Proceedings initiated by issuance of notice under s.153C were...

Proceedings initiated by issuance of notice under s.153C were held not maintainable because the assessee's own premises had been searched, making him a "searched person" and not an "other person" within the scope of s.153C; consequently, the notice and consequential proceedings were quashed. Independently, the assessment order was held time-barred since, despite bearing the last permissible date and reflecting DIN generation on that date, the order did not leave the department's control and was actually booked/dispatched after the limitation date, so it could not be treated as passed within time; accordingly, the assessment order was set aside and the writ was allowed. - HC

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