As benches of the ITAT exercise jurisdiction over more than one state, Explanation to Standing Order No. 1 of 1954 and Standing Order No. 1 of 1967 issued under the Rules prescribe that, the jurisdiction of the ITAT should be based on the location of the Assessing Officer. The same principle should apply for determining the jurisdiction of the High Court for an appeal against the decision of the ITAT. Page 14 of 28. It would be appropriate for the ITAT to refer a question of law to the High Court within whose jurisdiction the Assessing Officer or the CIT which has decided the case is located, as these authorities would be bound to follow the decision of the concerned High Court. This interpretation will also be in consonance with the expression “in relation with any State, the High Court of that State” provided in the definition of the “High Court” in Section 66(8) (under the present 1961 Act, it is Section 269). The appeals and references cannot be made to a High Court only on the basis that a bench of the ITAT is located within the jurisdiction of the said High Court, as it will create an anomalous situation for that as well as other High Courts. In view of the doctrine of precedents and the rule of binding efficacy of law laid down by a High Court within its territorial jurisdiction, a question of law arising for decision in a reference should be determined by the High Court which exercises territorial jurisdiction over the situs of the Assessing Officer (Suresh Desai). Hence, held, it is well settled. Appellate jurisdiction of High Court under S. 260-A is exercisable by a High Court within whose territorial jurisdiction the assessing officer is located.
[CIT v. ABC Papers Ltd., (2022) 9 SCC 1]