142. Inquiry before assessment.

(1) For the purpose of making an assessment under this Act, the [1][Assessing] Officer may serve on any person who has made a return [2][under Section 115WD or Section 139 or in whose case the time allowed under sub-section (1) of Section 139] for furnishing the return has expired a notice requiring him, on a date to be therein specified,

[3][(i) where such person has not made a return [4][within the time allowed under sub-section (1) of Section 139] [5][or before the end of the relevant assessment year], to furnish a return of his income or the income of any other person in respect of which he is assessable under this Act, in the prescribed form and verified in the prescribed manner and setting forth such other particulars as may be prescribed, or]

[6][Provided that where any notice has been served under this sub-section for the purposes of this clause after the end of the relevant assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 1990 to a person who has not made a return within the time allowed under sub-section (1) of Section 139 or before the end of the relevant assessment year, any such notice issued to him shall be deemed to have been served in accordance with the provisions of this sub-section.]

[7][Provided further that a notice under this sub-section for the purposes of this clause may also be served by the prescribed[8] income-tax authority,]

[9][(ii)] to produce, or cause to be produced, such accounts or documents as the [10][Assessing] Officer may require, or