SONIYA ASHIKKUMAR SACHDEV,KOLHAPUR vs. INCOME-TAX OFFICER, WARD – 2(2), KOLHAPUR

The only issue raised in this appeal against the confirmation of the addition of Rs.14,05,000/- u/s 69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called as ‘the Act’).

Succinctly, the facts of the case are that the assessee made cash deposits amounting to Rs.14,05,000/- in her saving bank account maintained with The Saraswat Co-op. Bank Ltd., New Shahupuri Branch, Kolhapur. On being called upon to explain the source of such cash deposits, the assessee submitted that she has received a sum of Rs.11,01,500/- as cash gift from her brother, late Sh. Sandeep Ashokkumar Sachdev as was evidenced by Gift Deed dated 15.03.2013. Remaining amount of Rs.3,03,500/- was claimed to have been deposited out of her professional receipts and re-depositing of withdrawals from same bank account. The Assessing Officer observed that the amount in question was allegedly received from the brother on certain dates, namely, 15.12.2012 – Rs.2,80,000/-; 17.12.2012 – Rs.5,00,000/-; 27.12.2012 – Rs.21,500/-; 31.12.2012 – Rs.1,00,000/-; 15.03.2013 – Rs.2,00,000/-. As against that cash was deposited by the assessee in her bank account on 03.05.2013 – Rs.5,05,000/-; 06.05.2013 – Rs.5,00,000/-; 06.06.2013 – Rs.2,00,000/-; 21.03.2014 – Rs.2,00,000/-. The Assessing Officer did not accept the genuineness of the assessee’s explanation by noticing that alleged declaration of gift dated 15.3.2013 was drawn on a stamp paper of Rs.100/-, which was actually purchased on 13.03.2015. He, therefore, made the addition for the full amount. The ld. CIT(A) confirmed the assessment order. The assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal against the confirmation of above addition.

I have heard both the parties and gone through the relevant material on record. It is noticed that the assessee allegedly received cash amounting to Rs.11,01,000/- from his brother, namely, late Sh. Sandeep Ashokkumar Sachdev through Gift deed drawn on 15.03.2013. It was only on the examination of the said gift deed that it transpired that the stamp paper used for the said Gift deed of Rs.100/- was actually purchased on 13.03.2015. This shows that the assessee purchased stamp paper two years after the alleged declaration of gift. Such an illegal practice cannot be countenanced. It is further observed that the assessee was regularly maintaining a bank account. In such circumstances, it is beyond my comprehension as to why such a huge cash of Rs.11,01,500/- was not deposited in the bank account for a period close to six months. In view of such circumstances, I am satisfied that the assessee has not successfully proved that she genuinely received gift of Rs.11,01,500/- from her brother. Explanation to this extent is, therefore, rejected and the impugned order is upheld.

As regards the remaining amount of Rs.3,03,500/-, the assessee stated that this was out of professional receipts and re- depositing of withdrawals from the same bank account.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.