Interest under Section 234B became infructuous after nil-income assessment, leaving no substantial question of law.

Interest under Section 234B lost practical significance after the assessee was assessed at nil income in proceedings under Section 254 read with Section 143(3), so no substantial question of law survived for adjudication. The levy issue was therefore treated as infructuous, and the appeal failed.

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Issues: Whether the question regarding levy of interest under Section 234B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 survived for adjudication after the assessee was assessed at nil income.

Analysis: The assessee was subsequently assessed at nil income in proceedings under Section 254 read with Section 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. In that background, the controversy relating to levy of interest under Section 234B ceased to have practical significance and no substantial question of law remained for consideration.

Conclusion: The issue was held to be infructuous and the appeal failed.

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