Procedure.
274. (1) No order imposing a penalty under this Chapter shall be made unless the assessee has been heard, or has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
[(2) No order imposing a penalty under this Chapter shall be made-
(a) by the Income-tax Officer, where the penalty exceeds ten thousand rupees;
(b) by the Assistant Commissioner [or Deputy Commissioner], where the penalty exceeds twenty thousand rupees,
except with the prior approval of the [Joint] Commissioner.]
[(3) An income-tax authority on making an order under this Chapter imposing a penalty, unless he is himself the Assessing Officer, shall forthwith send a copy of such order to the Assessing Officer.] |