HC set-asides faceless assessment order passed without granting hearing opportunity

Cisco Systems Services B.V. – India Branch Vs DCIT (ITAT Bangalore) In the present case, the Ld.AO passed the draft assessment order u/s. 143(3) r.w.s. 144C (13) of the Act on 23.03.2016 which is accompanied with demand notice issued u/s. 156 of the Act dated 23.03.2016. It is also noticed that in the draft assessment order, the Ld. AO recorded the statement as follows:- ‘Demand notice issued accordingly. Penalty proceedings u/s. 271(1)(c) are initiated separately for the additions made.– Being so, it is observed that the draft assessment order passed by the Ld.AO is without foll...