Notice under Section 148 issued after assessee's death is invalid; reopening must follow legal heirs' notice rules

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....The ITAT held that the reopening of assessment under Section 148 issued after the assessee's death was invalid. The notice dated 31.03.2016 was served on the deceased, who passed away on 02.10.2015, rendering service impossible and the proceedings void ab initio. Under Section 159(2)(b), proceedings can be initiated against legal heirs if the assessee is deceased; however, the AO failed to issue the notice to the legal heirs before the limitation expired on 31.03.2016. Consequently, the reopening did not comply with the mandatory conditions under Section 148, and the assessment proceedings were quashed for non-compliance with statutory requirements and breach of natural justice. The appeal was allowed, affirming that a notice issued to a deceased person is invalid and cannot sustain reassessment proceedings.....