Whether a Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) can initiate...

Whether a Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) can initiate proceedings under Sections 148A and 148 after implementation of the Faceless Scheme: relying on precedent that post- Faceless Scheme initiation and issuance of notices by the JAO is ultra vires and per se illegal, the court held such notices and consequential assessments unsustainable; therefore the impugned notices under Sections 148A/148 and all orders flowing therefrom are quashed. Relief is granted on jurisdictional grounds, while liberty is reserved to the revenue to pursue further action as indicated by the court. - HC