SURENDRA KANTILAL VORA vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER WARD 2 PANDHARPUR AND ORS

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WP/7400/2025HC BombayHCBM07026559202522 July 2025Author: HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE B.P. COLABAWALLA,HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE FIRDOSH PHIROZE POONIWALLA4 pages
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What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that since the issue raised by the petitioner was squarely covered by the Division Bench decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. V/S Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2) [(2024) 162 taxmann.com 225 (Bombay)], the Court was bound to follow it. Accordingly, the impugned Notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and all consequential proceedings and orders emanating therefrom were set aside. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to revive the Writ Petition if the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. was set aside by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The Court clarified that revival could be sought by filing a Praecipe, and if the Supreme Court dismissed the SLP challenging the Hexaware decision, there would be no question of revival. The Court also noted that if the Petition were revived, it would be decided on its own merits, considering other issues raised by the petitioner. The Rule was made absolute, and the Writ Petition was disposed of.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Surendra Kantilal Vora, filed a Writ Petition before the Bombay High Court challenging a Notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The petition was admitted, and Rule was issued on June 17, 2025, with interim relief staying the Section 148 Notice. The matter was heard finally with the consent of both parties. The petitioner argued that the Notice was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer when the law mandates issuance by a Faceless Assessing Officer, which they contended was a fatal defect. The Revenue acknowledged that this issue was covered by a Division Bench decision of the High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. V/S Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2) [(2024) 162 taxmann.com 225 (Bombay)], but noted that this decision was challenged before the Supreme Court.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is liable to be quashed on the ground that it was issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer instead of the Faceless Assessing Officer, as mandated by law? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner argued that the issuance of the Section 148 Notice by the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer, when the law requires it to be issued by a Faceless Assessing Officer, constitutes a fatal defect, warranting the quashing of the Notice. They relied on the decision of the Bombay High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. V/S Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2) [(2024) 162 taxmann.com 225 (Bombay)]. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue conceded that the issue was covered by the Hexaware Technologies Ltd. decision but stated that this decision had been challenged before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and was likely to be taken up immediately on re-opening. They acknowledged that there was no stay granted to the Hexaware Technologies Ltd. judgment.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 148

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

sr.67-wp-7400-2025.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 7400 OF 2025 Surendra Kantilal Vora .. Petitioner Versus Income Tax Officer, Ward 2 Pandharpur & ors. .. Respondents Adv. Rutuja N. Pawar (Through V. C.) a/w Adv. Hetal Laghave and Adv. Sneha More, for the Petitioner. Adv. Akhileshwar Sharma for the Respondents.

CORAM: B. P. COLABAWALLA & FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, JJ. DATE: JULY 22, 2025 P. C.

1.

In the above Petition Rule was issued on 17 June 2025 and interim relief was also granted interalia staying the Notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Today, though the matter has come up under the caption “for directions”, we have, with the consent of parties, heard it finally.

2.

The above Writ Petition interalia challenges the Notice issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 on various grounds. One of the grounds is that the Notice has been issued by the Jurisdictional Assessing JULY 22, 2025 Mansi shelke TRUSHA TUSHAR MOHITE TRUSHA TUSHAR MOHITE Date: 2025.07.28 15:29:40 +0530

sr.67-wp-7400-2025.doc

Officer when the law mandates that it has to be issued by the Faceless Assessing Officer. This is a fatal defect and therefore the Notice has to be quashed, is the argument of the Petitioner.

3.

It is the Petitioners’ contention that this issue is squarely covered by a decision of a Division Bench of this Court in the case of Hexaware Technologies Ltd. V/S Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax, Circle 15(1)(2) [(2024) 162 taxmann.com 225 (Bombay)].

4.

On the other hand, the learned advocate appearing on behalf of the Revenue stated that though it is true that this issue is concluded by the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra), the said decision has been challenged before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and the Hon’ble Supreme Court is likely to take up the matter immediately on re-opening. He has fairly stated that there is no stay to the judgment in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra).

5.

Considering these facts, we do not propose to keep the matter pending in this Court. Once it is fully covered by the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) we are bound to follow it. JULY 22, 2025 Mansi shelke

sr.67-wp-7400-2025.doc

6.

We accordingly set aside the impugned Notice issued under Section 148 and all other proceedings/orders emanating therefrom.

7.

We however grant liberty to the Revenue to revive the above Writ Petition in the event the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) is set aside by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on this issue. We make it clear that it will not be necessary for the Revenue to file a separate Interim Application to seek a revival of this Petition and the same can be done simply by moving a Praecipe before this Court. It is needless to clarify that if the Hon’ble Supreme Court dismisses the SLP challenging the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (Supra), there would be no question of any revival.

8.

We also make it clear that once the Petition is revived and restored, the same would have to be decided on its own merits considering that several other issues are also raised challenging the Notice issued under Section 148. 9. Rule is accordingly made absolute and the Writ Petition is also disposed of in terms thereof. However, there shall be no order as to costs. JULY 22, 2025 Mansi shelke

sr.67-wp-7400-2025.doc

10.

This order will be Personal Assistant of this Court. All concerned will act on production by fax or email of a digitally signed copy of this order. [FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J.] [B. P. COLABAWALLA, J.] JULY 22, 2025 Mansi shelke

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