SAMANTHAPUDI LAVANYA,VIJAYAWADA vs. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CENTRAL CIRCLE,, VIJAYAWADA

PerBench :

These appeals are filed by the assessee against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)]-3, Visakhapatnam in 4 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal common order dated 31.05.2018 for the Assessment Year (A.Ys.) 2009-10

to 2011-12. Facts of the case are identical in all the appeals, hence all the appeals are clubbed, heard together and disposed off in a common order

for the sake of convenience. The facts of the case are extracted from I.T.A.

No.725/Viz/2019 and the same are applicable in all the appeals except the change in amounts.

petitions stating that the assessees have received the appeal orders from the Ld.CIT(A) on 31.05.2018 and the appeals ought to have been filed on or before 30.07.2018, but the appeals were filed on 31.12.2019 resulting in delay of 492 days. The assessees have filed the petition for condonation of delay along with the affidavits. In their petition for condonation the assessees have stated that the income tax related matters were looked after

by Shri A.Murali Mohana Raju, Accountant and he has collected all the necessary papers for filing the appeal from the Advocate and got it signed

by the assessees and fell sick for 10 days and later on forgot the issue

completely and the assessees were under the bonafide impression that the appeals were filed. The assessees have realized the fact of non-filing of 5 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal appeals, only when the department has pressed for payment of the demand. On realizing the mistake the assessees have taken immediate

steps for filing the appeals and accordingly appeals were filed with the delay of 492 days and hence, requested to condone the delay. During the appeal hearing, ld.AR submitted that there was no malafide intention and it was the bonafide belief of the assessee that the appeals were filed by the Ld.Accountant. The Ld.A.R relied on the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme of Income tax in civil appeal No.6671 – 6676 of 2010, dated 7thNovember

2019, wherein Hon’ble Supreme Court had condoned the delay of 1754

days on similar conditions.

could not be filed which caused the delay. The department has not placed

any material to show that the submissions made by the assessees are wrong or malafide. The assessees are not going to get any benefit by delaying the appeal and it is not the case of deliberate attempt or the intention of the assessee to file the appeal belatedly. Hon’ble High Court of 6 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Hyderabad, in ITTA No.20 of 2020 dated 13/08/2020 relied upon by the Ld.A.R condoned the delay of 154 days and held that while condoning the delay, the court should be liberal and show utmost consideration to the suitor if the explanation does not smack of malafide or it is not put forth as part of dilatory strategy. The Hon’ble Supreme Court on similar facts of having no knowledge of passing the order, in the case of Senior Bhosale

Estate (HUF) (supra) condoned the delay of 1754 days. We extract the relevant part of the order of Hon’ble Apex court in Senior Bhosale Estate

(HUF) [2019] 112 taxmann.com 134 (SC) which reads as under:

7 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal In the instant case the assessee was under the bonafide impression of having filed the appeal by the Ld.Accountant, but came to know the fact of not having filed the appeal when there was pressure from the department

for payment of demand. Therefore, following the orders of the Hon’ble

Supreme Court, the Hon’ble High Court of Telangana (supra) and the principles laid by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Collector, Land

Acquisition v. Mst. Katiji [1987] 167 ITR 471 (SC), we find it justifiable to condone the delay and admit the appeal of the assessee in the interest of justice. Accordingly the appeals are admitted.

A.Y.2009-10 A.Y.2010-11 A.Y.2011-12 Name of the Returned Date of filing Returned Returned Date of Appellant income income (DOF : Income Filing 30.03.2012) K.Subba Raju 8,97,340 31.03.2010 4,22,325 14,52,780 K.Lakshmii 4,93,600 1,84,310 5,65,960 Sirisha 31.03.2012 S.Raja 9,33,271 4,03,190 12,11,580 Ramesh K.Lakshmi 7,02,539 60,850 5,47,900 Uma K.Prasad 9,96,109 09.12.2010 2,80,230 13,39,360 30.03.2012 K.Bhaskara 8,82,490 31.03.2010 3,90,710 10,63,700 31.03.2012 Raju

8 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal K.Siva Rama 9,55,230 4,32,490 11,72,850 Raju S.Lavanya 5,56,410 2,07,790 6,36,620 K.Krishna 6,17,860 2,30,710 7,10,260 Kumari

Name of the appellant AY.2009-10 K.Subba Raju 1,42,270 K.Lakshmii Sirisha 80,260 S.Raja Ramesh 2,02,490 K.Lakshmi Uma 1,49,400 K.Prasad 2,39,992 K.Bhaskara Raju 5,84,880 K.Siva Rama Raju 2,69,050 S.Lavanya 1,09,620 K.Krishna Kumari 1,30,450

owners’)have entered into development agreement dated 01.12.2007 with M/s Navya Constructions and Developers ( builders/builder) in respect of their land admeasuring 10,345 sq.yards located at Nathayyapalem,

Visakhapatnam with sharing ratio of 35% to the land owners and 65% to 9 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal the builders. As per the development agreement, the assesses/land owners

are entitled for constructed area of 81,890 sft. in the form of 62 flats in lieu

of surrender of 6,828.228sq.yards of land given to the developers. The assesses i.e. Mr. K.Subba Raju and 8 others family members have admitted

the aggregate sale consideration of Rs.6.99 crores for capital gains

purposes as per their respective share holding in the land for the financial

years 2008-09 to 2010-11 relevant to the A.Ys.2009-10 to 2011-12 as under :

Financial Year Asst.Year Consideration admitted for all 62 flats (Rs.) 2008-09 2009-10 1,27,04,500 2009-10 2010-11 1,63,44,500 2010-11 2011-12 4,09,04,000 Total 6,99,53,000

(in short ‘Act’) were conducted in the case of ‘Navya Constructions Group’

(in short ‘Navya group’/builders) on 17.12.2013 and the group is engaged

in the business of constructions and development of house properties in and around the Visakhapatnam District, since, the year 2005. During the course search proceedings a statement was recorded on oath from Shri

10 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal M.VijayaKumar, Managing Director of Navya Constructions u/s 132(4) on 10.04.2014, wherein, he had stated that the firm (builders) had sold 48

flats of land owners share and received the amount of Rs.12,42,15,000/-

and out of which a sum of Rs.4,31,27,426/- was retained by the firm and the balance amount of Rs.8,10,87,574/- was paid to the land owners. The Deputy Director of Income Tax(Inv){in short DDIT} during the search

proceedings recorded the statement from Shri K.Subba Raju also on 11.04.2014, wherein he has confirmed that the builder had sold 48 flats

and the remaining 14 flats were sold by them directly, however has not confirmed the actual amount received from the Builders. During the course

of search proceedings, it was stated that the builder had submitted the Joint

Receipt dated 21.12.2012 written on Rs.100/- stamp paper to the DDIT(Inv.), as per which Sri K.Subba Raju and others have confirmed the receipt of Rs.8,10,87,574/- from the Navya Group. The DDIT(Inv)has estimated the concealment of income of Rs. 2.65,06,574/- in the hands Shri

K.Subba Raju and eight other family members for transfer of land to Navya Constructions for development purposes in the appraisal report. On the basis of the appraisal report received from the DDIT(Inv),the Assessing

Officer (AO) has reopened the assessments and issued the notice u/s 148

11 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal of the Act on 30.03.2016 to the land owners i.e Shri KanumuriSubba Raju

and 8 others calling for the return of income for the A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-

issued u/s 148 of the Act.

by the land owners, the AO estimated the sale consideration of Rs.9,64,59,574/- as under :

Sale consideration received in respect of 48 Rs.8,10,87,574 flats from the Builders Less : Sale consideration offered in returns of Rs.6,99,53,000 income by land owners Difference of sale consideration not offered for Rs.1,11,34,574 taxation(8,10,87,574-6,99,53,000) Add :Estimated Sale consideration of 14 flats Rs.1,53,72,000 sold by land owners directly Total sale consideration not offered by the land Rs.2,65,06,574 owners

Amount paid by the builder for 48 flats Rs.8,10,87,574/-

Sale consideration estimated for 14 flats Rs.1,53,72,000/- Total Rs.9,64,59,574/-

12 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal

Accordingly the AO made the addition of Rs.2,65,06,374/- as undisclosed sale consideration in the hands of the assessee and 8 other

family members for the A.Ys 2009-10 to 2011-12 and completed the reassessments u/s 147 r.w.s.143(3) making the addition as per the details

given below:

Name of the assessee Assessment Concealment years Of income.Rs. K.Subba Raju 2009-10,2010- 36,23,449 11 and 2011-12 K.Lakshmii Sirisha 36,23,449 2009-10,2010- 11 and 2011-12 S.Raja Ramesh 2009-10,2010- 36,23,449 11 and 2011-12 K.Lakshmi Uma 2009-10,2010- 36,23,449 11 and 2011-12 K.Prasad 2009-10,2010- 31,35,728 11 and 2011-12 K.Bhaskara Raju 2009-10,2010- 24,01,495 11 and 2011-12 K.Siva Rama Raju 2009-10,2010- 19,16,425 11 and 2011-12 S.Lavanya 2009-10,2010- 24,01,495 11 and 2011-12 K.Krishna Kumari 2009-10,2010- 21,57,635 11 and 2011-12

13 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal grounds. The Ld.CIT(A),with regard to assessee’s objection of completion of assessment without communicating the reasons held that the AO has shown the reasons recorded to the Ld. AR of the assessee during the assessment proceedings and hence viewed that there was no lapse on the part of the AO in communicating the reasons to the assessee and accordingly dismissed the appeal of the assessee and held the reassessment made u/s 147r.w.s. 143(3) is valid.

recorded u/s 132(4) and also the statement of Shri K.Subba Raju on 11.04.2014 and came to conclusion that sum of Rs.8,10,87,574/- was received for 47 for flats. The Ld.CIT(A)also viewed that the Joint receipt

dated 21/12/2012 was submitted to the DDIT (Inv.) by the builders

during the course of post search enquiries but not seized during the search.

The Ld.CIT(A) viewed that the evidences collected during the post search

enquiries does not disentitle the AO to forgo the powers vested u/s 147

and 148 and thus held that the AO rightly invoked the juri iction u/s 147

for reopening the assessment and the case does not fall under the scope of 14 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal 153C of the Act and hence dismissed the appeal of the assessee on validity

of initiation of proceedings u/s 147 instead of 153C of the Act.

the addition of Rs.1,11,34,574/- (i.e. the difference between sale

consideration stated to be paid at Rs.8,10,87,574/- and the sum of Rs.6,99,53,000/-) admitted in the returns of income by the assessee and 8

others for the A.Ys2009-10to 2011-12. The Ld.CIT(A) sustained the addition.

without communicating the reasons. The assessee in ground No.2 and 3

challenged the validity of reassessments made u/s 147 r.w.s. 143(3)

without communicating the reasons. In the instant case, the AO had issued

the notice u/s 148 calling for the return of income and the assessee has filed a letter dated 23.09.2016 to treat the return already filed as return in response to the notice u/s 148. Subsequently the assessee has requested

for supply the reasons recorded for reopening the assessment, vide letter

dated 21.10.2016. The AO did not furnish the reasons recoded for reopening the assessment as requested by the assessee, however shown

the reasons recorded to Shri Rama Chandra Murthy, CA and the Ld.A.R of the assessee during the course of assessment proceedings.

the assessments u/s 143(3) r.w.s.147, without furnishing reasons recorded

by the assessing officer to the assessee , hence, the same is bad in law. The 16 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal Ld.ARfurther submitted that theLd.CIT(A) has rejected the contention of the assessee on the ground that the assessing officer had shown the reasons to the Authorized Representative of the assessee during the assessment proceedings and the assessee was provided with a copy of the reasons during the appellate proceedings therefore viewed that the AO had complied with legal requirement of supplying the reasons. The Ld. A.R

further argued that mere showing the reason to the A.R of the assessee

during the assessment proceedings is not sufficient compliance and the A.O

must supply the reasons recorded to the assessee, once the assessee asks

the reasons specifically. The Ld.AR further submitted that the failure to supply the reasons recorded, before the conclusion of the assessment

proceedings vitiates the reassessment proceedings and the defect cannot

be cured at a later stage. The Ld.AR placed reliance on the decision of Hon’ble Supreme court in GKN Drive Shafts(India) Ltd. Vs. ITO [259 ITR 19]

(Order dt.20.12.2017 in ITA Nos.294, 295 & 576/Viz/2014). TheLd.A.R

further submitted that the assessing officer has raised objection before the Ld.CIT(A) in the remand report stating that the assessee had requested

reasons in only one case for the one assessment year and hence, viewed

17 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal the AO is not obliged to furnish the reasons in all cases. In this regard the Ld.AR submitted that the assessee i.e. Shri K.Subba Raju had agreed to bear

the tax liability on behalf of all the co-owners and the AO has completed the assessments in all cases on the basis of the statement recorded from Shri

K.Subba Raju therefore argued there is no justification to take such stand

by the AO.

the course of assessment proceedings. Therefore, argued that there is no merit in the argument of the Ld.AR that the assessment was completed

without communicating the reasons. Since, the AO has communicated the reasons to the assessee, the legal requirement of supplying the reasons was complied with by the AO and hence argued that the Ld.CIT(A) has rightly

upheld the validity of the assessment. Therefore, the Ld.DR requested to uphold the order of the Ld.CIT(A) and no interference is called for in the order of the Ld.CIT(A) and dismiss the appeals of the assessee.

18 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal shown the reasons recorded to the authorized representative of the assessee during the course of assessment proceedings. The other objection

of the AO was that the assessee had requested for reasons only in one case

i.e. ShriK.Subba Raju and not other cases and hence viewed that the AO is not obliged in supplying reasons in other cases. There is no dispute that the AO has completed the assessment of all cases on the basis of the statement

recorded from Mr. K. Subba Raju and on his assurance that he will take care

of the tax matters and bear the taxes of all the family members. There is also no dispute that Mr.Subba Raju has requested for reason recorded for reopening of assessment. When the AO had completed the assessment of the assessee as well as eight others consisting of 25 assessments for 3

different years on the statement taken from Shri K.Subba Raju and on his

assurance of taking care of all the income tax issues of himself and his

family members, we do not find any justification in the argument of the Ld.AO not to supply the reasons in other cases on the request made by Shri

Subba Raju. It is pertinent to note that the AO has not furnished the reasons

even in the case of Mr. K.Subba Raju. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the considered view that the AO is bound to communicate the reasons in all 25 cases on the request made by 19 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal Shri K.Subba Raju and thus, the objection of the AO with regard to non-

receipt of request in other cases does not stand on its legs and hence, the same is liable to be rejected.

in writing. Communication of reasons for reopening of assessment is not a mere formality and it is a legal requirement. When the assessee has requested for reasons, it is mandatory obligation of the AO to communicate

the reasons as decided by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of GKN Drive

Shafts(India) Ltd. Vs. ITO [259 ITR 19]. Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case

cited held that on filing the return, the assessee has the right to request for the reasons and the AO is obliged to furnish the reasons recorded to the assessee. On furnishing the reasons, the assessee has right to place the objections for reopening the assessment and the AO is bound to pass

speaking order on the objections raised by the assessee. Thus

communication of reasons to the assessee has specific purpose to address

the issues of reopening the assessment u/s 147. Therefore, once the assessee asks for the reasons specifically, the AO is duty bound to communicate the reasons and non-furnishing the reasons renders the I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal

assessment made u/s 147 r.w.s 143(3) as invalid. This issue was considered by this Tribunal in the case of Sri Sarvaraya Sugars Ltd (Order

dt.20.12.2017 in ITA Nos.294, 295 & 576/Viz/2014). The coordinate bench

of ITAT held as under .

“9. The AO has completed the assessment without communicating the reasons recorded for issue of notice u/s 148, in spite of the specific request made by the assessee for furnishing the reasons. As per the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s GKN Drive Shafts (India) Ltd. Vs. ITO, it is obligatory on the part of AO to communicate the reasons on furnishing the return of income. The assessee in response to the notice issued u/s 148 submitted a letter to the AO to treat the returns filed earlier as returns in response to the notice issued u/s 148. Thus the assessee has complied with the mandate of Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement cited supra but the AO failed to communicate the reasons. The assessee relied on the decision of Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta in the case of Berger Paints India Ltd. Vs. ACIT (Supra), wherein Hon’ble High Court held that the assumption of juri iction of assessing officer u/s 147 depends upon existence of reasons followed by communication thereof to theassessee. If the notice served under section 148 is challenged, the AO cannot proceed with the assessment under section 147 unless reasons are communicated. In the instant case, the contention of the assessee is that the assessee has complied with the notice u/s 148 and the AO has not furnished the reasons recorded for issuance of notice u/s 148 despite the request made by the assessee. The Revenue could not place any evidence to controvert the argument of the Ld.AR that the reasons were not communicated. Thus the assessee’s case is squarely covered by the decisions in the case of Berger Paints India Ltd. Vs. ACIT (Supra) and CIT vs. Trend Electronics (Supra).

“8. We find that the impugned order merely applies the decision of the Apex Court in GKN Driveshafts (India) Ltd. (supra). Further it also follows the decision of this Court in Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (supra) in holding that an order passed in reassessment proceedings are bad in law in the absence of reasons recorded for issuing a reopening notice under Section 148 of the Act being furnished to the assessee when sought for. It is axiomatic that power to reopen a completed assessment under the Act is an exceptional power and whenever

21 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal revenue seeks to exercise such power, they must strictly comply with the prerequisite conditions viz. reopening of reasons to believe that income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment which would warrant the reopening of an assessment. “

Tax-III vs Shri N.Surya Prakasha Rao in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

Appeal No.156 of 2014 dated 06/03/2014 relied upon by the Ld.A.R and upheld the order of Tribunal and dismissed the appeal of the revenue. The department did not place any other judgments to controvert the decisions

relied upon by the assessee. Similar issue was considered by Hon’ble is fatal to the assessment and the Hon’ble Supreme court dismissed the SLP

filed by the Revenue in [2019] 103 taxmann.com 202 (SC). For the sake of 22 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal clarity we reproduce the relevant part of the order of Hon’ble High court

which reads as under:

23 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal order, could be procedural aspect of the matter, but the recording of the reasons before the initiation of the reassessment proceedings and communication thereof to the assessee is sine qua non, as held by Hon'ble Supreme Court and that goes to the root of the matter and confers or deprives the assessing authority of the juri iction to undertake such reassessment proceedings, as the case may be.

In view of the foregoing discussion, we hold that completion of assessment u/s 143(3) r.w.s 147 of the Act, without communicating the reasons recorded to the assessee, when specifically requested is unsustainable and liable to be quashed.

is right making the assessments u/s 147 instead of invoking the juri iction u/s 153C of the Act.

having found the document during the course of search, the AO ought to have made the assessment u/s 153C but not u/s 147 of the act. The Ld.AR

taking our attention to the order of the Ld.CIT(A) submitted that in para

No.12(f) of the order, the Ld.CIT(A) has given a finding that the AO had 24 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal relied on the statement of Shri M.Vijay Kumar, the Managing Director of Navya Group recorded u/s 132(4) and the Joint receipt that was stated to be given by the builders during the post search enquiries and hence,

viewed that reassessments made u/s 147 of the act are valid. The Ld.AR

submitted that according to the Ld.CIT(A), the assessment was reopened

basing on the information already available on record and not on the basis

of information collected by the department during the course of search,

thus, held that the reassessment made u/sec. 147 is valid. In this regard the Ld.AR has taken our attention to the para No.6 in page no.5 of the assessment order which reads as under :

“6. In order to verify these facts, sworn statement of Sri KanumuriSubba Raju was also recorded on 11.04.2014 during the search proceedings, wherein he has confirmed that the builder has sold 48 flats on behalf of the landlords and the remaining 14 flats were sold by them on their own. However, he has not confirmed the amount received from the builders and stated that the relevant information will be submitted soon. However, the landlords have not submitted the information. During the course of search proceedings, the builder has submitted the copy of ‘Joint Receipt’ dated 21.12.2012 written on stamp paper as per which Sri K.Subba Raju and others have confirmed that they had received an amount of Rs.8,10,87,574/- from M/ s Navya Constructions and Developers.”

The AR also invited our attention to Question No.7 in page No.4 of the assessment order, wherein Shri M. Vijaya Kumar had stated that they have paid the sum Rs.8,10,87,574/- as total sale consideration for sale of 48 flats

in the statement given u/s 132(4) of the Act. The Ld.AR asserted that as per

25 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal the assessment order, joint receipt was seized during the course of search.

The Ld.A.R argued that except the statement recorded u/s 132(4), and the joint receipt that was seized during the course of search no other material

is available with the department to believe that either the assessee had under stated the receipts or concealed the income. Thus submitted that, the basis for reopening the assessment was the Joint Receipt that was seized

by the department during the course of search and the statement recorded

u/s 132(4), hence, argued that the AO ought to have taken action u/s 153C,

but not u/s 147 of the Act. The Ld AR further argued that search

assessments required to be made u/s 153A or 153C as per the scheme, but not under section u/s 147 of the act. Therefore argued that the assessment

made u/s 147 r.w.s. 143(3) is invalid and required to be quashed and the assessee’s appeals to be allowed. The Ld.AR relied on the decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr.CIT (Central)-3 Vs. Anand Kumar

Jain in ITA No.23/2021 dated 12/02/2021 and the decision of this Tribunal

in the case of G.Koteswara Rao & others in I.T.A. No.400/Viz/2014 dated

26 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal search enquiries to the DDIT but not seized during the search, therefore,

argued that the same should not be considered as the incriminating

material for invoking the juri iction u/s 153C. Similarly,th Ld.DR argued

the statement recorded u/s 132(4) was recorded during post search

enquiries, hence does not fall under the scope of section 153C, hence,

submitted that AO had rightly invoked the juri iction 147 of the Act and no interference is called for in the order of the Ld.CIT(A).

and the statement recorded u/s 132(4) on 10.04.2014 from Sri M.Vijaya

Kumar, Managing Director of Navya Constructions who was under the search. Though the Ld.CIT(A) stated in his order that the information was already available in the records of the department and joint receipt was supplied by the searched person during post search enquiries, the information available in the assessment order and the remand report

shows apparently contradictory facts. The Ld.AR taken our attention to the 27 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal assessment order para-No.6, wherein, the AO had mentioned that during

the course of search proceedings, the builder had submitted the copy of Joint Receipt dated 21.12.2012 which was seized. Further, the Ld.A.R has taken our attention to the page No.21 of the paper book, wherein the Assistant CIT, Central Circle-I, Vijayawada(AO) stated in the remand

report that the Joint Receipt dated 21.12.2012 was seized during the course

of search and the same was pertaining to the assessee’s business

transactions. The Ld.AR also taken our attention to page No.23 of the paper

book, which is the forwarding letter of Addl.Commissioner of Income Tax,

Central Range, Guntur dated 15.03.2018 to the Ld.CIT(A) who endorsed the report of the AO. As discussed earlier, the entire additions were also based

on the statement recorded u/s 132(4) from Shri M. Vjay Kumar, joint

receipt, the ledger account copies of the builder and the appraisal report of the DDIT (Inv.). Both the assessment order and the remand report clearly

show that the joint receipt was found and seized during the course of search. The department failed to controvert that the said joint receipt was not seized during the course of search and thus, we hold that the joint

receipt was the document found and seized during the course of search,

28 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal evidencing the payments stated to have been made by the builder to the assessee , which is the foundation for reopening the assessments.

in section 139, 147, 148, 149, 151 and 153, where the AO is satisfied that any money, bullion, jewellery, valuable article or thing seized or requisitioned belongs to or the books of accounts or documents seized or pertains or pertain to or any other information contained therein relates to a person other than the person referred to in section 153A (searched

person), then the AO of the searched person handover the books of accounts, documents or valuable articles or things or documents or the assets to the officer having juri iction over such other person and the AO

of such other person shall proceed against each such other person and issue notice and assess or reassess the income as per section 153C of the act. As provided in section 153C once the conditions are satisfied for invoking the juri iction u/s 153C and the assessment must be made u/s 153C only, but not under section 147 of the Act.

of statement recorded u/s 132(4) from the searched person by DDIT (Inv)

whether to be assessed u/s 153C or u/s 143(3) r.w.s. 147 was considered

29 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal by this Tribunal in the case of G.Koteswara Rao and others (supra). This tribunal has taken a view that consequent to the information collected by the DDIT during the search u/s 132 or from the statement recorded from the searched person, the assessments to be made u/s 153C, but not u/s 147

of the act. This Tribunal has considered the decision of special bench in the case of Alcargo Logistics Ltd. and others in 137 ITD 287 (Mumbai). For the sake of clarity and convenience, we extract para No.14 of the order of this Tribunal in the cited case law which reads as under :

“14. In the present case on hand, admittedly, the Assessing Officer has reopened the assessment based on a search conducted in a third party case. The AO formed the opinion based on the statement recorded from the assessee, consequent to post search proceedings taken up by the DDIT(Inv), which shows undisclosed income which is the very basis of reopening the assessment. The search is conducted on 22-8-2008 which comes under the assessment year 2009-10. The Assessing Officer reopened the assessment year 2008-09, which is falling within those six assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year in which search is conducted. The assessee case falls within the provisions of section 153C, as the incriminating document seized in the case of search in another case. The Assessing Officer, on satisfying the above condition is under obligation to issue notice to the person requiring him to furnish the return for the six assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year in which search is took place. Thereafter, the Assessing Officer has to assess or reassess the total income of those six assessment years. The word “shall” used in section 153A made it clear that the Assessing Officer has no option, but to issue notice and proceed thereafter to assess or reassess the total income. In the instant case, the Assessing Officer issued notice u/s 148 to reopen the assessment. Therefore, in view of the non-abstante clause begin with section 153A, the Assessing Officer has no juri iction to issue notice u/s 148 reopen the assessment of those six assessment year which falls within the exclusive juri iction of section 153A. Though, both provisions of the Act empowers the Assessing Officer to assess or reassess the income escaped from assessment, both sections are dealing with different situations. Section 147 comes into operation when, the Assessing Officer believes that there is an escapement of income chargeable to tax, either from the return already filed or through some

30 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal external material evidence came to his knowledge, which shows the escapement of income. Whereas, section 153A comes into operation when there is search u/s 132 or books of accounts, or any other asset or other documents requisitioned u/s 132A. If Assessing Officer justified in proceeding with section 147 to reopen the assessment, then there would be no relevance to section 153A, which was inserted in to the Act to deal exclusively with search cases. The legislators in their wi om clearly spelt out the provisions of law applicable to search cases by using the word shall to begin with section 153A, made it mandatory that the Assessing Officer bound to issue notice u/s 153A or 153C, thereafter proceed to assess or reassess the total income, where search is conducted u/s 132 or requisition is made u/s 132A. Therefore, in our opinion, the AO is not justified in reopening the assessment u/s 147 and his order is legal and arbitrary.”

appraisal report and the joint receipt.All of them are directly related to the information found from the searched person consequent to the search u/s 132. Therefore, as provided u/s 153A and 153C, all the search assessments

required to be made u/s 153A or 153C, but not u/s 147 of the Act. No fresh

information was collected by the AO or no information has come to the notice of the AO in normal course other than the information collected

during the course of search from the searched person. Thus, the assessee’s

case is squarely covered by the decision of this Tribunal in G.Koteswara

Rao (supra). The department has not brought any other evidence to 31 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal establish that the joint receipt was not seized during the search/s 132. The department also has not brought any other case laws to controvert the decision cited (supra).

32 I.T.A. No.704 to 727/Viz/2019 & I.T.A.No.73 to 75/Viz/2020, A.Y.2009-10 to 2011-12 Kanumuri Subba Raju and others, Bapulapadu Mandal

आदेशकीप्रतितितिअग्रेतषि/Copy of the order forwarded to:- 1. तिर्धाररिी/ TheAssessees– 2.रधजस्व/The Revenue –

आदेशधिुसधर / BY ORDER //// Sr. Private Secretary ITAT, Visakhapatnam