Delhi HC Sets Aside an Order Under IT Act Issued Before Deadline for SCN Reply
The Delhi High Court invalidated the assessment order passed under the Income Tax Act, 1961 citing it was issued before the deadline for filing a reply to the show cause notice (SCN) had passed. The petitioner, Wonder Bricks, argued that the assessment order was flawed because it was issued prior to the designated date, despite the show cause notice allowing sufficient time for a response by May 5, 2023, at 15:49 hours. Sanjeev Menon, representing the respondent/revenue, stated that he had not received a copy of the case papers. The Court granted a period for the respondent to provide instructions. It was emphasized that if instructions were received opposing the writ petition, a counter-affidavit would be submitted. However, no counter-affidavit was filed, leaving the petitioner's claims unchallenged. A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice Girish Kathpalia noted that the assessment order was clearly passed before the deadline for filing a reply to the show...