2012 (5) TMI 598 - AT - Income Tax

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Validity of jurisdiction of reassessment proceedings u/s 147/148.
2. Validity of transfer of jurisdiction u/s 127.
3. Merits of additions challenged.

Summary:

1. Validity of Jurisdiction of Reassessment Proceedings u/s 147/148:
The appeals challenge the reassessment proceedings initiated by ACIT, Noida u/s 147/148. The primary contention is that the assessee was already assessed by ITO Ward-32(2), New Delhi, and ACIT Noida had no jurisdiction to issue notices u/s 147/148 before the transfer of jurisdiction dated 9-3-2004. The Tribunal held that the notices issued by ACIT Noida on 27-3-2003 and 31-3-2003 were invalid as they were issued before the lawful transfer of jurisdiction. It was observed that the statutory opportunity of hearing prescribed by Sec. 127(2) was not given while transferring the assessee's jurisdiction from Delhi to Noida. Consequently, the notices issued without lawful authority were deemed ab initio void, and all subsequent proceedings were also bad in law.

2. Validity of Transfer of Jurisdiction u/s 127:
The Tribunal examined the transfer order u/s 127(2) dated 9-3-2004 and found it invalid due to the lack of opportunity of hearing given to the assessee. The Tribunal emphasized that statutory requirements are mandatory, and any transfer order passed without complying with the requirement of giving an opportunity of being heard is invalid. The Tribunal cited the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's judgment in the case of Melco India Pvt. Ltd. & others, which mandates the necessity of an opportunity of hearing before transferring jurisdiction. Therefore, the transfer order u/s 127 dated 9-3-2004 was quashed.

3. Merits of Additions Challenged:
Since the Tribunal held that the notices u/s 148, consequential reassessments, and transfer order u/s 127(2) were bad in law, there was no need to decide the merits of the additions. The appeals filed by the assessees were allowed, quashing the 148 notices, reassessments, and the 127(2) order.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal allowed all the appeals filed by the assessees, quashing the 148 notices, reassessments, and the 127(2) order, emphasizing the mandatory nature of statutory requirements and the necessity of lawful jurisdiction in reassessment proceedings.