Income Tax Search and Seizure: Irregularity versus an illegal Income Tax Search- Analysis

Firstly, as regards contention raised in affidavit, it was noted that search warrants (i.e. Form No. 45) were printed documents in which requisite blanks i.e. names and details have been filled by hand. Due to paucity of space in the column, the authority issuing the search warrant had put an, (*) mark and thereafter mentioned other names in respect of whom the search warrant had been issued. [Para 10]

Names of parties to be subjected to search have been mentioned at two separate places on the first page of search warrants Form No. 45. The first point or place refers to pre-conditions mentioned in sections 132(1)(a) and (b) and the second point or place refers to the pre-conditions stipulated in section 132(1)(c).

Second page of the form requires mentioning the address where the suspected books of account, other documents, money, bullion, jewellery, valuable articles etc. were kept, by the persons who were being subjected to search. [Para 11]

In the panchnamas relating to MDLR Estate Private Ltd., MDLR Hotels Private Ltd. and 'S' Builders Private Ltd., it was noticed that their names were not included in the names of the persons mentioned in the column relating to clauses (a) and (b) of section 132(1). However, their names were mentioned in the column relating to section 132(1)(c).

In these circumstances, suspicion of the petitioners is not affirmed. It does not impel to form and decide the contention in favour of the petitioners. [Para 12]

The contention with regard to their addresses being different, is misconceived and mere ipse dixit. Address of a company will normally mean its registered office, head office etc. A person can operate from or keep documents, money etc. at different places and not necessarily from the registered office etc. or from where business is conducted.

The address mentioned in the warrant and the panchnama need not be the registered office or the head office of company but it has to be the place where the search has to be conducted and has been conducted. The address at which search could be conducted would be the place or location, where books of account, documents, jewellery, unaccounted assets etc. could be located/found. [Para 13]

In view of above, the petitioners' contention is rejected.

Coming to the first question relating to validity of notice under section 153A, it is undisputed that section 153A is a non obstante provision which is invoked in case of a person where the search is initiated against him under section 132 or books of account or other documents or any other assets which are requisitioned under section 132A after 31-5-2003.

The section requires the Assessing Officer to issue notice under section 153A, requiring the assessee in whose case search was initiated to file return of income for six assessment years in the prescribed form and thereupon the Assessing Officer is required to assess or reassess the total income of the said six years. Pending proceedings for regular or reassessment proceedings in respect of the six assessment years abate subject to sub-section (2). [Para 16]

What is noticeable that the mandate and language of section 153A(1) does not make any reference to panchnama or the date of panchnama. It does not state that the panchnama is a pre-condition for invoking the said section.

The words used by the Legislature are 'search is initiated under section 132….' The word 'initiate' means to commence or start. The section is invoked and applicable when the search is 'initiated'. In other words, the section ticks of and comes into play when the search commences or is undertaken against a person. [Para 17]

The petitioners relied upon section 153B and submitted that the said section prescribes time limits for completing assessments under section 153A etc. Adjudication order under section 153A has to be passed within 2 years from the end of financial year in which last of the authorization for search under section 132 or 132A was executed.

Section 153B(2) states that the authorization is deemed to have been executed in case of search, on conclusion of search as recorded in the last panchnama drawn in relation to any person in whose case, warrant of authorization was executed.

Thus, the time limit for completion of the assessment is reckoned and has to be counted for 'search' under section 132 from the date as recorded in the last panchnama drawn in relation to any person. The contention is that sections 153B(1) and (2), refers to panchnama and when there is no panchnama, proceeding in respect of petitioners cannot be validly initiated under section 153A. [Para 19]

The aforesaid contention of the petitioners has to fail in the present cases for several reasons. The said contention was not raised against the first order under section 153A passed by the Assessing Officer which was made subject matter of challenge in a revision before the Commissioner under section 264.

The Commissioner has set aside the first assessment order under section 153A and has passed an order of remand for fresh adjudication. The petitioners have not questioned and challenged said orders and have accepted the same. All panchnamas are dated 31-1-2008. There are no subsequent or second set of panchnamas in the case of the search warrants against the petitioners. 31-1-2008 was the date of search as recorded in the warrants of search.

The petitioners, including petitioners whose names do not feature in the panchnamas, have not denied that they were subjected to search on 31-1-2008. It is also not repudiated or contested that several documents/papers relating to the petitioners were seized and were included in the list of the seized documents/papers attached to the panchnamas.

Thus, there cannot be any dispute or debate regarding the question of time limit or limitation period for completion of assessment under section 153A and indeed the said issue is foreclosed. In the facts of the present case, the contention should be and is rejected. [Para 21]

As per the manual prepared by the revenue relating to search and seizure operations, at the end of search or when it is temporarily concluded, a panchnama is required to be prepared or drawn. It is evidently clear that this document has considerable evidentiary value and should be prepared with care and caution.

The panchnama should be exhaustive, record of all events in the same sequence in which they have occurred and should specify details like name of person against whom warrant was issued, time of temporary conclusion of search etc. Panchmana should be prepared even in cases where nothing is found or seized in the search. [Para 22]

There is certainly lapse and failure to comply with the requirements of search and seizure manual as the panchnama did not contain names of the petitioners and does not record any suspension of search. Even the obstruction and presence of third persons were not mentioned in the panchnamas. But this would not affect the validity of the search. The Court recorded that the panchmanas in the present case to this extent are defective, but the search or initiation of search cannot be disputed. However, the respondents should take remedial steps and ensure that such lapses do not occur in future, otherwise similar allegations will get repeated, entailing litigation. [Para 23]

Panchnama is an important document because it informs the person from whose premises the articles are seized or the person searched as to the name of the person or the building etc. where the search was carried out and the officers who were authorized and had carried out the search and the articles, if any, seized.

The copy of the warrant of search is only shown to the occupant or persons against whom it is issued and their signatures obtained but no copy is furnished to them. Any search and seizure operation invades constitutionally protected and cherished right of privacy. Administrative lapse even of minor nature when there is invasion of the said right does lead to criticism and allegations.

It will be salutary and proper that a copy of the search warrant be furnished to the occupant or the person searched. This would curtail any allegation of interpolation, addition of names etc.

However, in the facts of the present case, the lapse or failure in the panchnamas does not affect the validity of the search or nullifies notice under section 153A of the Act. It certainly would not affect initiation of search which is the starting point and pre-condition for invoking section 153A. Panchnama is drawn when the search stands concluded finally or temporarily.