MAV STEELS PRIVATE LIMITED,DELHI vs. ITO, WARD 16(3), DELHI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that there was a violation of the principles of natural justice. Consequently, the ex-parte order passed by the learned CIT(A) was set aside. The Tribunal also noted that the order of the Assessing Officer was ex-parte and therefore, it was also set aside. The matter was remanded back to the file of the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication, including jurisdictional issues. Regarding the appeal filed under Section 271(1)(c), the Tribunal observed that since the ex-parte orders of the CIT(A) and the Assessing Officer were set aside and the matter was remanded for fresh adjudication, the Assessing Officer could reinitiate penalty proceedings if concealment of income was found during the set-aside proceedings. Accordingly, the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) was deleted. The appeal in ITA No.1150/Del/2026 was allowed for statistical purposes, and the appeal in ITA No.1151/Del/2026 was allowed.
What were the facts?
The assessee, M/s Mav Steels Private Limited, filed appeals against the orders of the learned CIT(Appeals), NFAC, Delhi for the assessment year 2015-16. The assessment was originally made by the Assessment Unit, Income Tax Department, under Section 147 read with Section 144B of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The learned CIT(A) had dismissed the assessee's appeal ex-parte for non-prosecution and non-submission of responses to hearing notices. The assessee's grounds of appeal (4 & 5) contended that the ex-parte dismissal violated principles of natural justice and that the non-submission of responses was due to circumstances beyond their control, specifically the accountant's failure to check notices promptly. The revenue, represented by the Senior DR, could not controvert the ex-parte nature of the CIT(A)'s order.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the learned CIT(A) erred in dismissing the assessee's appeal ex-parte on the grounds of non-compliance, thereby violating the principles of natural justice (turning on principles of natural justice). 2. Whether the learned CIT(A) erred in dismissing all grounds of appeal due to non-submission of response to a hearing notice, which was allegedly beyond the appellant's control due to an accountant's oversight (turning on principles of natural justice and facts of the case). 3. Whether the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act is sustainable, given that the primary assessment order was also ex-parte (turning on Section 271(1)(c) and Section 147). Assessee's contentions (as per grounds of appeal): The learned CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeal ex-parte, violating principles of natural justice. The non-submission of response to the hearing notice was due to circumstances beyond the appellant's control, specifically the accountant's failure to check notices in a timely manner, leading to an ex-parte order. Revenue's contentions: The Senior DR could not controvert the fact that the order of the learned CIT(A) was ex-parte and for non-prosecution simplicitor.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH-F : NEW DELHI
Before: SHRI MAHAVIR SINGH & SHRI SANJAY AWASTHI
Per Mahavir Singh, Vice President:
These appeals by the assessee are directed against the order of learned ClT(Appeals), NFAC, Delhi dated 23" October, 2025 in appeal No.NFAC/2014-15/10377333. Assessment in this case was made by the Assessment Unit, Income Tax Department vide order dated 22"4 May, 2023 passed under Section 147 read with Section 144B of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) for the assessment year 2015-16. 2. None is present from assessee’s side but, going through the order of learned CIT(A) and that of the Assessing Officer, it is noticed that learned CIT(A) has dismissed the appeal ex-parte for non- prosecution and non-submission of response to hearing notices. The assessee has raised ground Nos.4 & 5 as under:- “4, That the NFAC erred in dismissing the appeal ex- parte on the grounds of non-compliance by the assessee, therefore, the assessee prays that following the principles of natural justice, the impugned order be set aside.
That the NFAC has grossly erred in law and on fact by dismissing the appeal of the appellant by dismissing all the grounds of appeal on the ground of non-submission of response to hearing notice which was beyond the control of the appellant as the accountant of the assessee, responsible for checking the notices failed to do so on timely manner resulting in an ex-parte order.”
Hence, we proceed to hear the matter ex-parte qua the assessee. When these facts were confronted to the learned Senior DR, she could not controvert the above fact situation that the order of learned CIT(A) is ex-parte and that also of non-prosecution simplicitor. We notice that there is violation of principles of natural justice. Hence, the ex-parte order passed by the learned CIT(A) is set aside. Further, we notice that the order of the Assessing Officer is also ex-parte and hence, the same is also set aside and the matter remanded back to the file of the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication including the jurisdictional issues. Hence, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
Coming to assessee’s appeal in ITA No.1151/Del/2026, it is noticed that this appeal is filed under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act. Since we have already set aside the ex-parte order of the learned CIT(A) and that of the Assessing Officer in the appeal of the assessee under Section 147 to the file of the Assessing Officer in the earlier part of this order for fresh adjudication including the jurisdictional issues, the Assessing Officer can reinitiate penalty proceedings if, during the set aside proceedings, he finds that there is concealment of income on the part of the assessee. The penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Act is accordingly deleted.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.1150/Del/2026 is allowed for statistical purposes and the appeal in ITA No.1151/Del/2026 is allowed.
Decision pronounced in the open Court on conclusion of hearing on 4" June, 2026. (SANJAY AWASTHI) (MAHAVIR SINGH) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER VICE PRESIDENT
Date : 09.06.2026
VK.
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- Neo Incorporation, Rajkot vs DCIT Circle- 1(2), RajkotITA 471/RJT/2026[2012-2013]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2012-2013
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