In Brief
The Supreme Court allowed transfer petitions filed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India to consolidate multiple writ petitions from Kerala, Madras, and Calcutta High Courts challenging Guidelines capping the number of tax audit assignments chartered accountants can undertake annually as violating Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. The Court held that the Guidelines and resulting disciplinary proceedings raised matters of public importance affecting both the profession and citizens requiring compulsory tax audits. To authoritatively settle the law and resolve conflicting decisions among High Courts, the Supreme Court appropriately transferred the petitions for final determination while allowing interim orders to continue pending its judgment.
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