SHRI SHIV FOUNDATION,PUNE vs. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (EXEMPTION), PUNE, PUNE

Shri Shiv Foundation, vs CIT (Exemption), Pune. C/o Shri Milind J. Rajore, 505, Arora Towers, Camp Pune, Pune-411 001. PAN: AANTS 3376 E Appellant Respondent Assessee by : Shri Kishor Phadkhe, CA Revenue by : Shri Ajay Kumar Kesari, DR Date of hearing : 19/07/2023 Date of pronouncement : 20/07/2023 O R D E R Per PARTHA SARATHI CHAUDHURY, JM:

These appeals preferred by the assessee emanates from the separate orders ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Pune [for short, „CIT(E)‟] both dated 31.03.2023 as per the grounds of appeal on record.

4. It is a case of application for registration u/sec. 12AB and application for grant of exemption u/sec. 80G of the Act. In both the cases, the requirement of the provisions for registration are that the genuineness of the activities performed by the assessee-trust has to be verified by the ld. CIT(E) along with the fact that assessee-trust is also complying with the laws prevailing at that point of time, while the trust is doing charitable activities as per its objects. Similarly, for granting of exemption u/sec. 80G of the Act, the genuineness of the activities performed by the assessee-trust and the percentage of utilization of funds for the activities as per the objects of the trust whether these are done or not has to be verified as per the satisfaction of the ld. CIT(E). It is, but natural that to examine all these facts, various details/documents are called for from the assessee and accordingly, the department authorities decide whether registration and exemption should be granted to the assessee-trust as per the said provisions of the Act. In this case, it can be seen from the orders of the ld. CIT(E) in both the matters that opportunities were given but even after filing of various details by the assessee, still certain discrepancies were there, which were not clarified later on, by the assessee. Under these circumstances, their applications were rejected. Now, before us, ld.counsel for the assessee has prayed for one final opportunity to represent their case on merits before the ld. CIT(E) and submitted that assessee shall furnish all the details as and when called 2 & 691/PUN/2023 Shri Shiv Foundation for and at the same time prayed for reasonable opportunity may be given for submission of all these documents before the ld.CIT(E). We are of the considered view that the power to grant registration and exemption under the requisite provisions of the Act is with the Department provided that the requirement of the provisions are satisfied by the assessee. In this scenario, natural justice demands one final opportunity should be given to the assessee and in view thereof, we set aside both the orders of the ld. CIT(E) and remand the matters back to his file for fresh adjudication as per law complying with the principles of natural justice and at the same time, we direct the assessee that this being final opportunity, it should not fail to represent on merits before the ld. CIT(E) and submit relevant details/documents in order to represent their case on merits and substance on facts. That, after going through all these documentation, the Department shall take a call regarding whether it is a fit case to grant of registration u/sec.12AB and similarly grant of exemption u/sec. 80G of the Act. Accordingly, the grounds for both the appeals are allowed for statistical purposes.

Order pronounced in open Court on 20th July, 2023.