SC Upholds Taxmans Powers to Issue Summons

Giving a shot in the arm to thousands of excise officers, the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld their power to issue summons for recording evidence during investigations. The apex courts decision  comes after an assessee challenged Madhya Pradesh HC decisions in the case raising questions about excise officers powers to issue summons. The judgment was being keenly watched by tax  practitioners as the petition had challenged the basic powers of tax officers to issue summons for  recording evidence in tax evasion cases. The MP HC had upheld the authority of central excise  officers but the assessee approached the apex court. The SC after hearing arguments of both sides dismissed the petition and debarred him from raising the issue of powers to summon, in any  other proceedings.

Economic Times, New Delhi, 15-05-2012