9911796707
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Issues involved:
The issue involves the quashing of an order regarding the levy of surcharge under section 113 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for a block period when the provision was not in force. Summary: 1. Background and Facts: A search was conducted on the petitioner's premises on 24th May, 2000, followed by a notice under section 158BC of the Income Tax Act on 10th Oct., 2000. The petitioner filed a return for the block period 1st April, 1990 to 24th May, 2000, declaring undisclosed income. An application was also filed before the Settlement Commission, which determined the total income and levied surcharge in accordance with the Finance Act, 2000. 2. Petitioner's Contention: The petitioner argued that section 113 of the Act, which includes provisions for surcharge, was only added with effect from 1st June, 2002, and was prospective. Therefore, the surcharge was not leviable. Reference was made to a previous court order dismissing an appeal by the Revenue, stating that surcharge was leviable only from 1st June, 2002. 3. Revenue's Submission: The Revenue contended that even though the provision in the Income Tax Act was added in 2002, an identical provision was included in the Finance Act, 2000 itself, applicable from 1st June, 2002. 4. Court's Decision: The court noted that the Finance Act, 2000 contained provisions for surcharge applicable to the financial year 2000-01, which included all entities. The court held that the liability to pay surcharge existed based on the Finance Act, 2000, despite the provision in the Income Tax Act being added later. The court also clarified that a previous court order did not consider the provisions of the Finance Act, 2000, and could not be relied upon to argue against the levy of surcharge. Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed for lack of merit.
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