Allowing the petition, the Court held that the notice issued under section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 has no signature of the Assessing Officer affixed on it, digitally or manually, was invalid, and would not vest the Assessing Officer with any further jurisdiction to proceed with the reassessment under section 147. Consequently, the Assessing Officer could not assume jurisdiction to proceed with the reassessment proceedings. The notice having been sought to be issued after three years from the end of the relevant assessment year 2015-16 any steps taken by the Assessing Officer the notice issued under section 148A(b) and the order passed under section 148A(d) were without jurisdiction and therefore, arbitrary and contrary to article 14 of the Constitution of India and consequently set aside. (AY. 2015-16)
Prakash Krishnavtar Bhardwaj v. ITO (2023) 451 ITR 27 / 331 CTR 64 / 150 taxmann.com 60 / 293 Taxman 132 (Bom)(HC)
S. 148A : Reassessment-Conducting inquiry, providing opportunity before issue of notice – After three years from the end of relevant assessment year – Service of notice without the signature of Assessing Officer digitally or manually-Notice invalid – Order and notice was quashed and set aside. [S. 147, 148, 148A(b), 148A(d), Art. 14, 226]