In Brief
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India sought to transfer multiple writ petitions pending in different High Courts challenging the validity of ICAI's guidelines limiting chartered accountants to 60 tax audit assignments per financial year as violating Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court allowed the transfer petitions, holding that the guidelines and related disciplinary proceedings constitute a matter of public importance affecting tax professionals and citizens. The Court found it necessary to transfer the petitions to authoritatively settle the law and eliminate conflicting High Court decisions. Interim orders protecting the writ petitioners were directed to continue until the Court's final decision.
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