ROTARY CLUB OF RAJKOT MIDTOWN CHARITABLE TRUST,RAJKOT vs. THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX -EXEMPTION,AHMEDABAD, AHMEDABAD
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that the assessee should be granted one more opportunity to present its case and furnish necessary documents, as the rejection was primarily due to lack of evidence and insufficient opportunity was given.
What were the facts?
The assessee applied for registration under Section 12AB and 80G. The CIT(E) rejected the application for 12AB registration ex-parte due to non-response from the assessee, and also rejected the 80G application without providing an opportunity for hearing.
What were the issues?
Whether the CIT(E) erred in passing an ex-parte order without granting a meaningful opportunity of hearing and proper examination of the assessee's application for registration.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, RAJKOT BENCH, RAJKOT
Before: SHRI T. R. SENTHIL KUMAR & SHRI NARENDRA PRSAD SINHA
PER T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:
These two appeals are filed by the same Assessee as against the orders dated 07.03.2026 passed by the Ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Ahmedabad (in short “Ld. CIT(E)”) denying registration under Section 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).
The brief facts of the case are that the assessee filed applications in Form No. 10AB seeking registration under section 12AB and 80G(5)(iii) of the Act. Ld. CIT(E) given single opportunity of hearing on 11.02.2026 and the application filed for registration under section 12AB of the Act calling for the details of the activities and documents. However, the Assessee has not responded to the same which has resulted in passing an ex-parte order rejecting registration under section12AB of the Act as well as cancelling the provisional registration already granted by passing impugned order dated 07.03.2026. As far as application filed under section 80G(5) no opportunity was given to the Assessee Trust and the application for registration under section80G(5) was also rejected on the sole ground 12AB registration also denied to the Assessee Trust.
Aggrieved against the same Assessee Trust are in appeal before us raising the following Grounds of Appeal in ITA No. 710/Rjt/2026:
“1. Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in passing an ex-parte order rejecting application for registration u/s. 12AB of the act, which is arbitrary, mechanical, non-speaking bad in law in gross violation of principles of natural justice.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in rejecting application filed in Form No. 10AB.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in not considering the material already available on records in form of return of income, audit report etc.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in not granting meaningful and effect opportunity of being herd and without ensuring the fact whether the notice has actually come to the knowledge of the appellant.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in passing the order without examining the genuineness of the activities of the appellant.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in cancelling the provisional registration of the appellant.”
The Grounds of appeal raised by the assessee in ITA No.711/Rjt/2026 reads as under: -
“1. Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in passing an ex-parte order rejecting approval under sub-section (5) of section 80G of the act, which is arbitrary, mechanical, non-speaking, bad in law and in gross violation of principles of natural justice.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in rejecting application filed in Form No. 10AB.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in not considering the material already available on records in form of return of income, audit report etc.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in not granting meaningful and effect opportunity of being herd and without ensuring the fact whether the notice has actually come to the knowledge of the appellant.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in passing the order without examining the genuineness of the activities of the appellant.
Ld. CIT-Exemption erred in law as well as on facts in rejecting the approval without pointing out that the activities of the appellant are for specific religious community OR caste.”
Shri Samir Bhuptani, the Ld. AR of the assessee submitted that the assessee had furnished all details along with the application in Form No. 10AB before the Ld. CIT(E). He submitted that the assessee is in a position to furnish all other requisite details and documentary evidences to substantiate its claim and satisfy the conditions prescribed under sections 12AB and 80G(5)(iii) of the Act. He, therefore, prayed that the impugned order be set aside and the matter be restored to the file of the Ld. CIT(E) for fresh adjudication.
Per contra, Shri Sanjay Punglia, the Ld. CIT-DR, supported the orders passed by Ld. CIT(E). He, however, had no objection if the matter was set aside the file of the Ld. CIT(E) for allowing another opportunity to the Assessee Trust.
We have carefully considered the facts of the case and the material available on record. It is observed that the application of the assessee-trust for registration under section 12AB of the Act came to be rejected by the Ld. CIT(E) on the ground that the assessee failed to furnish supporting documentary evidences to establish fulfillment of the conditions prescribed under the said provision. Before us, the Ld. AR submitted that the assessee is ready and willing to furnish all the relevant details and evidences required for verification of its claim. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and keeping in view that the rejection has been made primarily for want of supporting documentary evidence and only one opportunity of hearing given to the Assessee Trust. We are of the considered view that one more opportunity deserves to be granted to the Assessee Trust to place all relevant material before the Ld. CIT(E). Therefore, in the interest of substantial justice and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim of the assessee, we deem it appropriate to set aside the impugned orders and restore the matter to the file of the Ld. CIT(E) for fresh adjudication. The assessee shall furnish all the documents, explanations and evidences as may be called for by the Ld. CIT(E) and shall fully cooperate in the registration proceedings. The Ld. CIT(E) shall afford adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee and thereafter pass a speaking order in accordance with law. Accordingly, the impugned orders are set aside and the matter is restored to the file of the Ld. CIT(E) for de novo consideration. The ground raised by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
In the result, the appeals filed by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the Court on 12.06.2026 at Ahmedabad. (NARENDRA P. SINHA) JUDICIAL MEMBER Ahmedabad, dated 12/06/2026 Tanmay, Sr. PS- 5 - आदेश की "ितिलिप अ"ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : अपीलाथ" / The Appellant 1. 2. ""थ" / The Respondent 3. संबंिधत आयकर आयु" / Concerned CIT आयकर आयु" अपील
( ) / The CIT(A)- िवभागीय "ितिनिध आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण राजोकट/DR,ITAT, Ahmedabad, 5. , , गाड" फाईल /
Guard file आदेशानुसार/ BY ORDER, उप/सहायक पंजीकार Dy./Asstt.
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