s.292BB can validate service in limited cases but cannot replace mandatory issuance of notice under s.143(2)

HC held that s.292BB is a rule of evidence and a deeming provision that can validate service in certain circumstances but does not negate the jurisdictional necessity of issuing a notice under s.143(2). Relying on the SC precedent that jurisdiction of the AO rests on issuance of the s.143(2) notice, the court found the notice was not issued here, the assessing authority lacked jurisdiction, and the income-tax appeal was dismissed.

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Issues:
1. Consideration of provisions of section 292BB of the Income-tax Act while allowing the assessee to raise an additional ground of appeal.
2. Applicability of the judgment in Hotel Blue Moon case and the relevance of section 292BB in the present case.
3. Whether the assessee raised the issue of non-issuance of notice under section 143(2) during assessment proceedings.

Analysis:
1. The first issue revolves around the consideration of section 292BB of the Income-tax Act when allowing the assessee to raise an additional ground of appeal. The Revenue contended that the provisions of section 292BB were not taken into account by the Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) and the Tribunal. However, the Court found that the non-consideration of section 292BB would not impact the reasoning and conclusions in the judgment. Section 292BB is a rule of evidence that validates the notice under certain circumstances when the assessee has cooperated in the assessment or reassessment proceedings. The Tribunal confirmed that the notice under section 143(2) was not issued in the present case, leading to the assessing authority lacking jurisdiction to proceed with the assessment.

2. The second issue involves the applicability of the judgment in Hotel Blue Moon case and the relevance of section 292BB in the present scenario. The Supreme Court in the Hotel Blue Moon case emphasized the mandatory issuance of notice under section 143(2) for jurisdiction in block assessments. Section 292BB, inserted by the Finance Act, 2008, deems the notice served if the assessee participated in the proceedings. The Court clarified that the absence of consideration of section 292BB does not affect the judgment in Hotel Blue Moon case, as the foundation of the Assessing Officer's jurisdiction lies in the issuance of notice under section 143(2).

3. The third issue questions whether the assessee raised the issue of non-issuance of notice under section 143(2) during the assessment proceedings. The Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) allowed the assessee to raise this issue despite participating in the assessment proceedings. The Tribunal confirmed the absence of the notice, leading to the assessing authority lacking jurisdiction. The Court upheld the Tribunal's findings, emphasizing the mandatory nature of the notice under section 143(2) for jurisdiction. Consequently, the income-tax appeal was dismissed based on these grounds.

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