Case Law Details
Space Enclave Private Limited Vs Income Tax Department and Others (Madhya Pradesh High Court)
Since the jurisdictional issue has been raised before this Court, even assuming an alternative remedy u/S 246 of the Act of filing an appeal is available, it will not operate as an absolute bar for entertaining the writ petition as jurisdictional issues goes to the root of matter and it is one of the exceptional factors carved out by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
learned counsel for the Revenue relying on the judgment of Apex Court in the case of Union of India Vs. Ashish Agrawal reported in 2022 SCC Online SC 543 contended that new law relating to assessment shall operate and that all defence u/S 149 of the new law shall be available to the assessee. Therefore, the writ petitions are not maintainable and liable to be dismissed.
Since the Assessing Officer while passing the order has given an interpretation and held against the petitioners, therefore, necessity arises for this Court to consider the correctness of such finding, which finding cannot be agitated before the Assessing Officer for re-assessment proceedings.
HC held that the alternative remedy will not operate as an absolute bar for entertaining the writ petition as jurisdictional issue goes to the root of the matter.
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