Prior Section 153D approval under is not a mere formality: Allahabad HC

PCIT Vs Subodh Agarwal (Allahabad High Court) The Allahabad High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department’s appeal against the decision of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in the case of PCIT Vs Subodh Agarwal. The dispute pertained to the 2015-16 assessment year, following a search and seizure operation under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Assessing Officer (AO) had passed an assessment order under Sections 153A/143(3), making several additions. However, the ITAT quashed the assessment order, citing procedural lapses, particularly in the prior approval process under S...