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2016 (9) TMI 706 - GUJARAT HIGH COURTReopening of assessment - provision for bad debts undisclosed - Held that:- The petitioner was asked to furnish details regarding the claim of bad debt written off. It is also found from the record that the same has been cogently explained and replied and therefore, while completing the scrutiny assessment, this issue has been gone into by the Assessing Officer and the perusal of record further indicates that while assessment order came to be passed, the accountant of the petitioner did attend the hearing. The case was discussed at length and submitted by the detailed information as called for from time to time and therefore, considering this material which is available on record, it appears to this Court that the issue pertaining to provision for bad and doubtful debt has been gone into and only thereafter this scrutiny assessment came to be passed. To arrive at such conclusion, we have also gone through the stand taken by the respondent-revenue authority. We have taken note of the contents stated by the deponent on behalf of the revenue contained in additional affidavit submitted before the Court. It was categorically stated by the deponent on additional affidavit that on account of workload and pressure of various files getting time barred asessement of various assessees and on account of corporate assessees being under jurisdiction of that Assessing Officer he had categorically deposed that he could not incorporate the details of bad debts written off furnished by the petitioner assessee. This would clearly indicate that the details have already disclosed before the Assessing Officer and while framing the assesment, the Assessing Officer has considered the same. It is only because of pressure of work he could not incorporate the details in an order under Section 143(3) of the Act and therefore, considering this overall view of the matter we are of the opinion that if the records speak like this it would not be permissible for respondent-authority to reopen the assessment otherwise the same would be based on change of opinion There is no tangible material available to justify the reopening more particularly when the issue has been gone into in detail during the course of regular scrutiny assessment, it is hardly justify for the revenue to reopen the issue which has relied upon, examined and even if it is within a period of four years. The ratio laid down by the aforesaid decision referred to above would clearly clinch the issue and therefore, the action of revenue in reopening the assessment is not justified as it would tantamount to be on the basis of mere change of opinion which is not permissible as the conditions which has been retained under Section 147 is also not satisfied. Thus we are of the opinion that the action on part of the respondent authority is not in consonance with proposition of law laid down and the background of facts would not warrant the Court to allow and precipitate further on account of main action on part of the respondent authority. Hence, the impugned notice dated 16.12.2009 and letter dated 06.08.2010 are hereby quashed and set aside. Rule is made absolute. - Decided in favour of assessee.
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