2023 (8) TMI 825
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....ure-A2; demand notice at Annexure-A3 and the correspondence dated 30.06.2023 issued by respondent No.3 at Annexure-A4. Petitioner has also sought for an allied prayer which is consequential in nature to direct the 1st respondent to pass an order taking note of the procedure under Section 144C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short 'the Act'). 2. Petitioner submits that he is an eligible assessee in terms of Section 144C (15)(b)(i) and that in response to the draft order, objections were filed in terms of Section 144C (2)(b) before the Dispute Resolution Panel (fort short 'DRP'), as is evident from Annexure-H. Annexure-H is the acknowledgment for having filed objections to the draft assessment order before the DRP. It is admitted however th....
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....be set aside in light of the directions issued by the DRP at Annexure-N and the matter will have to be proceeded afresh in terms of Section 144C (13) of the Act. 5. Sri. M. Dilip, learned counsel appearing for the revenue on the other hand would point out that under Section 144C (2)(b)(ii), there is an obligation on the assessee to keep the assessing officer informed regarding filing of objections before the DRP and if such procedure is not adhered to strictly, no fault can be found as regards the assessing officer having proceeded to finalise the proceedings and passing the assessment order on the basis of draft order while construing as if no objections were filed. It is also submitted that the communication at Annexure-A4 ought not to b....
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.... objections to such variations with the Dispute Resolution Panel and the Assessing Officer. 10. Once such objections have been filed, the DRP in terms of Section 144C (5) may issue directions for guidance of the assessing officer to enable him to complete the assessment. The power of the DRP is provided for under Sections 144C (6) to 144C (10) of the Act. After the DRP exercises power vested under Section 144C as noticed above and directions are issued, the assessing officer has no discretion except to act in conformity with the directions. 11. It is not in dispute that if no directions are issued, the assessing officer need not wait under Section 144C (13). However, the fact remains that once objections are filed before the DRP and till....