(1.) Instant writ petition challenges the vires of Section 234 (F) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
(2.) Section 234 (F) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, reads as under:-
(3.) The above said Section is sought to be challenged on the ground that it is a penalty guised as a fee and secondly, there is no service provided for by the authorities and therefore, fee is not leviable for the simple reason that for levy of fee, there should be an element of quid pro quo. Petitioner, relies on a judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in KUNNATHAT THATEHUNNI MOOPIL NAIR, ETC., Vs. STATE OF KERALA AND ANOTHER {(1961) 3 SCR - 77}, more particularly, paragraph 8, and the same reads as under:-