ITAT ruled in favor of the assessee, quashing the penalty order...

ITAT ruled in favor of the assessee, quashing the penalty order under Section 271B for procedural irregularities. The tribunal found that the penalty notice was issued beyond prescribed time limitations per Section 275, and the Assessing Officer failed to substantiate specific accounting defects. The order lacked precise charges of default and was time-barred. Consequently, the tribunal directed the AO to delete the imposed penalty, emphasizing procedural fairness and strict adherence to statutory timelines in penalty proceedings.