Mere Technical Approval under Section 153D without deep Verification by JCIT renders Assessment Void

Smt. Sarika Mittal Vs ACIT (ITAT Jabalpur)

It is not in dispute that the AO in all the cases is of the rank of the Assistant Commissioner, i.e., below the rank of the Joint Commissioner. Similarly, the year of search being f.y. 2009-10, all the assessment years under reference, i.e., AYs. 2004-05 to 2010-11, are those specified in s. 153D. The assessment order/s under reference is, thus, not valid in law inasmuch as no order of assessment or reassessment could be passed by the AO below the rank of Joint Commissioner for any of the years specified in section 153D, except with the approval of the Jt. CIT.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT JABALPUR

All the appeals of the independent assessee are directed against the respective orders of ld. C.I.T.(A). Since common issues arising for consideration in all these appeals, we heard the same together and disposing of the same by this common order.

2. Shri Dhiraj Ghai, the ld. representative for assessee submitted that the first ground taken by him is with regard to approval by the JCIT as required under section 153D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ( ‘the Act’ hereinafter). According to ld. representative for the assessee, no assessment order shall be passed unless it is approved by the JCIT. Referring to Paper Book, the ld. representative for the assessee submitted that the JCIT in categorically terms says that due to shortage of time as he was holding charges of six ranges, it was not possible for him to go into deep. Therefore, the JCIT without going to the material available on record including the draft assessment order approved only for technical requirement u/s 153D of the Act. Referring to section 153D of the Act , the ld. representative for the assessee vehemently argued that unless the JCIT applies his mind to the material available on record and the draft assessment order as proposed by AO, it cannot be construed as approval as required u/s 153D of the Act. Placing reliance on the order of the Delhi Benches of this Tribunal in Sanjay Dungal & Others vs. M/s. ACIT in ITA No. 1813/Del/2019 & Ors. (copies of which available in the P.B). Submitted that approval of JCIT is not a mere formality or ritual. It is mandatory requirement of the statutory provision.

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