83[Disclosure
of information respecting assessees.
84138. 85[(1)(a) The
Board or any other income-tax authority specified by it by a general or special
order in this behalf may furnish or cause to be furnished to—
(i) any officer, authority or body performing any
functions under any law relating to the imposition of any tax, duty or cess, or
to dealings in 86foreign exchange
as defined in section 2(d) of the Foreign Exchange
Regulation Act, 1947 (7 of 1947)87
; or
(ii) such officer, authority or body performing
functions under any other law as the Central Government may, if in its opinion
it is necessary so to do in the public interest, specify by notification88 in the Official Gazette in this behalf,
any such
information 89[received or
obtained by any income-tax authority in the performance of his functions under
this Act], as may, in the opinion of the Board or other income-tax authority,
be necessary for the purpose of enabling the officer, authority or body to
perform his or its functions under that law.
(b) Where
a person makes an application to the 90[Chief
Commissioner or Commissioner] in the prescribed form91 for any information relating to any
assessee 92[received or obtained
by any income-tax authority in the performance of his functions under this
Act], the 93[Chief Commissioner or
Commissioner] may, if he is satisfied that it is in the public interest so to
do, furnish or cause to be furnished the information asked for 94[***] and his decision in this behalf
shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court of law.]
(2)
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or any other law for the
time being in force, the Central Government may, having regard to the practices
and usages customary or any other relevant factors, by order notified95 in the Official Gazette, direct that no
information or document shall be furnished or produced by a public servant in
respect of such matters relating to such class of assessees or except to such
authorities as may be specified in the order.]
