such jurisdiction can be raised in terms of section 124(2). In terms of sub-section () of section 124, right to raise such objection shall be foregone beyond the stages mentioned therein. The said provisions are clearly concerning with the dispute of the assessee with respect to the territorial jurisdiction of the Assessing Officer and has no relevance in sofai' as the inherent jurisdiction for passing an order of assessment under section 153A of the Act is concerned, when no search authorization under section 132 was issued or requisition under section 132A of the Act was made."

Similarly,Hon'ble Allahabad high Court in the case ofPrasadChandra vs. IT (supra) in para no.22 has categorically held as under:

"22. As regards the question of determining the jurisdiction, we may Point out that in Moti and .Jawahar (supra), which has been relied upon by the petitioner, the court observed that a point which goes to the root of the mater and which affects the very existence of the jurisdiction of an authority can be raised at any time, be it in appeal or revision." Further, we also noted that the while dealing with similar issue, the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court in the case of Elite Pharmaceuticals vs. ITO (supra), under para 15 held as under: "15. The assessee had questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the assessing officer and the assessing officer held that the assessee had lost the right to raise the objection by efflux of time. We, as such,find no substance in the case of the appellant."

6.11. Attention is also invited to the decision of Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal in the case of a Miscellaneous Application filed by the Department against the decision of Hon'ble Tribunal in case of Tata Communication Ltd vs. Addnl. CIT (ITA No. 7071/Mum/2005) wherein the decision of Hon'ble Delhi Tribunal of Mega Corporation Ltd. vs. Addnl. CIT (ITA No. 102/Del/2014) was considered which was subsequently reversed by the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in case of Mega Corporation ('supra). In MA No. 785/Mum/2017, the Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal has categorically held that the Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal has considered the submissions made by the parties and has applied its mind to the relevant statutory provisions, notifications issued by the CBDT and all the other relevant facts in before concluding that Addnl. CIT has no jurisdiction for conducting the assessment proceedings. It's not a case where the Tribunal had only relied on the decision of Hon'ble Delhi Tribunal in case of Mega Corporation before rendering a positive view. Thus, merely because the Hon'ble Delhi High Court has reversed the decision of the ITAT in Mega Corporation will not make the decisions of the Mumbai ITAT per incunium. (Refer Pg. Nos. 70 to 74of the COJ).

6.12. Further, as regards para 8 of the decision in case of Mega Corporation (supra), the Appellant wishes to submit that whether the assessment order passed by the Addnl. CIT/ JCIT in absence of transfer order u/s 127 of the Act is valid or not was not a question of law raised before the Hon'ble Delhi 1-ugh Court as is evident from the question framed before the Hon'ble High Court. Thus, the Hon'ble Delhi 1-ugh Court, with due respect, had no occasion to appreciate that section 127 operates independently of sections 120 and 124 and the order is not a speaking order with respect to absence of order u/s 127 of the Act. Thus, the Appellant humbly submits that the said decision cannot be treated as a ratio decendi on this aspect.

Sr Ld. DR's contentions Appellant's rebuttal No c) There is a decision of Hon’ble Mumbai Tribunal in admissibility of additional grounds of appeal case of ACIT vs. Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd., (ITA depends on the facts of each case. Hence, the No.4493/Mum/2003) wherein the additional ground aforesaid decision of Stock on similar jurisdiction issue was dismissed. Traders cannot be treated as a precedent for (Para 14.6, Para 14.7) admission of an additional ground in the Appellant's case.

These new arguments were not taken by the ld. DR in the course of physical hearing before the Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble These new arguments were not taken by the ld. Tribunal only by way of this written submission DR in the course of physical hearing before the Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble Tribunal only by way of this written submission Existing Hon'ble ITAT 4 The Appellant humbly submits that during the decisions, on the issue, course of the hearing before the Hon'ble Bench, the Ld. DR had not put cannot be followed as these forward this contention. are per incurium or sub- silentio. The main contention of the Ld. DR here is that the Hon'ble (Para 15 to Para 15.9) Delhi High Court's decision in the case of Mega Corporation (supra) has not been considered/followed by the Mumbai ITAT decisions. In this regard, please refer to our submissions in para 5 and 6 below regarding applicability of the aforesaid High Court decisions to the facts of the present case. These new arguments were not taken by the ld. DR in the course of physical hearing before the Further, the Ld. DR has mentioned that the order of Tata Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble Sons Ltd (ITA No. 4497/Mum/2005) has been Tribunal only by way of this written submission challenged before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court and the Hon'ble High Court has admitted Question of law vide order dated 9 March 2022. In this regard, the Appellant submits that the Hon'ble High Court has not stayed the operation of the order of the Hon'ble Mumbai Tribunal in Tata Sons (supra) and accordingly, at this stage, the said decision is still a binding precedent.

The Ld. DR had only relied upon the decision Bar on the assessee in 5 of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of raising jurisdictional issue Mega Corporation (supra) in the course of beyond one month as per physical hearing. For appellant's submission the provisions of regarding non application of S. 124(3) to the Sec.124(3) of the Act instant case, please refer rebuttal submissions to Mega Corporation (supra) made in Para 6 in (Para 16 to Para 16.1.4)

22 and other appeals M/s.Tata International Ltd. These new arguments were not taken by the ld. this submission. DR in the course of physical hearing before the Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble Tribunal only by way of this written submission The decision of conferring 6 The Ld. DR has also relied on various case laws jurisdiction is an to support this contention which were not filed during the course of the hearing and hence the administrative matter same should not be considered as part of the (Para 17 to Para 17.1.5) record of the present case before the Hon'ble Tribunal. Without prejudice to the above the These new arguments were not taken by the ld. Appellant wishes to submit that when the statute itself requires that specific orders ought DR in the course of physical hearing before the to be passed u/s 120(4)(h) of the Act, then it Hon’ble Bench and are placed before the Hon’ble cannot be said that this is an administrative Tribunal only by way of this written submission matter. The Act u/s 2(7A) clearly defines the Assessing Officer to include Addnl. CIT/JCIT who have been directed u/s 120(4)(b) of the Act. In absence of such an order issued in writing, the Addnl.CIT/JCIT cannot function and exercise powers of an Assessing Officer under the Act. If an Addnl. CIT/JCIT does so without an order authorizing him to do so, he has acted without jurisdiction i.e. without the authority of law.

The decision of the CIT in conferring jurisdiction to a particular Addnl. CIT/JCIT could be an administrative matter at best, but when there is no order issued in writing directing the concerned Addnl. CIT/JCIT who have passed the assessment orders in the present case, then there is clear lack of jurisdiction which cannot be termed as an administrative matter.

3.6. We find that in the instant case while the assessment proceedings u/s.143(3) of the Act was initiated by issue of notice u/s.143(2) of the Act by the ACIT, the draft and final assessment orders for both A.Yrs. 2009-10 and 2010-11 were passed by the Addl. CIT / JCIT without any independent order u/s.120(4)(b) u/s.127 of the Act. From the chronology of events, reproduced supra, we find that assessee had repeatedly asked the 23 and other appeals M/s.Tata International Ltd. ld. AO to produce such orders passed u/s.120(4)(b) and u/s.127 of the Act passed, if any. Despite giving sufficient time to the ld. DR to produce those orders, no such orders were produced by the ld. DR before us for both the assessment years. We find under similar facts and circumstances, this Tribunal had indeed admitted the additional grounds raised by the assessee after a long gap of 10 years or 15 years, as the case may be, and adjudicated those additional grounds and allowed the assessee’s appeal by quashing the assessments framed for want of orders u/s.120(4)(b) and u/s.127 of the Act in the following cases:- a. Decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Tata Sons Ltd., in ITA No.4497/Mum/2005 dated 31/10/2006 reported in 162 ITD 450. b. Decision of Mumbai Tribunal in Tata Communications Ltd., in ITA No.7071/Mum/2005 dated 30/06/2017. c. Decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Tata Communications Ltd., in and ITA No.1015/Mum/2010 dated 16/08/2019. d. Decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Tata Sons Ltd., in ITA No.193/Mum/2006 dated 27/11/2017. e. Decision of Mumbai Tribunal in the case of Kishor Vithaldas in ITA No.5661/Mum/2017 dated 16/10/2019.

3.7. We find that all the oral and written arguments of the ld. DR have been met in detail by the ld. AR before us as detailed supra. The issue in dispute is already addressed by the various decisions of the Tribunal which are reproduced in the ld. AR’s rebuttal referred to supra. The same are not reiterated herein for the sake of brevity. As stated earlier, the issue is already settled by various decisions of the Tribunal in favour of the assessee. 3.8. In view of the aforesaid facts and placing reliance on various decisions relied upon we hold that in the absence of separate order passed u/s.120(4)(b) and order u/s.127 of the Act, the Additional CIT / JCIT had no power to perform the functions of an Assessing Officer u/s.2(7A) of the Act for both the years under consideration. Accordingly, the assessment orders framed by them are hereby quashed. Since the assessment orders framed for both the assessment orders by the Addl. CIT/JCIT are quashed by allowing the additional grounds raised by the assessee, the adjudication of other regular grounds becomes academic in nature and hence, they are left open.

4. In the result, both the appeals of the assessee are allowed.

24 and other appeals M/s.Tata International Ltd.

Order pronounced on 24/03/2023 by way of proper mentioning in the notice board.