COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Vs. RAM LAL VOHRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench " A ", has referred the following question for our opinion:

(2.) THE reference relates to the years 1967-68 and 1968-69. THE assessment for both these years was completed, but subsequently was reopened under Section 148 of the Act. For the years 1967-68, it was completed on December 11, 1970, and for the year 1968-69, also 6n the same date. THE final income determined after the reassessment was Rs. 11,390 for the assessment year 1967-68 and Rs. 16,423 for the assessment year 1968-69. Penalty proceedings were initiated by the ITO for both those years on December 11, 1970, and the matter was referred to the IAC under Section 274(2) of the Act as the minimum penalty imposable was more than Rs. 1,000. THE IAC imposed a penalty of Rs. 6,500 for the year 1967-68 and Rs. 16,000 for the year 1968-69. THE order for both these years was passed on March 17, 1973. On appeal, it was urged that as the assessment orders were passed on December 11, 1970, the penalty could be imposed only within a period of two years from the completion of the assessment in view of Section 275(2) of the Act as it stood before its amendment on April 1, 1971. THE Tribunal rejected the contention that the penalty proceedings were time barred, on the view that as the limitation for passing the penalty order had been extended by an amending Act with effect from April 1, 1971, i.e., before the limitation under the unamended Section 275 had run out, the orders were within limitation. It, however, accepted the alternative contention raised on behalf of the assessee that with the amendment of Section 274(2) of the Act, it was the ITO who had jurisdiction to pass a penalty order, and not the IAC. As the reference is at the instance of the Additional Commissioner, the question as to whether the penalty order was passed within limitation is academic, for, the question has been answered in favour of the department. It is settled that, on a reference, the court is not obliged to answer academic questions of law referred to it by the Tribunal.