1973 (7) TMI 17

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....nt. The order of assessment states, among other things, that during the relevant accounting year the petitioner had constructed a building whose estimated cost came to Rs. 40,000. The respondent estimated the petitioner's professional income for the year at Rs. 25,000 ; and he estimated the balance of Rs. 15,000 to be the income from other sources. That is how the assessment was made. This petition has been filed to quash the said order of assessment on the ground that the addition of Rs. 15,000 from other sources was made without giving the petitioner an opportunity for being heard. It is necessary to notice some of the provisions of the Act in order to appreciate the rival contentions advanced by counsel of both parties. Section 142 of....

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....t, when it is made under section 144, which is a case of default. Counsel submits that the principle of natural justice, which is embodied in sub-section (3) of section 142, is confined to a case when the assessee files a return and complies with the notices issued to him ; and it is denied by the statute to a defaulting assessee. It is also contended that there is no constitutional objection to such a provision. I decline to express any opinion on the latter submission. But, on a reading of section 144, it appears to me that the contention cannot be accepted. What that section requires the Income-tax Officer to do in the case of a defaulting assessee is to make an assessment of his total income to the best of judgment, after taking into ac....