19. Deepak Maratha (S/o Ramchandra Maratha) v. UOI:
2026 (6) TMI 371 – (Raj):
A. Y. 2017-18: Date of order 27/05/2026
Ss. 115BBE and 271AAC of ITA 1961
S. 115BBE — Scope of amendment — Enhancement of rate of tax from 30% to 60% — Prospective or retrospective operation of taxing statutes — Absence of express retrospective language — Onerous fiscal amendment — Applicable prospectively from 01/04/2017 and not from F. Y. 2016-17.
The Assessee was engaged in the business of jewellery and bullion. During F. Y. 2016-17, the assessee deposited a sum of Rs. 66.17 lakhs (including Specified Bank Notes) in his bank account during November – December 2016, i.e., the demonetisation period. The assessee filed his return of income on 30/10/2017 declaring a total income at Rs. 7,92,860.
Subsequently, the assessee’s case was selected for scrutiny, and the assessment was completed vide an order dated 21/12/2019 passed u/s. 144 of the Act. The books of account of the assessee were rejected u/s. 145(3) of the Act, and it was held that the assessee could not explain the