BHUSHAN LAL PANDITA,DELHI vs. ASSESSMENT UNIT - INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, DELHI

This appeal is filed by the assessee against the order of the Ld.Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)/ NFAC, Delhi vide order dated 30.03.2021 for the A.Y. 2015-16.

The Ld. Counsel for the assessee at the outset submitted that proceedings initiated under notice dated 31.03.2021 u/s.148 of the Act for the A.Y.2015-16 are time barred as per section 149(1)(a) of the Act. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee referring to the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme court in the case of Union of India and Others Vs. Rajeev Bansal 469 ITR 46, submitted that as a matter of fact the revenue conceded that for the A.Y. 2015-16 all notices issued on after 01.04.2021 will have to be dropped as they will not fall for completion during the period prescribed under Taxation and other laws (Realizations and Amendment of Certain provision) Act 2010.

The Ld. Counsel for the assessee, therefore, stated that the notice dated 31.03.2021 which was validated by virtue of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Union of India and others Vs. Ashish Agarwal cannot survive since the TOLA provision do not apply for the A.Y.2015-16. We find force in the submissions of the Ld. Counsel for the assessee. Since, the revenue has conceded that for the A.Y.2015-16, all notices issued on or after 01.04.2021 will have to be dropped the notice issued in the present case notice dated 31.03.2021 which was issued after 01.04.2021 and was validated by the virtue of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Ashish Agarwal, the proceedings fall for completion. Thus, we hold that the notice dated 31.03.2021 issued u/s.148 of the Act and is barred by limitation and consequently the assessment made pursuant to such notices is void ab initio and the same is quashed.