An AO must pass the final assessment order in conformity with...

An AO must pass the final assessment order in conformity with the DRP's directions under section 144C(13); any departure, even if said to be due to mistake or misunderstanding, is impermissible. Applying binding High Court precedent, the Tribunal quashed the non-compliant final assessment order because the AO repeated the draft order and ignored the relief granted by the DRP. The transfer pricing and consequential grounds were left open as academic.