The High Court upheld the validity of the search action u/s 132 ...

Validity of advocate's premises search upheld, seizure of client's pre-engagement docs barred. Authorities to segregate incriminating evidence judiciously.

Case Laws     Income Tax

August 9, 2024

The High Court upheld the validity of the search action u/s 132 carried out at the residential and office premises of the petitioner, an advocate. The court found the satisfaction recorded by the respondent authority for initiating the search proceedings justified and did not require interference. Regarding the seized materials in physical and digital form, the court held that the respondent authorities can consider documents found incriminating under Illustrations (b) and (c) of Section 126 of the Evidence Act. However, documents covered by Illustration (a), relating to the petitioner's clients before their employment, cannot be utilized or acted upon. The court directed the respondent authorities to exercise judicious discretion in determining incriminating documents falling under the two categories and abide by their averments. The court rejected the suggestion of appointing an independent agency, distinguishing the case from S.R. Batliboi, where the third party's documents were found during the search. The petition was disposed of, with the third parties' right to raise contentions against any action taken by the respondents remaining open.

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