RAJ KRISHAN GUPTA AND ORS vs PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX ( INVESTIGATION) -1 NEW DELHI

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgement delivered on: 09.09.2025 + W.P.(C) 11005/2024 RAJ KRISHAN GUPTA AND ORS ..... PETITIONERS versus PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX (INVESTIGATION) -1 NEW DELHI ..... RESPONDENT Advocates who appeared in this case For the Petitioners : Mr. Arvind Kumar, Advocate. For the Respondent : Mr. Sanjay Kumar, SSC, Ms. Monica Benjamin and Ms. Easha Kadian, JSCs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V. KAMESWAR RAO HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SAURABH BANERJEE JUDGMENT V. KAMESWAR RAO, J. 1. The present writ petition is filed by the petitioners seeking a declaration that the search conducted on 11.05.2024under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961(hereinafter, The Act), on the lockers of the petitioners are invalid in law and also appropriate directions for release of the jewellery/ ornaments/valuables etc. seized during the said search. 2. The petitioner Nos. 1 and 2 are husband and wife respectively. Petitioner No. 3 is the son of petitioner Nos. 1 & 2 while petitioner No.4 is Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRADEEP W.P.(C) 11005/2024 Page 1 of 18 SHARMA Signing Date:09.09.2025 17:33:45 the wife of petitioner No. 3. Petitioner Nos. 3 & 4 have a minor daughter. The petitioners have filed their ITR for AY 2023-24. 3. The facts of the case as borne out from the petition are that a search and seizure was conducted under Section 132 of the Act on 11.05.2024 on Locker Nos. 179, 163 & 175, all located at South Delhi Vaults at W-113, Greater Kailash-2 , New Delhi, of which the petitioners are the owners. Search was conducted on Locker No. 179 at South Delhi Vaults on basis of Warrant of Authorisation issued by the respondent in case of petitioner Nos. 1, 2 & 3. This was followed by search on Locker No. 163, on basis of authorisation, issued in case o