Tax penalty order quashed due to delay by competent authority beyond 6-month limit from reference date.

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....The High Court held that the penalty order u/s 271D was barred by limitation as the order imposing penalty was required to be passed within six months from the end of the month in which the reference from the Assessing Officer was received by the competent authority. Since the reference was received on 18.01.2023, the penalty order should have been passed by 31.07.2023. However, the competent authority delayed the proceedings by asking for further documents after almost one year, which was beyond the permissible period. Consequently, the assessee's appeal against the penalty order was allowed by the High Court.....