KISHAN SINGH,FARIDABAD vs. ITO, WARD -1(4), FARIDABAD

The ld. Counsel of the assessee submitted that the assessee is a farmer by profession and owns agricultural land at village Chandawali, Ballabhgarh, Faridabad. The ld. AR further submitted that the only source of his livelihood, i.e., agricultural land has been acquired by the District Revenue Officer and the assessee received enhanced compensation amounting to Rs.50,63,672/- during AY 2012-13 out of which the assessee withdrew Rs.36,45,000/- from the period 22.09.2011 to 31.10.2011 and utilized the amount of Rs.18,45,000/- and the balance amount of Rs.18 lakh was re- deposited to the bank account on 12.11.2011. The ld. Counsel submitted that the AO has made addition u/s 68 of the Act on the re-deposited an amount of Rs.18 lakh which is totally baseless, illegal and bad in law. Therefore, the same may kindly be deleted.

Replying to the above, the ld. Sr. DR supported the orders of the authorities below.

On careful consideration of the above rival submissions, first of all, I note some factual position enumerated in the documents and written submissions of the assessee wherein it is clear that the assessee has withdrew cash of Rs.36,45,000/- in six installments during the period of 22.09.2011 to 31.10.2011 and deposited an amount of Rs.18 lakh to the same bank account on 12.11.2011. From the orders of the authorities below, I note that the AO has passed an ex parte order u/s 144 r.w.s 147 of the Act. From careful reading of the first appellate order, I further observe that the assessee, in his written submissions before the ld.CIT(A), categorically submitted that the assessee withdrew Rs.30 lakh on 26.09.2011 and the impugned amount of Rs. 18 lakh was re-deposited on 12.11.2011 out of the amounts withdrawn by the assessee. From the statement of facts and other documentary evidence available on record, it reveals that the assessee has withdrawn Rs.36,45,000/- during the period 22.09.2011 to 31.10.2011 which includes the amount of Rs.30 lakh withdrawn by the assessee on 26.09.2011. Therefore, the assessee has taken a consistent stand before the ld.CIT(A) that the amount deposited to his bank account is nothing, but, the unutilized part of the amount which was withdrawn from the bank. The ld.CIT(A), in para 5.3, noted that the assessee has filed copies of bank statements in respect of Punjab Nationall Bank, but, he dismissed the same at the threshold by alleging that the assessee failed to explain with evidence the accounted nature of cash deposit.

In view of the foregoing discussion, I reach to a logical conclusion that the assessee has successfully demonstrated that the amount of Rs.18 lakh deposited to his bank account on 12.11.2011 was his unutilized part of the amount withdrawn by him from his bank account wherein the amount of enhanced compensation was deposited. In view such a factual position, the source of cash deposit to the bank 3 account of the assessee is self-speaking and sustainable. Therefore, the orders of the authorities below are set aside and the AO is directed to delete the addition. Accordingly, the grounds of the assessee are allowed.