SANDEEP BHARGAVA vs. INCOME-TAX OFFICER

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CW/16650/2025HC Rajasthan2025:RJ-JD:41161-DB16 September 2025Author: K.R. SHRIRAM, RAVI CHIRANIA2 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the High Court hold?

The Tribunal quashed and set aside the notice dated 19.06.2025 issued under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, and the assessment order dated 19.06.2025 passed under Section 148A(3) of the Act. This decision was based on the ground that the notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO), a point conceded by the revenue and supported by prior High Court judgments. The Tribunal granted liberty to the revenue to revive the notice if the Supreme Court were to interfere with the precedents relied upon by the petitioner. The operative direction was to quash the impugned notice and order, with liberty reserved for the revenue.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Sandeep Bhargava, challenged a notice under Section 148 and an assessment order under Section 148A(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The primary contention was that the notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) and not the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO). The judgment acknowledges that the notice was indeed issued by the JAO. The respondent revenue conceded that the issue had been extensively dealt with in prior judgments. The revenue also submitted that while the court might grant the petitioner's prayer based on current law, it should be given liberty to revive the notice if the Supreme Court were to interfere with the aforementioned judgments.

What were the issues?

1. Whether a notice under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) instead of the Faceless Assessing Officer (FAO) is valid? (Question of law) Assessee's Contention: The notice under Section 148 was issued by the JAO and not the FAO, which is contrary to the established procedure. The assessee relied on the judgments in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. Vs. Assistant Commissioner of 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. Revenue's Contention: The revenue acknowledged the prior judgments. It submitted that while the court could grant the petitioner's prayer based on the current legal position, the revenue should be granted liberty to revive the notice under Section 148 if the Supreme Court were to overturn the decisions in Hexaware Technologies Ltd., Sharda Devi Chhajer, or Shree Cement Limited.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 148,Section 148A(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
[2025:RJ-JD:41161-DB] HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 16650/2025 Sandeep Bhargava S/o Shri Chandu Lal Bhargava, Aged About 33 Years, Ward No. 20, Purani Line, Kumharo Ka Mohalla, Gangashehar, Bikaner, Rajasthan. ----Petitioner Versus Income-Tax Officer, Ward - 01(2), Aaykar Bhawan, Rani Bazar, Bikaner. ----Respondent For Petitioner : Mr. Lokesh Mathur, Advocate Mr. Prakash Kumar, Advocate Mr. Hemant Singh Solanki, Advocate For Respondent : Mr. K.K. Bissa, Advocate HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. K.R. SHRIRAM HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI CHIRANIA

Order 16/09/2025

1.

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.

Shri Mathur 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 Officer & Another2 and Shree Cement Limited Vs. Assistant 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 17/09/2025 at 05:11:39 PM) (Downloaded on 28/10/2026 at 12:39:00 AM)

[2025:RJ-JD:41161-DB] (2 of 2) [CW-16650/2025]

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 19.06.2025 issued under Section 148 of the Act and assessment order dated 19.06.2025 passed under Section 148A(3) of the Act with liberty as prayed.

6.

Petition disposed.

7.

Consequently, all pending applications, if any, also stand disposed. (RAVI CHIRANIA),J (K.R. SHRIRAM),CJ 8-pooja/- Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) (Uploaded on 17/09/2025 at 05:11:39 PM) (Downloaded on 28/10/2026 at 12:39:00 AM)

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