MANISH SOMANI vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER WARD 1

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CW/14274/2023HC Rajasthan2025:RJ-JD:37681-DB22 August 2025Author: K.R. SHRIRAM, SANDEEP TANEJA2 pages
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What did the High Court hold?

The Tribunal quashed and set aside the notice dated 13.04.2023 issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The primary reasoning was that the notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO), which was a ground extensively dealt with in cited precedents. The Tribunal acknowledged the revenue's submission regarding the pending SLP in the Hexaware Technologies Ltd. case and the potential for the Apex Court to interfere with the existing judgments. Consequently, the Tribunal granted liberty to the revenue to revive the notice issued under Section 148 if the Apex Court's decision impacts the aforementioned judgments. The Tribunal clarified that the petitioner did not press other grounds. The petition was disposed of with this liberty granted to the revenue.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Manish Somani, challenged a notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The primary ground for the challenge was that the notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not by a Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO). The respondent, Income Tax Officer Ward 1, Bhilwara, issued the notice. The judgment does not specify the assessment year(s) or the amount in dispute. The procedural history involves the petitioner filing a writ petition before the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur.

What were the issues?

1. Whether a notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) is valid when it should have been issued by a Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO)? (Question of law and fact, concerning Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961). Assessee's Contention: The notice under Section 148 was issued by the JAO and not the FAO, rendering it invalid. The assessee relied on the decisions 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 revenue acknowledged that the notice was issued by the JAO. They submitted that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) has been preferred by the Revenue in the Hexaware Technologies Ltd. case, and notice has been issued. The revenue requested liberty to revive the notice under Section 148 if the Apex Court interferes with the judgments in Hexaware Technologies Ltd., Sharda Devi Chhajer, or Shree Cement Limited.

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:37681-DB] HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 14274/2023 Manish Somani S/o Ram Dayal Somani, Aged About 40 Years, R/ o Shri Ram Sadan, Bhadada Bagh, Gulabpura (Rural), Bhilwara, Rajasthan 311021. ----Petitioner Versus Income Tax Officer Ward 1, Bhilwara, Kawa Khera Chourha, Shashtri Nagar, Bhilwara, Bhilwara, Rjasthan, 311001 ----Respondent For Petitioner : Mr. Mahendra Gargieya, through V.C. Mr. Jaideep Singh Saluja For Respondent : Mr. K.K. Bissa HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. K.R. SHRIRAM HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP TANEJA

Order 22/08/2025

1.

Counsel for petitioner states that 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).

2.

Indisputably, the notice to petitioner has been issued by the JAO and not FAO.

3.

Counsel for petitioner is correct in submitting that this issue has been extensively dealt with in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. Vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1) (2)1, Sharda Devi Chhajer Vs. The Income Tax Officer & Commissioner of Income-Tax & Others3. 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) (Uploaded on 26/08/2025 at 02:45:51 PM) (Downloaded on 28/10/2026 at 12:27:14 AM) [2025:RJ-JD:37681-DB] (2 of 2) [CW-14274/2023]

4.

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.

5.

Therefore, keeping open all rights and contentions of parties, we quash and set aside notice dated 13.04.2023 issued under Section 148 of the Act with liberty as prayed.

6.

In view of above, we also clarify that petitioner did not press other grounds.

7.

Petition disposed.

8.

Consequently, all pending applications, if any, also stand disposed. (SANDEEP TANEJA),J (K.R. SHRIRAM),CJ 19-MohitTak/- Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) (Uploaded on 26/08/2025 at 02:45:51 PM) (Downloaded on 28/10/2026 at 12:27:14 AM)

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