Section 132(1), 132(1A) and 132A(1)- Reason to believe to conduct a search, etc. not to be disclosed
Section 132(1), 132(1A) and 132A(1)- Reason to believe to conduct a search, etc. not to be disclosed– Request to bring back erstwhile provisions to reduce undue hardship to genuine assessee
Issue/Justification
The Finance Act, 2017 has inserted an Explanation to section 132(1), 132(1A) and 132A(1) to declare that the ‘reason to believe’ or ‘reason to suspect’, as the case may be, shall not be disclosed to any person or any authority or the Appellate Tribunal. The said amendment would lead to unnecessary harassment of taxpayers.
Suggestion
It is suggested that the requirement of ‘reason to believe’ or ‘reason to suspect’ may be retained in these sections to reduce undue hardship on genuine assessees. Such reasons may also be permitted to be disclosed to appellate authorities.
