Search and Seizure Case Income Tax Act 1961
ind something the presence of which is suspected etc. Seize means to take possession of goods, contrary to the wishes of the owner or to take forcible possession. From income tax point of view, in common parlance search is referred to as ‘RAID’. However, there is no such term as raid anywhere in income tax law.Search and Seizure is a very powerful tool available to Income Tax Department (ITD) to unearth any concealed income or valuables and to check the tendencies of tax evasion thereby mitigating the generation of black money. Search operations are exploratory exercises on the basis of information with the Income Tax Department to find hidden income and wealth in cases of tax payers, who have not disclosed their true financial state of affairs in discharge of their tax obligations. Seizure implies taking possession of assets, which have not been disclosed to the Income-tax Department and of accounts/documents, papers which contain details of unaccounted wealth/income not disclosed to the income tax authorities. The Income Tax Department resorts to search and seizure only in cases where there is sufficient reason to believe that the person concerned would not disclose the true picture of his income in the normal course of filing of return and regular assessment. Search & seizure-from income tax perspective Search operations are exploratory exercises on the basis of information with the income tax department to find hidden income and wealth in cases of tax payers, who have not disclosed their true financial state of affairs in discharge of their tax obligations. Seizure implies taking possession of assets, which have not been disclosed to the Income-tax Department and of accounts/documents, papers which contain details of unaccounted wealth/income not disclosed to the income tax authorities. Thus, search and seizure is a very powerful weapon in the armory of income tax department to unearth any concealed income or valuables and to check the tendencies of tax evasion thereby mitigating the generation of black money. Who can authorize (i.e., issue search warrants) proceedings u/s 132 Sec.132 empowers the Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Director or Director or the Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner to authorize proceedings under this section. Who can conduct search? Income tax authority, having power to initiate search u/s 132, can authorize its subordinate(s) (not below the rank of Income tax officer) to conduct search. Following subordinates can be authorized Authorized Officer who can conduct search Authorized from Additional Director or Additional Commissioner or Joint Director, Joint Commissioner, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Income tax officer Principal Director General or Director General or Principal Director or Director or Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Income tax officer Additional Director or Additional Commissioner or Joint Director or Joint Commissioner (on the basis of authorization from above authority and being empowered by the Board) Power of authorized officer While conducting search, authorized officer has following powers – 1. Enter and search any building, etc.: Enter and search any building, place, vessel, vehicle or aircraft where he has reason to suspect that such books of account, other documents, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing are kept. 2. Break open the lock of any door, etc.: Break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle, where the keys thereof are not available. 3. Search person: Search any person who – has got out of; or is about to get into; or is in, the building, place, vessel, vehicle or aircraft if the authorised officer has reason to suspect that such person has secreted about his person any books of account, other documents, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing. 4. Require any person to facilitate the authorised officer: Require any person who is found to be in possession or control of any books of account or other documents maintained in the form of electronic record, to afford the authorised officer the necessary facility to inspect such books of account or other documents. 5. Seizure: Seize any such books of account, other documents, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing found as a result of such search. 6. Place marks of identification: Place marks of identification on any books of account or other documents or make extracts or copies therefrom. 7. Make inventory: Make a note or an inventory of any such money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing. 8. Examine on oath: Examine on oath any person who is found to be in possession or control of any books of account, documents, money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing. Any statement made by such person during such examination may thereafter be used as evidence in any proceeding. The examination of any person may be not merely in respect of any books of account, other documents or assets found as a result of the search, but also in respect of all matters relevant for the purposes of any investigation connected with any proceeding under Act. Time limit for release of asset Asset or any portion thereof shall be released within a period of 120 days from the date on which the last of the authorisations for search u/s 132 or for requisition u/s 132A, as the case may be, was executed. Interest payable to the assessee Where the aggregate amount of money (either seized or realized through sale of assets) seized exceeds the aggregate of the amount required to meet the liabilities, Government shall pay simple interest at the rate of ½% p.m. The interest shall be payable from the date immediately following the expiry of the period of 120 days (from the date on which the last of the authorisations for search u/s 132 or requisition u/s 132A was executed) to the date of completion of the assessment u/s 153A. Discharge of excess money After discharging
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