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Issues involved: Challenge to transfer of assessment cases under s. 127 of the I.T. Act, 1961 from one ITO to another.
Details of the judgment: 1. Transfer of assessment cases: The petitioners challenged the transfer of their assessment cases from ITO, 'A' Ward, Katni, to ITO, Special Investigation Circle-II, Jabalpur, under s. 127 of the I.T. Act, 1961. The Commissioner ordered the transfer for detailed and co-ordinated assessment, considering the need for thorough scrutiny. The petitioners objected citing travel expenses, seniority of the current ITO, and lack of valid grounds for transfer. The Commissioner directed the new ITO to handle the cases at Katni to minimize inconvenience. The petitioners claimed they appeared before the Commissioner for a hearing, but this was disputed. The Court found no merit in the claim of lack of personal hearing, as written objections were duly considered. The petitioners were not prejudiced by the absence of a personal hearing, as their objections were taken into account. 2. Expenditure and inconvenience: The objection regarding travel expenses was addressed by directing the new ITO to conduct hearings at Katni whenever possible. The petitioners were assured they would not need to travel to Jabalpur for the assessment. The Court emphasized that the petitioners cannot insist on a specific officer for their cases solely based on seniority. The Commissioner has the discretion to assign cases as deemed appropriate. The decision to transfer the cases to the Special Investigation Circle-II, Jabalpur, was justified due to the complexity of transactions involving multiple parties and the need for detailed investigation. 3. Precedents and Justification: The Court referred to a similar case where the transfer of a case for co-ordinated investigation was upheld. In the present case, searches revealed income concealment and connections with other groups, justifying the transfer for a thorough assessment. A previous ruling was distinguished where the transfer lacked sufficient reason, unlike the current situation where the need for detailed investigation was evident. Therefore, the petitions challenging the transfer were dismissed, and no costs were awarded. This judgment highlights the Commissioner's authority to transfer assessment cases under s. 127 for detailed scrutiny and investigation, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment process.
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