1. By consent of the parties this writ application is treated as a new application. The respondents shall file affidavit-in-opposition by May 14, 1998, reply by June 8, 1998. The matter will appear in the list on the top before the appropriate Bench on June 11, 1998. Since the vires of section 142(2A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, have been challenged in this petition, a notice together with a copy of the petitioner shall be served upon the learned Attorney-General of India by the learned Advocate on record for the writ petitioner and shall file affidavit of service at the time of hearing.
2. All parties are to act on a signed xerox copy of this dictated order on the usual undertaking.