Assessment time cannot be extended if it already becomes time barred: SC

Supreme Court, in State of Punjab Vs. M/s. Shreyans Indus Ltd., has held that power of the Sales Tax Commissioner to extend the time to pass an order on assessment is to be exercised before the normal period of assessment expires.Three Judge Bench of the Apex Court comprising of Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur, Justices A.K.Sikri and R. Banumati dismissed the appeals by Revenue challenging a judgement of Punjab and Haryana High Court. In this case, when the last dates of assessment were 30th April, 2004, 30th April, 2005, 30th April, 2006 and 30th April, 2007, order extending the time under...