Income tax notices under sections 142, 144, 144B, and 147 upheld despite shortened response time

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....The HC upheld the validity of notices issued under sections 142, 144, 144B, and 147 of the Income-tax Act, rejecting the petitioner's challenge based on alleged violation of natural justice. The court held that the Standard Operating Procedure prescribing seven days' response time constitutes mere administrative guidelines, not binding statutory requirements. Following Supreme Court precedent, the court applied the "prejudice test," determining that technical breach of natural justice does not vitiate an order unless actual prejudice is demonstrated. Despite receiving only four days instead of seven to respond to the show cause notice, the petitioner failed to establish any material prejudice, having received all statutory notices and obtained multiple adjournments but failing to submit responses. The reassessment proceedings were deemed valid.....