Provisional attachment to protect revenue in certain cases.
38[Provisional attachment to protect revenue in certain cases.39
281B. (1) Where, during the pendency of any proceeding for the assessment of any income or for the assessment or reassessment of any income which has escaped assessment, the 40[Assessing] Officer is of the 41opinion that for the purpose of protecting the interests of the revenue it is necessary so to do, he may, with the previous approval of the 42[42a[Principal Chief Commissioner or] Chief Commissioner, 42a[Principal Commissioner or] Commissioner, 42a[Principal Director General or] Director General or 42a[Principal Director or] Director], by order in writing, attach provisionally any property belonging to the assessee in the manner provided in the Second Schedule.
43[Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, proceedings under sub-section (5) of section 132 shall be deemed to be proceedings for the assessment of any income or for the assessment or reassessment of any income which has escaped assessment.]
(2) Every such provisional attachment shall cease to have effect after the expiry of a period of six months from the date of the order made under sub-section (1) :
Provided that the 44[45[Principal Chief Commissioner or] Chief Commissioner, 45[Principal Commissioner or] Commissioner, 45[Principal Director General or] Director General or 45[Principal Director or] Director] may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend the aforesaid period by such further period or periods as he thinks fit, so, however, that the total period of extension shall not in any case exceed two years 45a[or sixty days after the date of order of assessment or reassessment, whichever is later].]
46[***]