Section 153C of Income Tax Act, 1961—validity of the issue of notice under Section 153C— In the instant case, the coordinate bench addressed itself on four questions. First, with regard to the maintainability of the petitions. Secondly, the question with regard to whether Section 153C of the Act as amended with effect from 01.06.2015 would be applicable to the case where search is initiated prior to that date. Thirdly, the question with regard to whether the notice u/s. 153C of the Act was barred by limitation and fourthly, the question with regard to the relevant Assessment Years contemplated u/s. 153A of the Act.

Held that—With regard to the first question, the coordinate bench took the view that the writ applications were maintainable. With regard to the second question, the Court took the view that the Legislature has specifically made the amended provisions of Section 153C of the Act applicable with prospective effect from 01.06.2015. The Court held that if such amended provisions are not made applicable to the searches carried out prior to 01.06.2015, they would affect the substantive rights of the persons who are brought within the ambit of Section 153C of the Act by virtue of such amendment. So far as the third question is concerned with regard to the limitation, the Court took the view that when the statute itself provides for an alternative period of limitation, merely because the period of limitation is provided under the first part has elapsed; it cannot be said that the notices were barred by the limitation on such ground. [NITA CHAITANYA SHAH VERSUS INCOME TAX WD 2 (1) (1)][2019] 16 ITCD Online (33) [GUJARAT HIGH COURT]