Marimuthu v. The Income Tax Officer / Assessing Officer, Ward

W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.08.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025andW.M.P.(MD) Nos.16417 & 16420 of 2025 Marimuthu ... Petitioner Vs The Income Tax Officer / Assessing Officer, Ward 1,Theni,Income Tax Office at 74-74A,White House Street,NRT Nagar,Theni,Tamil Nadu - 625 531. ... Respondent PRAYER:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for records pertaining to the proceedings of the respondent passed in Assessment Ordervide No.ITBA/AST/S/147/2024-2025/1074519028(1) issued to the petitioner under Section 147 read with Section 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the assessment year 2016-17 in PAN - dated on 15.03.2025 and to 1/6 W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 quash the same and consequently, direct the respondent to afford a chance to the petitioner to given clear explanation to the show cause notice and condone the delay to file the income tax returns for the assessment year 2016-17. For petitioner: Mr. V.S.Ariharasudhan For respondent: Mr.N.Dilip KumarSenior Standing Counsel***** ORDER This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Senior Standing Counsel for the respondent. 2. This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner against the impugned Assessment Order in No.ITBA/AST/S/147/2024-2025/1074519028(1), dated 15.03.2025 under Section 147 r/w 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. The petitioner appears to have transacted a sale of immovable property for a sum of Rs.60,96,465/-, though in the preamble to the sale deed, the value has been shown as Rs.16,50,000/- and coming to know about the same, the petitioner was issued with the notices. However, the petitioner sought time 2/6 W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 repeatedly and ultimately, on the verge of limitation prescribed in passing Assessment Order under Section 153 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the respondent has proceeded to pass the Assessment Order, failing which the assessment proceedings would have lapsed. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was unaware of the notices issued to the petitioner. However, the aforesaid submission of the petitioner appears to be incorrect in as much as the petitioner had indeed participated in the proceedings which preceded the impugned order, the details of which captured in the impugned order read as under: W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 5. Thus, it cannot be said that the petitioner was denied an opportunity of being heard. Therefore, this Writ Petition has to fail, as no fault can be attributed on the respondent in passing the impugned Assessment Order. The petitioner has to work out the remedy, if any, before the Appellate Commissioner under Section 246A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which is wide enough to look into the issue on merits. 6. Considering the same, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a liberty to file an appeal under Section 246A r/w 249 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to formally condone the delay petition within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In case such an appeal is filed together with the formally condone delay application, the Appellate Authority shall number the appeal and dispose of the same on merits without further reference to the limitation. 4/6 W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 7. Needless to state, in case the petitioner desires any interim protection, the petitioner may move a suitable application before the respondent under Section 220(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 8. This Writ Petition stands disposed of, with the above liberty. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 4/6 W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 7. Needless to state, in case the petitioner desires any interim protection, the petitioner may move a suitable application before the respondent under Section 220(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 8. This Writ Petition stands disposed of, with the above liberty. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Index : Yes / No05.08.2025Internet : Yes / NoapdToThe Income Tax Officer / Assessing Officer, Ward 1,Theni,Income Tax Office at 74-74A,White House Street,NRT Nagar,Theni,Tamil Nadu - 625 531. 5/6 6/6 W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 C.SARAVANAN, J. apd W.P.(MD) No. 21261 of 2025 05.08.2025