GAZE FASHION TRADE LIMITED vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

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CW/6031/2025HC Rajasthan2025:RJ-JD:35991-DB12 August 2025Author: K.R. SHRIRAM, SANDEEP TANEJA2 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the High Court hold?

The Tribunal quashed and set aside the notice dated 30.03.2024 issued under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Court found merit in the petitioner's submission that the notice was issued by the JAO and not the FAO, relying on the precedents of Hexaware Technologies Ltd., Sharda Devi Chhajer, and Shree Cement Limited. The Court acknowledged the revenue's submission regarding the pending SLP in the Hexaware case and granted liberty to the revenue to revive the notice if the Apex Court's decision impacts the cited judgments. The petition was disposed of with this liberty granted to the revenue, keeping open the rights and contentions of both parties.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Gaze Fashion Trade Limited, filed a writ petition challenging a notice issued under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The petitioner contended that the notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO). The respondent, Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, sought time to file a reply, but the Court noted that the respondent had previously been granted time. The notice in question was dated 30.03.2024. The Court had previously granted an interim order to the petitioner on 17th March 2025 and continued it on 28th July 2025.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the notice issued under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, is invalid because it was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO)? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner argued that the notice under Section 148 was issued by the JAO and not the FAO, citing the High Court judgments in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. Vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2), Sharda Devi Chhajer Vs. The Income Tax Officer & Another, and Shree Cement Limited Vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income-Tax & Others. Revenue's Contention: The respondent submitted that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) had been filed in the Hexaware Technologies Ltd. case, and notice had been issued. The revenue requested liberty to revive the notice under Section 148 if the Apex Court were to interfere with the aforementioned judgments.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 148

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
[2025:RJ-JD:35991-DB] HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 6031/2025 Gaze Fashion Trade Limited, Registered Office At Village Bedla Udaipur City Udaipur Girwa Rajasthan India 313001 Through Its Authorized Representative Mr Sumeet Agarwal Son Of Shyam Sunder Agarwal Having Residence At Bunglow No 4 Anand Vivhar Colony M M Choudey Ward Mp ----Petitioner Versus Assistant Commissioner Of Income Tax, Central Circle 1 Aaykar Bhawan Subcity Centre Savinaudaipur Rajasthan ----Respondent For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Sanjay Jhanwar, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Rajat Sharma. For Respondent(s) : Mr. K.K. Bissa. HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. K.R. SHRIRAM HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP TANEJA

Order 12/08/2025

1.

At the outset, respondent is seeking ten days’ time to file reply, but we are not inclined to grant any further time for the reason being counsel for revenue was present before this Court on 17th March 2025 when interim order was granted to petitioner. Even on 28th July 2025 when interim order was continued, counsel for revenue had sought one week’s to file reply. That one week’s time got over on 4th August 2025. 2. One of the primary grounds raised is that notice under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 has been issued by Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO). (Uploaded on 13/08/2025 at 04:21:13 PM) (Downloaded on 27/10/2026 at 11:21:35 PM)

[2025:RJ-JD:35991-DB] (2 of 2) [CW-6031/2025]

3.

Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2)1, Sharda Devi Chhajer Vs. The Income Tax Officer & Another2 and Shree Cement Limited Vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income-Tax & Others3. 5. Shri Bissa submitted that in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. (supra), Revenue has preferred a Special Leave Petition and notice has been issued. Counsel states that in view of the law as it stands today, Court may grant the prayer of petitioner but in case the Apex Court interferes with judgment in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. (supra), Sharda Devi Chhajer (supra) or Shree Cement Limited (supra), then Revenue should be given liberty to revive the notice issued under Section 148 of the Act.

6.

Therefore, keeping open rights and contentions of parties, we quash and set aside notice dated 30.03.2024 issued under Section 148 of the Act with liberty as prayed.

7.

Petition disposed.

8.

Consequently, all pending applications, if any, also stand disposed. (SANDEEP TANEJA),J (K.R. SHRIRAM),CJ 16-a.asopa/- 1 [2024] 162 taxmann.com 225 (Bombay) 2 2025 SCCOnLine Raj 3386 3 DB Civil Writ Petition No.10540/2024, dated 05.08.2025 at Jaipur Bench (unreported) Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) (Uploaded on 13/08/2025 at 04:21:13 PM) (Downloaded on 27/10/2026 at 11:21:35 PM)

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