BASHEER N.A. vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 1

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WP(C)/31840/2013HC KeralaKLHC01075024201320 December 20135 pages
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What did the High Court hold?

The High Court directed the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) to pass an appropriate order on the stay petition (Ext.P5) in accordance with law, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. This order was to be passed at the earliest, within one month from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. Pending the disposal of the stay petition, the 'status quo' was to be maintained. The Court did not quash the assessment order directly but addressed the immediate concern of coercive recovery by directing the disposal of the stay application. The issue of quashing the assessment order was implicitly deferred pending the outcome of the appeal and stay petition. The Court disposed of the writ petition with these directions.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, Basheer N.A., filed a writ petition before the High Court of Kerala challenging an Income Tax Assessment Order (Ext.P1) passed by the Income Tax Officer, Ward 1, Kasaragod. The petitioner had already filed an appeal (Ext.P2) and a stay petition (Ext.P5) before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), Kozhikode. The petitioner's grievance was that coercive recovery proceedings were being initiated by the Income Tax Officer, as evidenced by Exts.P3 and P4, while the appeal and stay petition were pending. The petitioner sought to quash the assessment order, direct the disposal of the appeal and stay petition, and stay recovery proceedings.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the High Court should quash the Income Tax Assessment Order passed by the Income Tax Officer, Ward 1, Kasaragod, under its writ jurisdiction (Section 226(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, implicitly relevant to recovery). The petitioner argued for quashing the assessment order and staying recovery. The revenue, represented by the Standing Counsel, did not record specific arguments on this point but was heard. 2. Whether a writ of mandamus should be issued directing the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) to dispose of the appeal and stay petition expeditiously. The petitioner contended for an early disposal of the pending appeal and stay application. The revenue was heard on the matter.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 226(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON FRIDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2013/29TH AGRAHAYANA, 1935 WP(C).No. 31840 of 2013 (D) ---------------------------- PETITIONER(S) : ----------------------

BASHEER N.A.

S/O NEKKARRE ABDULLAKUNHI, PULIKOOR HOUSE,

SHIRIBAGLLU P.O KUDLU, KASARAGOD.

BY ADVS.SRI.K.P.ABDUL AZEES

SMT.C.AMRITA

SMT.T.ARCHANA RESPONDENT(S) : ------------------------- 1. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 1,

KASARAGOD-671 121. 2. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)

KOZHIKODE-673 001.

BY SRI.JOSE JOSEPH, SC, FOR INCOME TAX

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 20-12-2013, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: AMV

: 2 : WP(C).No. 31840 of 2013 (D) --------------------------------------- APPENDIX PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS : ------------------------------------- EXHIBIT P1: COPY OF THE INCOME TAX ASSESSMENT ORDER BY INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 1, KASARAGOD. EXHIBIT P2: COPY OF APPEAL MEMORANDUM FILED BEFOR ETHE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS). EXHIBIT P3: COPY OF ARREAR NOTICE DATED 30.9.2013 ISSUED BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P4: COPY OF NOTICE UNDER SECTION 226 (3) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT 1961, ISSUED BY THE INCOME TAX OFFICER. EXHIBIT P5: COPY OF APPLICATION FOR STAY FILED BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS) RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS : NIL --------------------------------------- /TRUE COPY/ P.A.TO JUDGE AMV

P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, J. --------------------------------------- W.P.(C) NO.31840 of 2013 (D) ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 20th day of December, 2013 JUDGMENT The petitioner has approached this Court with the following prayers : It is therefore prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased: (i) To call for in the records leading the Ext.P1 Assessment Order and quash the same by issuing a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, direction, order. (ii) To call for in the records leading to Ext.P2 Appeal and issue writ of mandamus to dispose off the same at the earliest. (iii) To call for the records leading to Ext.P5 Applications for Stay and issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, direction, order to dispose off the same. (iv)To stay the recovery steps pursuant to Ext.P1 Assessment Order and Recovery notice as per Exts.P3 and P4 till the disposal of appeal by the 2nd respondent. (v) To pass such orders or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the circumstances of the case.

W.P.(C) NO.31840 of 2013 (D) 2 2. Being aggrieved of Ext.P1 Assessment Order passed by the 1st Respondent, the petitioner has already preferred Ext.P2 Memorandum of Appeal along with Ext.P5 petition for stay, which are pending consideration before the 2nd respondent. The grievance of the petitioner is with regard to the coercive proceedings being taken in the meanwhile, as borne by Exts.P3 and P4 and hence the writ petition. 3. Heard the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents as well. 4. Considering the facts and circumstances, there will be a direction to the 2nd respondent, to pass appropriate order on Ext.P5 in accordance with law, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, which shall be done at the earliest, at any rate within 'one month' from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. 'Status quo' shall be maintained till such time.

W.P.(C) NO.31840 of 2013 (D) 3 5. The petitioner shall produce a copy of this judgment along with a copy of the writ petition before the 2nd respondent for further steps. The writ petition is disposed of. sd/- P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON,

JUDGE AMV

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