HARI MULCHAND BHATIA AY 2020 21 vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax Central Circle 1 Thane
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court disposed of the Writ Petition by directing the Petitioner to pursue the Appeal already filed before the CIT (Appeals) against both the Section 148 Notice and the Assessment Order. The Court explicitly kept open all contentions challenging these impugned actions, including those raised in the Writ Petition, for agitation before the CIT (Appeals). It was further directed that the impugned Assessment Order shall not be acted upon until the Appeal before the CIT (Appeals) is decided. The Court clarified that all contentions of all parties are expressly kept open to be decided by the CIT (Appeals) on its own merits and in accordance with law. No decision was made on the merits of the case.
What were the facts?
The Petitioner, Hari Mulchand Bhatia, filed a Writ Petition before the Bombay High Court challenging a Notice dated 14.09.2023 issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and an Assessment Order dated 26.02.2025. These actions pertain to Assessment Year 2020-21. The Petitioner sought to quash these orders and prevent the Revenue from proceeding further with re-assessment. The Petitioner's counsel informed the Court that an Appeal against the Assessment Order had already been filed before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and was pending. The Revenue's counsel did not dispute this fact.
What were the issues?
The primary issue before the High Court was whether to entertain the Writ Petition when an Appeal against the impugned Assessment Order was already pending before the CIT (Appeals). The Petitioner argued that the Court should follow its precedent in Shantilal Prabhudas & Co. vs. Income-tax Officer, where similar circumstances led to a direction to pursue the pending appeal, with contentions kept open and the assessment order not acted upon until the appeal was decided. The Revenue did not dispute the pendency of the appeal or the Petitioner's reliance on the Shantilal Prabhudas case.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
as well as the impugned Assessment Order. (b) All contentions challenging the impugned Notice and the Assessment Order, on all grounds available to the Petitioner, including the ones raised in the present Writ Petition, are kept open to be agitated before the CIT Appeals.
(c) Until the Appeal before CIT Appeals is decide, the impugned Assessment Order shall not be acted upon.
It is once again clarified that all contentions of all parties are expressly kept open to be agitated before the CIT Appeals and which shall be decided by the CIT Appeals on its own merits and in accordance with law.
The Writ Petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. However, there shall be no order as to costs. MARCH 25, 2026 Mohite
7 wp3759-26.doc
This order will be Personal Assistant of this Court. All concerned will act on production by fax or email of a digitally signed copy of this order. [FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J.] [B. P. COLABAWALLA, J.] MARCH 25, 2026 Mohite
More judgments on Section 148
- ACIT Central Bilaspur, Bilaspur vs Arun Kumar Agrawal, SaktiITSSA 26/RPR/2025[2018-19]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2018-19
- Vinod Agrawal, Kawardha vs Assisstant Commissioner of Income Tax…ITA 666/RPR/2026[2019-20]Status: Heard21 Oct 2026AY 2019-20
- Sar Business Tradelink Private Limited… vs Income Tax Officer, Ward - 1(2), RaipurITA 599/RPR/2026[2014-15]Status: Heard21 Oct 2026AY 2014-15
- Neo Incorporation, Rajkot vs DCIT Circle- 1(2), RajkotITA 471/RJT/2026[2012-2013]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2012-2013
- Adj Agri International LLP, Rajkot vs The Income Tax Officer, Ward-1(1)(1), RajkotITA 1198/RJT/2026[2018-19]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2018-19
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S Aasha Industries vs. State Of U.P. And AnotherAllahabad · 22 Oct 2026
- M/S Bharat Iron Scrap vs. State Of U.P. And AnotherAllahabad · 22 Oct 2026
- Mascot Constructions Co. And Another vs. The Commissioner Of Goods And Services Tax (GST) And AnotherBombay · 22 Oct 2026
- Ankil Jagdishchandra Kholwadwala vs. Union Of INDIA And AnrBombay · 22 Oct 2026
- Fasil Hussain Shah vs. Ut Of J And K Th Commissioner Secretary TO Government Finance Department And OthersJammu and Kashmir and Ladakh · 21 Oct 2026