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Issues involved: Jurisdiction of Settlement Commission u/s 245F(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 and validity of invoking provisions of section 147/148 against the assessee for the assessment year 1995-96.
Jurisdiction of Settlement Commission: The assessee contended that the lower authorities lacked jurisdiction to pass orders as the case was before the Settlement Commission u/s 245F(2) of the Act. The Settlement Commission had exclusive jurisdiction until an order was passed under sub-section (4) of section 245D. The definition of 'case' u/s 245A includes proceedings for assessment or reassessment pending before an Income-tax authority. As no direction was issued by the Settlement Commission under sub-section (4) of section 245F, the exclusive jurisdiction rested with the Settlement Commission. The authorities erred in invoking sections 147/148 against the assessee for the assessment year 1995-96 without an express direction from the Settlement Commission. The proper remedy for the Department was to make submissions before the Settlement Commission. The appeal was allowed on the ground of jurisdiction. Validity of invoking provisions of section 147/148: The Assessing Officer initiated proceedings under section 147 to tax the amount of a loan as income that escaped assessment. The Assessing Officer's decision was based on the loan being considered as not genuine. The issue raised in the proceedings under section 147 was not involved in the matters before the Settlement Commission. The authorities erred in not considering the specific provisions of sub-section (2) of section 245F, which granted exclusive jurisdiction to the Settlement Commission. The appeal was allowed based on the jurisdictional grounds, and other issues raised were not deliberated upon. Conclusion: The Tribunal set aside the impugned order and allowed the assessee's appeal due to the lack of jurisdiction of the lower authorities in invoking sections 147/148 against the assessee while the case was pending before the Settlement Commission. The decision highlighted the importance of adhering to the jurisdictional provisions outlined in the Income-tax Act, ensuring proper procedures are followed in tax assessments.
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