Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 1946 Kant
Judgement Date : 6 March, 2026
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
WP No. 7646 of 2026
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV
WRIT PETITION NO. 7646 OF 2026 (T-IT)
BETWEEN:
1. M/S PRAATHAMIKA KRISHIPATTHINA
SAHAKARA SANGHA N,
A REGISTERED SOCIETY UNDER
THE KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE
SOCIETIES ACT, 1959
REPRESENTED HEREIN BY ITS SECRETARY
SRI MANJUNATHA
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT
BARAGI PACC BANK,
Digitally GUNDLUPET, BARAGI,
signed by
VIJAYA P CHAMARAJANAGAR - 571 111.
Location:
HIGH COURT ...PETITIONER
OF
KARNATAKA
(BY SRI. SANDEEP HUILGOL., ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE ASSESSMENT UNIT,
NATIONAL FACELESS ASSESSMENT CENTRE,
INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, 2ND FLOOR,
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM,
NEW DELHI - 110 003.
-2-
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
WP No. 7646 of 2026
HC-KAR
2. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER,
ITO WARD 1, CHAMARAJA NAGAR,
MPS COMPLEX, CAR STREET,
CHAMARAJANAGAR,
KARNATAKA - 571 313.
3. PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX,
BENGALURU - 3
C R BUILDING, NO.1, QUEENS ROAD,
BANGALORE - 560 001.
4. THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS),
NATIONAL FACELESS APPEAL CENTRE,
INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT,
ROOM NO. 245-A, NORTH BLOCK,
NEW DELHI - 110 001.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. THIRUMALESH, ADVOCATE)
***
THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH
THE IMPUGNED NOTICE DATED 02.03.2026, BEARING DIN
AND NOTICE NO. ITBA/COM/F/17/2025
26/1086742954(1), ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT
UNDER SECTION 226(3) OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT FOR
THE AY 2021-22 (ANNEXURE 'A') AND ETC..
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS
UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S SUNIL DUTT YADAV
-3-
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
WP No. 7646 of 2026
HC-KAR
ORAL ORDER
[
The petitioner has called in question the validity of
the Assessment Order dated 27.11.2025 at Annexure-D as
well as the Computation Sheet at Annexure-D1 as regards
the Assessment Year 2021-22. The petitioner has also
sought for setting aside of the notice of demand at
Annexure-D2.
2. At the outset, learned counsel for the petitioner
submits that, as against the Assessment Order at
Annexures-D and D1, an appeal was filed before the
respondent No.4-Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals).
Insofar as the said appeal, the petitioner has filed an
application for withdrawal, a copy of which is enclosed.
3. In light of the same, the contentions of the
petitioner as regards to Annexures-D and D1 are taken up
for consideration. The case of the petitioner is that during
scrutiny, the case was taken up and a notice under Section
148 of the Income Tax Act was issued on 31.03.2025.
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
HC-KAR
Subsequently, the petitioner has filed its returns of income
for the Assessment Year 2021-22 on 19.06.2025 and the
total income declared was only Rs.48,130/-.
4. Subsequently, it appears that the respondent
authorities have issued show-cause notices calling upon
the petitioner to explain as to why the proposed variation
should not be made. As regards such notices, whereby the
petitioner was called upon to explain regarding the
deposits of Rs.3,07,18,250/- failing which the same would
be construed to be unexplained income. The petitioner
admits that no reply to the show-cause notices was
submitted and the authority has proceeded to conclude
the proceedings and the Order-in-Original came to be
passed. Such order it is submitted is an ex-parte order,
insofar as the petitioner did not file response to the show-
cause notices. The authority has treated the cash deposits
of Rs.3,07,18,250/- along with the interest upon such
deposits as unexplained income and income from other
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
HC-KAR
sources, and accordingly, proceeded to complete the
adjudication.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that
due to a bona fide lapse of the auditor, there was no
participation in the assessment proceedings and infact the
deposits were eligible for deduction in terms of Section
80P of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and accordingly, the
petitioner seeks for condoning the lapse, reopening of the
proceedings and giving an opportunity to participate in the
assessment proceedings.
6. Learned counsel for the petitioner further relies
on the adjudication for the Assessment Year 2019-20,
wherein the similar explanation made as regards the
deposits was accepted and the proceedings were closed.
7. Perused the order at Annexure-D. It is clear
that the petitioner has not replied to the show-cause
notices. The submission of the petitioner is that it would
be in a position to demonstrate that the deposits to the
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
HC-KAR
tune of Rs.3,07,18,250/- as well as interest thereon was
eligible for deduction under Chapter VI-A. Under Section
80P is an aspect to be taken note of. It is also noticed that
for the Assessment Year 2019-20, the petitioner had the
benefit of such deduction.
8. Accordingly, it would meet the ends of justice
and also avoid undue financial prejudice to the petitioner
by setting aside the order at Annexure-D and D1 and
remitting the matter to the stage of reply to the show-
cause notice dated 16.09.2025.
9. Consequent to the setting aside of Annexures-D
and D1, the matter is remitted to respondent No.1 for
fresh consideration from the stage of reply to the show-
cause notice and all contentions are kept open.
The consequential demand notice at Annexures-D2, A, A1
and B are set aside.
10. The petitioner to pay a cost of Rs.5,000/-
(Rupees Five Thousand Only) to the Karnataka Advocates
NC: 2026:KHC:13856
HC-KAR
Clerks Benevolent Trust, High Court Building, Bengaluru
within a period of four weeks.
11. Accordingly, the petition is disposed of.
Sd/-
(S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE
SHS
Publish Your Article
Campus Ambassador
Media Partner
Campus Buzz
LatestLaws.com presents: Lexidem Offline Internship Program, 2026
LatestLaws.com presents 'Lexidem Online Internship, 2026', Apply Now!