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Facts
The assessee filed an appeal against the order of the CIT(A) for AY 2018-19, noting a delay of 224 days which was condoned. The primary issue revolved around the jurisdiction of the Assessing Officer who issued the notice u/s 148, in light of a CBDT notification mandating a faceless assessment scheme.
Held
The Tribunal held that the CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022, which mandates a faceless procedure for assessment and reassessment, was applicable. As the notice u/s 148 was not issued in a faceless manner, the entire proceedings were vitiated.
Key Issues
Whether notices issued under Section 148 and subsequent orders are invalid if not in compliance with the faceless assessment scheme notified by the CBDT.
Sections Cited
147, 148, 148A, 144B
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘B’ BENCH: CHENNAI
Before: SHRI MANU KUMAR GIRI & SHRI JAGADISH
Year: 2018-19 v. Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai, The ITO, 12-5 G/4, Kumaragam Garden, International Taxation Ward, Channel Street, Vadakkoor, Thovalai, Tuticorin. Kanyakumari 629 302. [PAN: AHEPB 2348 F] (अपीलार्थी/Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/Respondent) : अपीलार्थी की ओर से/ Appellant by Mr. N. Arjun Raj, Advocate प्रत्यर्थी की ओर से /Respondent by : Ms. Gauthami Manivasagam, JCIT सुनवाईकीतारीख/Date of Hearing : 17.07.2025 घोर्णाकीतारीख /Date of Pronouncement : 28.07.2025 आदेश / O R D E R
PER MANU KUMAR GIRI, JM:
1. This is an appeal preferred by the assessee against the order of the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) Chennai-16, (hereinafter in short ‘the Ld.CIT(A)’), dated 31.07.2024 for the Assessment Year (hereinafter in short ‘AY’) 2018-19.
2. The registry has noted delay of ‘224’ days in filing the appeal. Considering the period of delay and reasons pleaded, we condone the delay and admit the appeal for adjudication.
(AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai 3. At the outset, the Ld. Counsel for the assessee has raised an additional ground relating to jurisdiction of Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (‘JAO’) in the light of the CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022. The Ld.DR, Ms. Gauthami Manivasagam, JCIT, objected admission of additional ground raised by the assessee.
We have heard admission of legal issue and found any substance in the submissions of the Ld. Counsel for the assessee and hence, we admit the legal issue/jurisdictional ground in view of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of NTPC v. CIT reported in [1998] 229 ITR 383 (SC). The Ld. Counsel for the assessee referred to Page Nos.5 to 8 of the Paper Book which consists of notice u/s.148 of the Act and order in Clause (d) of section 148A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act‘) and pointed out that the notice u/s.148 has been issued by the ITO, Non-Corporate Ward-3, Coimbatore, and similarly, the order under Clause (d) to Section 148A of the Act has been passed by the ITO, Non-Corporate Ward-3, Coimbatore. He further referred to CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022 which formulated a Scheme called “the e- assessment of income assessment scheme, 2022”. The Ld.DR relied upon the impugned order and further, pleaded that CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022 is not applicable in the present case.
(AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai 5. We have heard the rival submissions perused the appeal papers and case law cited by the assessee. We find that the CBDT issued a Notification dated 29.03.2022 formulating “the e-assessment of income assessment Scheme, 2022”. The Scheme provides that (a) the assessment/re-assessment are re-computation u/s.147 of the Act and (b) issuance of notice u/s.148 of the Act shall be through automated allocation, in accordance with risk management strategy formulated by the Board as referred u/s.148 of the Act for issuance of notice and in a faceless manner to the extent providing in Section 144B of the Act with reference to making assessment/re-assessment of total income or loss of the assessee. We find that the impugned notice u/s.148 dated 22.04.2022 has been issued by the ITO(IT), Ward Tuticorin [JAO] and not by the NFAC which is not in accordance with the aforesaid Scheme. We also find that the impugned order under Clause (d) to Section 148A of the Act has been issued after CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022. Hence, the aforesaid CBDT Notification dated 29.03.2022 is directly applicable in this case.
6. The Hon’ble Telangana High Court in Kankanala Ravindra Reddy Vs ITO (2023) 156 taxmann.com 178 (Telangana) and Hon’ble Bombay High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd Vs ACIT (2024) 464 ITR 430 (Bom) has decided the controversy in favour of the assessee.
(AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai 7. Further, the Hon’ble Telangana High Court in Sri Venkatramana Reddy Patloola Vs DCIT [Writ Petition Nos.13353, 16141 and 16877 of 2024 dated 24.07.2024], following the judgments of the Hon’ble Telangana High Court in Kankanala Ravindra Reddy Vs ITO (2023) 156 taxmann.com 178 (Telangana) and Hon’ble Bombay High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd Vs ACIT (2024) 464 ITR 430 (Bom) has set aside the notices issued u/s 148 and held as under:
In view of foregoing analysis, it is clear that the respondents have erred in not following the mandatory faceless procedure as prescribed in the scheme dated 29.03.2022. Since notices under Section 148 of the Act were not issued in a faceless manner, the entire further proceeding founded upon it and assessment orders stand vitiated. Thus, the impugned notices under Section 148 of the Act and all consequential assessment orders based thereupon are set aside. Liberty is reserved to the respondents to proceed against the petitioners in accordance with law. 8. The Hon’ble Telangana High Court in DEEPANJAN ROY Vs ADIT (INT TAXN) 2 HYD & ANR [Writ Petition No.23573 of 2024 dated 29.08.2024], following the judgment in Writ Petition No.13353 of 2024 and batch dated 24.07.2024 held as under:
In view of the consensus arrived at, this Writ Petition is allowed in terms of order passed in W.P.No.13353 of 2024 and batch. The direction contained in the said order shall apply mutatis mutandis to this case with full force. No costs.
The revenue further filed Special Leave Petition (Civil) before the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide SLP(C) No. 018753 / 2025, Diary No (AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai (s).33956/2025 titled ADIT (INT TAXN) 2 HYD & ANR Vs DEEPANJAN ROY, challenging the judgment of the Hon’ble Telangana High Court passed in Writ Petition No.23573 of 2024 dated 29.08.2024. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court upon hearing the counsel the made the following order 16-07-2025 as under:
Delay condoned.
2. Exemption Application is allowed.
Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners – Revenue and having gone through the materials on record, we find no good reason to interfere with the impugned order passed by the High Court. 3. The Special Leave Petition is, accordingly, dismissed. 4. Pending applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. 10. We further note that the revenue’s SLP(C) No. 021188/ 2024 in the case of Hexaware Technologies Ltd against the judgment of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd Vs ACIT (2024) 464 ITR 430 (Bom) is still pending adjudication before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement in the case of Kunhayammed v. State of Kerala [2000] 113 Taxman 470/245 ITR 360 (SC) has summarised the doctrine of merger as follows:- "Where an appeal or revision is provided before a superior forum against an order passed by a Court, Tribunal or any other authority and such superior forum modifies, reverses or affirms the decision put in issue before it, the decision by the subordinate forum merges with the decision by the superior forum and it is the latter which subsists, remains operative and is capable of enforcement in the eye of law"
The Supreme Court in the aforesaid case has concluded as follows:- (i) Where an appeal or revision is provided against an order passed by a court, tribunal or any other authority before superior forum and such superior forum modifies, reverses or affirms the decision put in issue before it, the decision by the subordinate forum merges in the decision by the superior forum and it is the latter which subsists, remains operative and is capable of enforcement in the eye of law. (ii) The jurisdiction conferred by Article 136 of the Constitution is divisible into two stages. The first stage is upto the disposal of prayer for special leave to file an appeal. The second stage commences if and when the leave to appeal is granted and the special leave petition is converted into an appeal. (iii) The doctrine of merger is not a doctrine of universal or unlimited application. It will depend on the nature of jurisdiction exercised by the superior forum and the content or subject-matter of challenge laid or capable of being laid shall be determinative of the applicability of merger. The superior jurisdiction should be capable of reversing, modifying or affirming the order put in issue before it. Under Article 136 of the Constitution the Supreme Court may reverse, modify or affirm the judgment-decree or order appealed against while exercising its appellate jurisdiction and not while exercising the discretionary jurisdiction disposing of petition for special leave to appeal. The doctrine of merger can therefore be applied to the former and not to the latter. (iv) An order refusing special leave to appeal may be a non-speaking order or a speaking one. In either case it does not attract the doctrine of merger. An order refusing special leave to appeal does not stand substituted in place of the order under challenge. All that it means is that the Court was not inclined to exercise its discretion so as to allow the appeal being filed. (v) If the order refusing leave to appeal is a speaking order, i.e., gives reasons for refusing the grant of leave, then the order has two implications. Firstly, the statement of law contained in the order is a declaration of law by the Supreme Court within the meaning of Article 141 of the Constitution. Secondly, other than the declaration of law, whatever is stated in the order are the findings recorded by the Supreme Court which would bind the parties thereto and also the court, tribunal or authority in any proceedings subsequent thereto by way of judicial discipline, the Supreme Court being the Apex Court of the country. But, this does not amount to saying that the order of the court, tribunal or authority below has stood merged in the order of the Supreme Court rejecting the special leave petition or that the order of the Supreme Court is the only order binding as res judicata in subsequent proceedings between the parties. (vi) Once leave to appeal has been granted and appellate jurisdiction of Supreme (AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai Court has been invoked the order passed in appeal would attract the doctrine of merger; the order may be of reversal, modification or merely affirmation.
In the case of S. Shanmugavel Nadar v. State of Tamil Nadu [2003] 263 ITR 658 (SC), the Apex Court held that what merges is the operative part i.e. the mandate decree issued by the court which may have been expressed in positive or negative form. The application of the doctrine depends on the nature of the appellate or revisional order, the scope of the statutory provisions conferring jurisdiction and the subject matter of challenge with the following remarks:-
"………..Though loosely an expression "merger of judgement, order or decision of a Court or forum into the judgement, order or decision of a superior forum" is often employed, as a general rule, the judgment or order having been dealt with by a superior forum and having resulted in confirmation, reversal or modification, what merges is the operative part, i.e., the mandate or decree issued by the Court which may have been expressed in positive or negative form. For example, take a case where the subordinate forum passes an order and the same, having been dealt with by a superior forum, is confirmed for reasons different from the one assigned by the subordinate forum, what would merge in the order of the superior forum is the operative part of the order and not the reasoning of the subordinate forum, otherwise there would be an apparent contradiction. However, in certain cases, the reasons for the decision can also be said to have merged in the order of the superior Court if the superior Court has, while formulating its own judgment or order, either adopted or reiterated the reasoning, or recorded an express approval of the reasoning, incorporated in the judgment or order of the subordinate forum."
Hence, in the light of above discussion, simplicitor dismissal of revenue Special Leave Petition (Civil) at admission stage before the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide SLP(C) No. 018753 / 2025, Diary No (AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai (s).33956/2025 titled ADIT (INT TAXN) 2 HYD & ANR Vs DEEPANJAN ROY, challenging the judgment of the Hon’ble Telangana High Court passed in Writ Petition No.23573 of 2024 dated 29.08.2024 has no declaration of law and binding effect under Article 141 of the Constitution of India.
The Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of TVS Credit Services Ltd. v. DCIT in WP No.22402 of 2024 & WMP No.13336 of 2023 on similar issued held as under:
Learned Single Judge in order dated 20.12.2024 in WP Nos.25223 of 2024 held that it does not matter if the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) issues the notice and it is not mandatory that it should be issued by the Faceless Assessment Officer (FAO). Another learned Single Judge in order dated 21.04.2025 in WP No.22402 of 2024 and batch cases, followed what was held by the Bombay High Court in Hexaware Technologies Ltd vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax'; and opined that it was mandatory for the FAO to issue notice and issuance of notice by JAO would make the notice invalid.
3. Learned Single Judge thereafter directed the matter to be placed before the Chief Justice for constituting a Division Bench to consider the divergent views. It is, therefore, all these matters were listed before us today.
4. We follow the law as laid down in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra), the said judgment was authored by one of us (Chief Justice), that it is mandatory for the FAO to issue the concerned notices and issuance thereof by the JAO would make the notice invalid. 5. Counsels for assessees are ad idem that the law as laid down in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) will apply. Learned Additional Solicitor-General, however, submits that the Revenue does not accept the law as laid down in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra); and that there is a special leave petition filed against the order and (AY 2018-19) Kumaresan Bhagavathiperumal Pillai judgment in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) and the same is expected to be taken up after the Supreme Court reopens.
Admittedly, learned Additional Solicitor-General, in fairness, states that there is no stay. Therefore, the law as laid down by Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) applies.
It is clarified that if the Apex Court reverses the judgment of Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra), parties will be governed by the decision of the Apex Court.
Keeping open all rights and contentions of parties, including liberty to apply to this Court, in case the Revenue succeeds before the Apex Court, for revival of these petitions, the notices issued in these petitions are quashed and set aside.
9. In these petitions, apart from the issue of notices issued by JAO instead of FAO, all or many of the issues which were considered in Hexauxare Technologies Ltd (supra) are involved.
To the extent the issues raised in Hexaware Technologies Ltd (supra) are not covered, those are kept open to be raised at the appropriate stage.
11. With the liberty as noted above, all petitions stand disposed of holding in favour of assessees. There will be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim applications also stand disposed of.
Therefore, respectfully following the decision of the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court, we set aside the impugned notice u/s.148 of the Act and consequential orders thereof. However, in the light of the Para No.8 of the judgment of the jurisdictional High Court, we also keep open of rights and contentions of parties including liberty to approach this bench, in case, the Revenue succeeds before the Apex Court for revival of this appeal.
Order pronounced on the 28th day of July, 2025, in Chennai.