Sterlite Power Transmission Limited v. Assistant Commissioner Of Income Tax Circle 5

909-WP-17377-2024.DOC Digitally signed by KAWRE KIRAN KALYAN Date:

2024.12.07 17:48:24 +0530 KAWRE KIRAN KALYAN Komal S. Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 17377 OF 2024 Sterlite Power Transmission Limited

...Petitioner

Vs.

Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Circle-5 & Ors.

...Respondents

_________ Mr. Percy Pardiwala, Senior Advocate a/w Jasmin i/b Mint & Confreres for the Petitioner.

Mr. Vikas T. Khanchandani for the Respondents. __________ CORAM :

G. S. KULKARNI & ADVAIT M. SETHNA, JJ.

DATE :

02 DECEMBER 2024.

P.C.

1.

Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.

2.

This Petition impugns a notice dated 22 August 2024 issued under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, by Respondent No.1, who is the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer.

3.

Mr. Percy Pardiwala, the learned Senior Counsel for the Petitioner submitted that the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer would not have jurisdiction to issue the impugned notice, considering the principle of law as laid down by this Court in Hexaware Technologies Limited v/s. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax & Others1.

4.

Mr. Vikas T. Khanchandani, the learned Counsel for the Respondents would not dispute such contention as urged on behalf of the Petitioner. He, however, submitted that the view taken by this Court in M/s. J. D. Printer 1 (2024) 464 ITR 430 02 November 2024

909-WP-17377-2024.DOC Pvt. Ltd., v/s. Income Tax Officer - 15(10(2) & Ors.2 be followed in the present proceedings.

5.

We have heard the learned Counsel for the parties and perused the record.

6.

There are other issues which are raised on behalf of the petitioner in assailing the impugned notices / orders apart from the primary issue as raised on the test of the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. (supra). Considering the view which the Court has taken in M/s. J. D. Printer (supra), we need to follow such orders, which would also govern the present proceedings. Hence, for the reasons as recorded in the orders passed by this Court in M/s. J. D. Printer (supra) and in regard to our observations on the proceedings involving the decision in Hexaware Technologies Ltd. (supra), we pass the following order:-

O R D E R

(a) Rule. Respondents waive service.

(b) Pending the hearing and final disposal of this Petition, there shall be interim orders in terms of prayer clause (c). (c) Liberty to the parties to apply after appropriate orders are passed by the Supreme Court and/or final decision of the Supreme Court in Hexaware.

(ADVAIT M. SETHNA, J.) (G. S. KULKARNI, J.) 2 Writ Petition No.12187 of 2024 02 November 2024