THAYYIL BALAKRISHNAN PRADEEP, vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER,

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WP(C)/19157/2023HC KeralaKLHC01041730202319 March 2024Bench: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D. K. SINGH5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the writ petition. The Court found that the petitioner was already in appeal against the assessment order and could raise any grounds available to him under the law, including the non-supply of documents, within that appellate process. The Court viewed the writ petition as a tactic to delay the conclusion of the appellate proceedings and an abuse of the process of the court. Therefore, the prayer for a direction to supply documents at this belated stage was not entertained. The Court found no reason to interfere with the ongoing appellate proceedings by entertaining the writ petition. Pending interlocutory applications were also dismissed.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Thayyill Balakrishnan Pradeep, filed a writ petition before the High Court of Kerala seeking to quash an order (Ext.P5) issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (2nd respondent) and to direct the 2nd respondent to furnish copies of a survey report. The petitioner had applied for this report via Ext.P4. The Revenue, represented by the Senior Standing Counsel, submitted that the survey report in Form-E was already handed over to the petitioner. It was also stated that an internal survey report, prepared for departmental convenience, was not relied upon for finalizing the assessment. The petitioner is already in appeal against the assessment order, and all documents and statements relied upon by the assessing authority were supplied. The Revenue argued that the petitioner could raise any issue regarding non-supply of documents as a ground in the ongoing appeal.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P5 issued by the 2nd respondent? 2. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a writ of mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to furnish copies of the survey report as prayed for in Ext.P4? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner sought to quash an order and obtain a survey report. The specific arguments for seeking the report are not detailed beyond the prayer in Ext.P4. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue argued that the survey report in Form-E was already provided to the petitioner. An internal survey report was not relied upon for assessment. The petitioner is already pursuing an appeal against the assessment order and can raise any grievance regarding document supply as a ground in that appeal. The Revenue contended that the writ petition was a tactic to delay appellate proceedings and an abuse of the court's process.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 132A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DINESH KUMAR SINGH TUESDAY, THE 19TH DAY OF MARCH 2024 / 29TH PHALGUNA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 19157 OF 2023 PETITIONER/S: THAYYIL BALAKRISHNAN PRADEEP, AGED 56 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNAN, THAYYIL HOUSE, KANIMANGALAM, PALISSERI, THRISSUR., PIN - 680027 BY ADVS. HARISANKAR V. MENON MEERA V.MENON R.SREEJITH K.KRISHNA PARVATHY MENON RESPONDENT/S: 1 THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, WARD 2 (2), AAYAKAR BHAVAN, SAKTHAN THAMPURAN NAGAR, THRISSUR, PIN – 680001. 2 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CENTRAL CIRCLE, INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, AAYAKAR BHAVAN, SAKTHAN THAMPURAN NAGAR, THRISSUR, PIN – 680001. OTHER PRESENT: SRI. JOSE JOSEPH- SR.SC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 19.03.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WP(C) NO. 19157 OF 2023 2 J U D G M E N T The present writ petition has been filed mainly seeking the following prayers: “(i) To quash Ext.P5 issued by the 2nd respondent by the issue of a writ of certiorari or such other writ or order or direction. (ii) To direct the 2nd respondent to furnish copies of the survey report as prayed for in Ext.P4 application, at the earliest by the issue of a writ of mandamus or such other writ or order or direction.” 2. Sri.Jose Joseph, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the Revenue, submits that the petitioner, in fact, is asking for a direction from this Court for providing survey report prepared by the survey team while conducting survey under Section 132A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. He further submits that the survey report prepared at the time of survey in Form-E was handed over to the petitioner. It is also submitted that while finalising the assessment proceedings, the internal survey report prepared

WP(C) NO. 19157 OF 2023 3 for departmental convenience has not been relied upon. The petitioner is already in appeal against the assessment order. Every document and statement relied upon by the assessing authority was supplied to the petitioner. Considering the fact that the petitioner is already in appeal against the assessment order, he is entitled to take every ground, which is available to him under the law. However, there is no question of entertaining this writ petition, which this Court finds nothing but a tactics applied by the petitioner to delay the conclusion of the appellate proceedings. If the petitioner feels that some documents relied upon by the assessing authority have not been supplied to him despite demand, the same may be a ground to challenge the assessment order. But, at this belated stage, the petitioner cannot approach this Court for a direction for supply of the documents/report. I find that this writ petition is nothing, but an abuse of process of court and the

same

hereby

dismissed. Pending

WP(C) NO. 19157 OF 2023 4 interlocutory application, if any, in the present writ petition stands dismissed. Sd/- DINESH KUMAR SINGH

JUDGE jg

WP(C) NO. 19157 OF 2023 5 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 19157/2023 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE YEAR 2013-14 DTD. 21-03- 2022 Exhibit P2 COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE YEAR 2014-15 DTD. 23-03- 2022 Exhibit P3 COPY OF ASSESSMENT ORDER ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT FOR THE YEAR 2015-16 DTD. 24-03- 2022 Exhibit P4 COPY OF LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT DTD. NIL Exhibit P5 COPY OF LETTER ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT DTD. 03-05-2023 Exhibit P6 COPY OF ORDER IN FILE NO. 414/105/2008-IT (INV.I) ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE NEW DELHI DTD. 30-11-2009

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