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Jurisdiction of the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner to levy penalty under section 271(1)(c) after a specified date. Analysis: The judgment pertains to three cases where the common question of law referred to the High Court under section 256(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 was whether the Appellate Tribunal was correct in canceling the penalty levied under section 271(1)(c) on the ground of jurisdiction of the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner post a certain date. The assessment years in question were 1965-66, 1966-67, and 1967-68, with penalties imposed on February 28, 1972, after completion of assessment proceedings on October 23, 1969. The crux of the matter was the applicability of section 275 of the Act concerning the limitation for imposing penalties. The Inspecting Assistant Commissioner's jurisdiction to impose penalties was challenged based on the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Act. The court examined the provisions of section 275 of the Act as it stood on the date of completion of the assessment proceedings and noted that the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner had the authority to levy penalties until October 23, 1971. However, before the expiry of this period, a new section 275 was introduced with effect from April 1, 1971, extending the time limit for imposing penalties. The court emphasized that section 275 is a procedural section, and changes in procedural laws can apply to pending actions. It clarified that there is no vested right in procedural law and that amendments to procedural laws can impact pending cases. The court referred to precedents from various High Courts, including the Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Gujarat High Courts, which supported the view that the extended period of limitation provided under the new section 275 allowed the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner to exercise his power until the extended deadline. The court also highlighted that the penalties in question were imposed within the extended time frame provided by the new section 275, which validated the jurisdiction of the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner to levy penalties until March 31, 1972. Consequently, the court answered the question referred to it in each case in the negative, ruling against the assessee and upholding the validity of the penalties imposed by the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner. Overall, the judgment clarifies the interplay between procedural laws, time limitations for imposing penalties, and the authority of the Inspecting Assistant Commissioner in levying penalties under section 271(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
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