Gurupreet Sangla v. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, & Anr

O R D E R %

11.07.2023 [Physical Hearing/Hybrid Hearing (as per request)] CM Appl.34658/2023 in W.P.(C) 6061/2023

¶1Allowed, subject to just exceptions.

W.P.(C) 6061/2023 & CM APPL. 23714/2023[Application filed on behalf of the petitioner seeking interim relief] CM Appl.34627/2023 [Application filed on behalf of the petitioner seeking to place additional documents on record] W.P.(C) 6062/2023 & CM APPL. 23718/2023 [Application filed on behalf of the petitioner seeking interim relief]

¶2The above-captioned petitions came up for hearing before the Court on 10.05.2023, when the following order was passed: "2. These writ petitions concern Assessment Year (AY) 2016-17.

¶3We are informed that the above-captioned writ petitions are connected with WP(C) 6045/2023, titled Harvinder Singh

(HUF) v. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax & Anr.

¶4This writ petition, concededly, raised the same issue which is also raised in the above-captioned writ petitions.

¶5Counsel for the petitioners informs us that, as in the aforementioned case, the petitioners/assessees in the above-captioned writ petitions submitted replies dated 06.06.2022, whereby several defences were taken, both with regard to facts and the law.

¶6Inter alia, the petitioners/assessees had also indicated that if any further clarifications were required, they should be accorded personal hearing in the matter.

¶7Apparently, no personal hearing was granted by the Assessing Officer (AO), who then proceeded to pass the impugned orders dated 29.07.2022 and 30.07.2022 under Section 148A(d) of the Act.

¶8Accordingly, issue notice.

8.1 Mr Gaurav Gupta, senior standing counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents/revenue in WP(C) 6061/2023, while Mr Abhishek Maratha, senior standing counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents/revenue in WP(C) 6062/2023.

¶9Messrs Gupta and Maratha say that they will return with instructions in the matters.

9.1 In case instructions are received to resist the above-captioned writ petitions, counter-affidavit(s) will be filed before the next date of hearing.

¶10List the matters on 31.05.2023.

¶11In the meanwhile, no precipitate action will be taken against the petitioners.

¶12Parties will act based on the digitally signed copy of the order."

¶3As would be evident from the extract of the aforesaid order, the grievance of the petitioners was that no personal hearing had been granted to them.

¶4Furthermore, we had also directed that no precipitate action would be taken against the petitioner/assessee.

¶5It appears, that despite the interim order having been passed by us on

10.05.2023, the Assessing Officer (AO) not only proceeded to pass the assessment order, but also issued notice of demand.

¶6Mr Gaurav Gupta and Mr Abhishek Maratha, learned senior standing counsel, who appear on behalf of the respondents/revenue in the above-captioned writ petitions, submit that in view of the grievance raised by the petitioners, the best course of action would, perhaps, be to set aside the orders dated 29.07.2022 and 30.07.2022 passed under Section 148A(d) of the Act, and the consequent notices of even date issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [in short, "Act"].

¶7It is ordered accordingly.

¶8Resultantly, the assessment order, which was passed pursuant to the aforementioned orders and notices will collapse.

8.1 Liberty is, however, given to the AO to pass a fresh order under Section 148A(d) of the Act and take, if necessary, consequent steps, albeit, after granting personal hearing to the petitioners/assessees.

8.2 The AO will issue notice the petitioners/assessees, indicating the date and time of the hearing.

¶9The writ petitions are disposed of in the aforesaid terms.

¶10Interim order dated 10.05.2023 shall stand vacated.

¶11Consequently, pending applications shall stand closed.

¶12Parties will act based on the digitally signed copy of the order.

RAJIV SHAKDHER, J

GIRISH KATHPALIA, J

JULY 11, 2023/pmc

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of Decision: 11.07.2023 + W.P.(C) 6061/2023 GURUPREET SANGLA ..... Petitioner Through: Mr V K Sabharwal with Mr Rajesh Babu Gupta, Advs. versus PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, & ANR. ..... Respondents Through: Mr Gaurav Gupta, Sr. Standing Counsel with Mr Shivendra Singh and Mr Puneett Singhal, Standing Counsel. + W.P.(C) 6062/2023 SEEMA SANGLA ..... Petitioner Through: Mr V K Sabharwal with Mr Rajesh Babu Gupta, Advs. versus PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHI 10 & ANR. ..... Respondents Through: Mr Abhishek Maratha, Sr Standing Counsel with Mr Akshat Singh, Standing Counsel. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV SHAKDHER HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GIRISH KATHPALIA