M/S. P M AGENCY, vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER,

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WP(C)/20611/2023HC KeralaKLHC01045056202325 September 2023Bench: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D. K. SINGH5 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the writ petition, finding no substance in the petitioner's submission. The Court noted that the only email ID registered on the assessee's e-filing portal was aalfp1004g@gmail.com. It was confirmed from the records that all communications, including statutory notices and show cause notices related to the assessment proceedings for the assessment year 2017-18, were served through this registered email ID. The assessment under Section 147 read with Sections 144 and 144B was completed by the order dated 26.04.2023. Therefore, the Court concluded that the notices were duly served on the registered email address, and the petitioner's claim of non-receipt was not substantiated. The principle applied is that notices sent to the registered email address are considered validly served.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, M/s. P M Agency, filed a writ petition challenging an assessment order for assessment year 2017-18 and related demand notices. The petitioner contended that they did not receive notices because the registered email ID with the department, aalfp1004g@gmail.com, was created by an outsider. Consequently, they could not file a reply to show cause notices, leading to the finalization of the assessment order. The petitioner argued that this violated the principles of natural justice and sought to set aside the order and remand the matter for a fresh assessment after allowing them to file a reply. The assessment was reopened under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the order was passed under Sections 147, 144, and 144B.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the assessment order dated 26.04.2023, passed under Section 147 read with Sections 144 and 144B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is liable to be set aside on the grounds of violation of principles of natural justice due to non-receipt of notices by the petitioner-assessee? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner argued that they did not receive notices because the registered email ID (aalfp1004g@gmail.com) was created by an outsider, preventing them from responding to show cause notices and leading to the finalization of the assessment. They contended that this constituted a violation of natural justice and sought a remand for a fresh assessment with an opportunity to file a reply. Revenue's Contention: The Income Tax Department submitted that the assessment was reopened under Section 148 and the assessment order was passed under Section 147 read with Sections 144 and 144B. They stated that all communications, including electronic notices, were sent to the registered email ID (aalfp1004g@gmail.com) on the e-filing portal. As the petitioner did not respond, the assessment was finalized.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 148,Section 147,Section 144,Section 144B

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 MONDAY, THE 25TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 20611 OF 2023 PETITIONER: M/S. P M AGENCY, KUNNAMKULAM, DOOR NO. I/200, KOTTAYIL ROAD, KUNNAMKULAM, THRISSUR DISTRICT, PIN: 680503, KERALA, INDIA , REPRESENTED BY IT.S MANAGING PARTNER MR. MANOJ P MATHEW. BY ADVS. K.LATHA JOMTON F. PAYANKAN RESPONDENTS: 1 INCOME TAX OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD I & TPS, GURUVAYOOR, MUTI-IUVATTOOR - GURUVAYUR RD, WEST NADA, GURUVAYUR, KERALA., PIN - 680101 2 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS), INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, NATIONAL FACELESS APPEAL CENTRE (NFAC), DELHI. 245-A, NORTH BLOCK. NEW DELHI -110001., PIN - 110001 ADV.JOSE JOSEPH-SC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WPC No.20611 of 2023 2 JUDGMENT Dated this the 25th day of September, 2023 1. The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India impugning Exts.P3 assessment order for the assessment year 2017-18 and the demand notices Exts.P1 and P2 pursuant to the said assessment order. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the e-mail id registered with the department ie. aalfp1004g@gmail.com, was created by an outsider and therefore the petitioner did not receive the notices issued to him and therefore, he could not file reply to the said show cause notices and the assessment order has been finalised. The learned counsel further submits that there has been violation of principles of natural justice. The impugned order may be set aside and the matter may be remanded back for affording an opportunity to the petitioner to file his reply to the said notices for passing a fresh assessment order.

WPC No.20611 of 2023 3 3. On the other hand, Sri.Jose Joseph, learned Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department submitted that the petitioner’s assessment was reopened under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘The Act’ for short). The assessment order was passed on 26.04.2023 under Section 147 read with Section 144 and 144B of the Act. Every communications were sent to the petitioner, including notices electronically, through the registered e- mail id with e-filing portal ie. aalfp1004g@gmail.com. As the petitioner did not responded to any of the notices and communications, the assessment order has been finalised. 4. I have considered the submissions on behalf of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the respondents. 5. On the e-filing portal of the asssessee, the only e- mail id registered is aalfp1004g@gmail.com. The communications and notices have been sent to the registered email id of the petitioner-assessee. From the records available on the system/ITBA, it can be seen that, all communications including statutory notices and show causes in connection with the assessment proceedings for the assessment year 2017-18 were served through the

WPC No.20611 of 2023 4 registered e-mail id of the petitioner. Assessment under Section 147 read with Section 144 and 144B of the Act was completed in the case by Ext.P3 order dated 26.04.2023. 6. Considering the above facts, I find no substance in the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner. Therefore, this writ petition fails, which is hereby dismissed. Sd/- DINESH KUMAR SINGH JUDGE AP

WPC No.20611 of 2023 5 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 20611/2023 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED 30/5/2023 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED 14-06- 2023 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 26/04/2023 FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2017- 2018 ISSUED BY THE SECOND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER U/S 147 R.W.S 144 AND READ WITH SECTION144B OF THE INCOME TAX ACT RESPONDENT ANNEXURES Annexure R1(A) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of the user Profile Of the petitioner in the efiling portal . Annexure R1(B) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of emails. Annexure R1(C) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery of emails. Annexure R1(D) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery of e-mails. Annexure R1(E) True copy of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of emails. Annexure R1(F) True copy of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery of e-mails. Annexure R1(G) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of emails. Annexure R1(H) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of emaiis. Annexure R1(I) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of e-mails. Annexure R1(J) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery of emails. Annexure R1(K) True copy Of the Screen Shot Of evidencing delivery Of e-mails. Annexure R1(L) True copy Of the Screen Shot of evidencing delivery of emails.

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