Through the present writ petition the petitioner called into question the amendment introduced through Finance Act, 2000 whereby the provision of section 129 of Income Tax Ordinance, 1979 was amended and for filing an appeal from the assessment order a precondition of deposit of 15% of tax assessed was imposed.
2. An assessm ent order for assessme nt years 1996-97 to 2000-2001 was passed in the case of the petitioner by Special Officer of Income-tax, Circle 10, Zone II, Lahore whereby a tax demand of Rs.4,21,617 as stated in the petition, was created against the petitioner. The petitioner filed an appeal before the Commissioner of Income-tax Appeal, Lahore whereby the condition of 15% tax deposit of tax assessed was pressed into service. Consequently the petitioner filed the present writ petition.
3. The Central Board of Revenue through Circular No. 3, dated 23-5-2001 clarified that the amendment introduced by Finance Act, 2000 was prospective in its operation and it did not apply to any previous assessm ent year. In view of this clarification the appeal of the petitioner for the assessm ent years 1996-97 to 2000-2001 did not fall within mischief of the amendment. In any case this Court vide interim order, dated 7-5-2001 passed in the instant writ petition on 25-5-2001 instructed the Commissioner of Income-tax Appeal to entertain the appeal of the petitioner and dispose of the same according to law without insisting upon the pre-condition of deposit of 15% tax demand.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner informed that the appeal was entertained and decided by the Commissioner of Appeal.
In view of the statement of the learned counsel, the grievances of the petitioner stand redressed, accordingly the writ petition is disposed of having borne fruit. .