Special leave granted. This appeal is directed against the
order dated March 25, 1992, ofthe High Court of Delhi in C. W. P. No. 1178 of
1992, dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellant against the order
passed by the Commissioner of Income-tax under section 273A of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 (for short, "the Act"), refusing to waive interest and
penalty on the amount voluntarily disclosed by the assessee by way of revised
return, without entering into the merits on the ground that the order was not
liable to interference in extraordinary jurisdiction,
Having heard learned counsel for both the parties, we are
of the opinion that the question whether the Commissioner of Income-tax, in the
facts and circumstances of the case, was justified in refusing to exercise his
power under section 273A of the Act was a question which was required to be
examined on the merits. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the merits
of the controversy, we set aside the order of the High Court and send the case
back for decision afresh in accordance with law on the merits, The petition
shall be restored to its original number. Parties shall be at liberty to
exchange affidavits. The appeal is decided accordingly