Marina Ship Brokers. v. ITO (2019) 417 ITR 453/ 183 DTR 190/ 311 CTR 518 / (2020) 274 Taxmann 241 (Mad) (HC)

S. 143(3) : Assessment – Matter remanded by the Tribunal with the direction to grant an opportunity of cross examination- Not giving an opportunity of cross examination – Writ against the order is not maintainable – Issue could be raised in appellate Proceedings . [ S. 35(1) (ii), 246A(1)(a), 250(4) , 254(1) Art .226 ]

Dismissing the petition the Court held that ,  It is only where statutory remedies are entirely ill-suited to meet the demands of extraordinary situations, as for instance where the very vires of the statute are in question or where private or public wrongs are so inextricably mixed up and the prevention of public injury and the vindication of public justice require it that recourse may be had to article 226 of the Constitution. But then the court must have good and sufficient reason to bypass the alternative remedy provided by statute. Matters involving the revenue where statutory remedies are involved are not such matters. A perusal of sub-section (4) of section 250 , of the Income-tax Act, 1961 makes it clear that the statutory appellate authority namely the Commissioner (Appeals) has powers to make further inquiry by himself or direct the Assessing Officer to make further inquiry, report the result and thereafter dispose of the statutory appeal on the basis of such inquiry conducted by himself or on the basis of post inquiry report from the Assessing Officer in this regard. Accordingly not giving an opportunity of cross examination, writ against the order is not maintainable. ( AY. 2013 -14)