Return of impounded tax records was ordered after assessment completion, with revenue allowed to keep photocopies for future use.

Continued retention of impounded books of account and related documents seized under section 131(3) of the Income-tax Act was held unjustified where the assessment had already been completed and repeated requests for release had gone unanswered, especially in the absence of any counter-affidavit. The documents were directed to be returned to the assessee, while the revenue was permitted to retain photostat copies if needed for future use.

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Issues: Whether the impounded books of account and other documents seized under section 131(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, were liable to be returned to the assessee.

Analysis: The material averments that the books and documents had been seized long back, that the assessment had already been completed, and that repeated applications for their release had remained unanswered were accepted in the absence of any counter-affidavit. In these circumstances, the continued retention of the documents was not justified. The Court also permitted the revenue to retain photostat copies, if required for future use.

Conclusion: The impounded books of account and other documents were directed to be returned to the assessee, with liberty to the revenue to keep photostat copies if necessary.

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