An assessment order must bear a signature, and an unsigned order...

An assessment order must bear a signature, and an unsigned order is invalid. The High Court also recognised practical difficulties in accessing orders uploaded on the portal and held that delay in invoking writ jurisdiction can be overlooked where the assessment suffers from a patent irregularity, while balancing taxpayer hardship against revenue protection. The unsigned assessment orders were set aside and the matter was remanded for fresh assessment after hearing, subject to deposit of 20% of the disputed tax, adjustment of amounts already paid or recovered, and exclusion of the writ period for limitation.

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