Search Assessments Quashed: ITAT Rules Section 153D Approval Invalid for Mechanical ‘Rubber Stamp’ Use

AFI Agro Private Limited Vs DCIT (ITAT Chandigarh) No Mind, No Approval! 153D Rubber Stamp Kills Search Assessments- Approval Must Think, Not Copy-Paste – Assessments Quashed Assessee is engaged in manufacturing of cattle feed & had filed its returns u/s 139(1) for AY 2017-18 & 2018-19 & u/s 139(4) for AY 2019-20. A search u/s 132 was conducted on 25.04.2018, followed by notice u/s 153A. Assessee filed returns reiterating the original income. AO framed assessments u/s 153A r.w.s 143(3) on 08.09.2021. CIT(A) partly allowed the appeals. Both Assessee & Revenue filed cross appea...