HC order restraining IT dept from taking action against Khaitan set aside

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a Delhi High Court order restraining the Income Tax department from taking any action against VVIP chopper scam accused Gautam Khaitan, against whom a separate black money case has been lodged.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, directed the high court, which had said the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act could not be allowed to operate with retrospective effect from July 2015, to decide the matter afresh.

The apex court order came on an appeal filed by the Centre against the May 16 order of the high court.

During arguments before the top court, the Centre had referred to provisions of the law and had said the offence alleged against Khaitan was a continuing one.

The high court, in its interim order, had stayed the Centre’s notification to make operational the 2015 Act with effect from July 1, 2015.

Khaitan is one of the accused in the ₹3,600-crore Agusta Westland VVIP chopper scam. he had moved the high court, challenging the legality of various provisions of the Act.