Virtual hearing rights in faceless income-tax appeals protect natural justice; denial requires fresh appellate hearing and invalidates consequential penalties.

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....A requested virtual hearing in faceless income-tax appellate proceedings is integral to the opportunity to be heard under principles of natural justice. Written submissions and the memorandum of appeal cannot replace an oral or personal hearing, whether physical or virtual. Where no video-conferencing link was communicated and the requested hearing was not afforded, the appellate process resulted in failure of justice. The High Court set aside the appellate order, restored the appeal for a fresh hearing with video-conferencing facility, and quashed consequential penalty orders, subject to fresh action after disposal of the restored appeal.....