SAI BALAJI DEVELOPERS,HYDERABAD vs. ITO., WARD - 1, MAHABUBNAGAR

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ITA 907/HYD/2025Status: DisposedITAT Hyderabad03 June 2026AY 2022-2330 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the assessee firm had discharged its primary onus under Section 68 by demonstrating the nature and source of the credit entry, which was capital introduced by the partner. The partner's sale of land to Microsoft Corporation Ltd. was accepted as the source of funds.

What were the facts?

The Assessing Officer (AO) added Rs. 68.75 crores to the assessee firm's income as unexplained cash credit, representing capital introduced by a partner. The CIT(A) deleted this addition, holding that the source of capital was explained by the partner's sale of land.

What were the issues?

Whether the capital introduction by a partner into the firm was sufficiently explained by the partner's personal income source, and if the firm could be held liable for unexplained credits in its books.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 68

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, HYDERABAD “A” BENCH : HYDERABAD

Before: SHRI VIJAY PAL RAO & SHRI MADHUSUDAN SAWDIA

Hearing: 13.05.2026Pronounced: 03.06.2026

Heard together (2 matters)

ITA.No.9/HYD/2025
ITA.No.907/HYD/2025

Read from the judgment's own cause title. This page is filed under one of them.

आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण, हैदराबाद पीठ�, हैदराबाद INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, HYDERABAD “A” BENCH : HYDERABAD BEFORE SHRI VIJAY PAL RAO, VICE PRESIDENT AND SHRI MADHUSUDAN SAWDIA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ITA.No.9/HYD/2025 िनधा�रण वष�/Assessment Year: 2022-23 Income Tax Officer, Sai Balaji Developers Ward-1 vs. Mahbubnagar-509216, Mahbubnagar-509001, Telangana. Telangana. PAN ACZFS1334C (Appellant) (Respondent) ITA.No.907/HYD/2025 िनधा�रण वष�/Assessment Year: 2022-23 Sai Balaji Developers Income Tax Officer, Mahbubnagar-509216, vs. Ward-1 Telangana. Mahbubnagar-509001, PAN ACZFS1334C Telangana. (Appellant) (Respondent) For Revenue : MS. U Minichandran, CIT-DR For Assessee : Sri C Maheshwar Reddy, CA

Date of Hearing : 13.05.2026 Date of Pronouncement : 03.06.2026

2 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 ORDER PER VIJAY PAL RAO, VICE PRESIDENT :

These cross appeals filed by the Revenue and Assessee are directed against the Order dated 06.11.2024 of learned CIT(A)-National Faceless Assessment Centre [in short “NFAC”], Delhi, for the assessment year 2022-2023.

2.

The Revenue has raised the following grounds of appeal:

1) “The CIT(A) failed to appreciate that the assessee could not establish the primary onus on its part to explain the sources of the capital introduction by the partner Sri. A. Ravi Kumar. 2) The CIT(A) erred on facts and in law in concluding that the sources for capital introduction of Rs.65.97 Crores by partner Sri. A. Ravi Kumar remained explained merely relying on bank accounts of the partner and the assessee-firm as bank accounts are not conclusive books of account of the assessee-firm. 3) The CIT(A) failed to appreciate that the AO has given due, credit for an amount of Rs.5.21 Crores being the amount of withdrawals made by the

3 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 partner Sri. A. Ravi Kumar in his bank account favouring the assessee-firm and only added the difference amount of Rs.65.97 Crores towards unexplained cash credits u/s.68 of the I.T. Act, 1961. 4) The CIT(A) failed to appreciate that having substantial sale proceeds on account of transaction made by the partner towards hi share with M/s. Microsoft Corporation Ltd cannot come to the rescue of partner to explain the introduction of capital by him to the firm. 5) The CIT(A) failed to appreciate that through the identify and creditworthiness of the transaction made by Sri. A. Ravi Kumar was established, the core element of genuineness of the same was not established by the assessee-firm. 6) Any other ground that may be urged at the time of hearing.”

3.

The solitary issue arises in the appeal of the Revenue is whether in the facts and circumstances of the case the learned CIT(A) has erred in accepting the source of capital introduced to the tune of Rs.65.97 crores by the partner Sri Akula Ravikumar and thereby deleting the

4 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 addition made by the Assessing Officer of Rs.68.75 crores u/sec.68 of the Income Tax Act [in short "the Act"], 1961 . 4. The assessee is a partnership firm and filed its return of income for the year under consideration on 07.11.2022, admitting a total income of Rs.4,67,73,330/-. The case of the assessee was selected for scrutiny and the Assessing Officer issued a show cause notice to the assessee to explain the source of introduction of the capital by the partners. The assessee filed a reply and submitted that out of the total closing balance in the capital account of the three partners of Rs.73.96 crores there is a credit in the partners' capital account on account of share of profit of Rs.1,55,86,640/- each total amounting to Rs.4,67,59,919/- and remuneration of Rs.18 lakhs during the year under consideration. Further, there was an opening balance of Rs.3,32,10,611/- in the capital accounts of the partners. The remaining amount of Rs.65.79 crores was introduced by one of the partners, Sri Akula Ravi Kumar. The Assessing Officer accepted the source of introduction of the capital in the partners account to the tune of Rs.5,21,36,000/- as found

5 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 from the bank accounts of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar as well as bank account of the assessee firm out of the closing balance of Rs.73.96 crores and the balance amount of Rs.68.75 crores was added as unexplained cash credit u/sec.68 of the Act.

5.

The assessee challenged the action of the Assessing Officer before the learned CIT(A) and explained that the Assessing Officer had not considered the opening balance in the capital account of the three partners, the share in the profit of the firm credited in the capital accounts of the partners as well as the remuneration credited to the capital accounts of the partners. Further, the assessee explained that the balance amount of Rs.65.79 crores was introduced by the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar by way of purchase consideration paid in respect of the land purchased by the assessee firm. The source of the said payment made by the partner was also explained as the sale of agricultural land by the said partner to M/s. Microsoft Corporate India Private Limited for a consideration of Rs.126.99 crores. Thus, assessee contended before the learned CIT(A) that the partner

6 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 was having sufficient funds to make the said payment of Rs.65.79 crores in respect of the land purchased by the assessee partnership firm, which was credited in the capital account of the partner as introduction of the capital. The learned CIT(A) accordingly deleted the addition made by the Assessing Officer and aggrieved by the order of the learned CIT(A), the Revenue has filed the appeal before the Tribunal.

6.

The learned DR has submitted that the Assessing Officer has given the reasons that, except the bank account transfer by Sri Akula Ravi Kumar of Rs.5,21,36,000/- the assessee failed to produce the supporting evidence to explain the source of the remaining amount for the introduction of capital in the hands of the partners. He has further submitted that the assessee has failed to produce any record to authorise the partner for making the said payment on behalf of the assessee firm in respect of the alleged purchase of land. He has relied upon the Order of the Assessing Officer and submitted that despite various opportunities given by the Assessing Officer the assessee failed to substantiate its claim with the help of supporting documents, as the assessee did

7 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 not furnish copies of the bank account of the partner to show the source of the capital introduced during the year. From the bank account produced by the assessee before the Assessing Officer, the Assessing Officer found that only a sum of Rs.5,21,36,000/- was transferred from the partner's bank account to the firm’s bank account and the remuneration amount remains unexplained.

7.

On the other hand, the learned Authorised Representative for the Assessee has submitted that the Assessing Officer has made the addition by taking the closing balance in the capital account of the partner without excluding the opening balance, the shares of the partners in the profit of the firm credited in the capital account of the partners as well as the remuneration of the partners credited in the capital accounts of the partners. All these details were available before the Assessing Officer as part of the record and particularly, the profit and loss account as well as the bank account of the assessee and partners. Though the Assessing Officer has accepted the fact that the sum of Rs.5,21,36,000/- was transferred from the bank account of

8 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar to the bank account of the assessee firm however, the Assessing Officer has made the addition of Rs.68.75 crores without considering the fact duly explained with supporting evidence that the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar has transferred the sum of Rs.11,87,02,000/- from his bank account to the bank account of the assessee firm which is reflected from the bank account statements of the assessee as well as the partner. Apart from the said amount, the partner also made the payment for the business purpose of the assessee firm towards purchase consideration of the land to the tune of Rs.54,11,62,485/- total amounting to Rs.65,98,54,485/-. Thus, the learned Authorised Representative for the Assessee submitted that the assessee explained all the details before the Assessing Officer however, the Assessing Officer has accepted only the part amount of transfer from the bank instead of the full amount of Rs.11.87 crores and balance amount spent by the partner towards purchase of land on behalf of the firm to the tune of Rs.54.11 crores was not at all considered by the Assessing Officer despite the transactions

9 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 are reflected in the bank account statements and sale deeds produced before the Assessing Officer. The learned CIT(A) has deleted the addition by considering all these facts manifest from the record. The learned Authorised Representative for the Assessee has referred to the sale deed dated 30.09.2021 placed at Page nos.281 to 404 of the paper book, whereby the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar as well as the assessee firm, transferred their respective shares in the land in favour of M/s. Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited and the partner received the consideration of Rs.126.19 crores, which is duly reflected in the said sale deed, and therefore, the source in the hands of the partner was also duly explained for making the payment of subsequent purchase of land on behalf of the assessee firm. The department has accepted the said transaction of sale of land by the partner for a consideration of Rs.126.19 crores and the same was also assessed by the Assessing Officer to tax in the hand of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar while passing the assessment order u/sec.143(3) r.ws..144B of the Act dated 21.03.2024. He has filed copy of the said assessment order.

10 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 8. We have considered the rival submissions and carefully perused the relevant record. During the scrutiny assessment the Assessing Officer has made the addition on account of unexplained credit in respect of the capital introduced by the partners u/sec.68 of the Act by giving the reasons in Para nos.4.7 and 4.8 as under:

“4.7. Point wise rebuttal of reply of the assessee including analysis of any case law relied upon. The assessee vide its reply dated 06.03.2024 reiterated its previous claim that the partner of this firm has sold a land in his individual capacity in favour of M/s. MICROSOFT CORPORATION LTD vide registered sale deed No. 14652/2021 during the year and this is the source of the capital which was subsequently introduced in the assessee firm. However, the assessee once again failed to substantiate its contention by not producing the following documentary evidences as sought by this office for verification of assessee's claim:  Bank statement of the assessee, reflecting the relevant entry/entries through which such capital has been introduced in its capital account.  Partner's Capital Account Further, from the perusal of the partner's bank account, as produced by the assessee firm, it is observed that partner Mr. Akula Ravi Kumar had transferred the fund amounting to Rs.5,21,36,000/- only to the assessee as per the details mentioned below:

11 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025

In view of the above, the genuineness of the transactions regarding the introduction of balance amount of such huge capital (i.e. 73,96,75,255/- minus 5,21,36,000/- equals to Rs.68,75,39,255/-) in the assessee firm during the year could not be verified.

4.8 Conclusion drawn: During the course of assessment proceedings, the assessee was given sufficient opportunity through various notices (as per details given in table supra) to represent its case and was also requested to furnish details with regard to the above-mentioned transactions. Replies of the assessee have been considered and placed on record. In view of the above facts and discussion, it is evident that the assessee had not submitted justified explanation and/or

12 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 supporting documents/evidences (as detailed in the preceding para 4.7) regarding the substantial increase in firm's capital during the year under consideration.

Therefore, an amount of Rs.68,75,39,255/- (being the unexplained amount of capital introduced in the assessee firm during the year) is being treated as Unexplained cash credits u/s 68 of the Act and hence, added back to the total income of the [Addition: assessee for the year under consideration. Rs.68,75,39,255/-]”

8.1. It is pertinent to note that the Assessing Officer has taken the closing balance in the capital account of the partners of the assessee firm, the details of which, are as under:

8.2. From these details, it is clear that there was an opening balance in the partner’s capital account to the tune

13 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 of Rs.3,32,10,611/- and a credit amount of share of the profit to the tune of Rs.4,67,59,919/- as well as a credit of Rs.18 lakhs on account of remuneration. Without even considering and excluding these credits and opening balance, the Assessing Officer has taken the closing balance of the partners' capital account and then allowed transfer of Rs.5,21,36,000/- as found the transfer from the bank account of Sri Akula Ravi Kumar to the bank account of the assessee firm. These transfers were taken only from one bank account of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar. The assessee also explained before the Assessing Officer that the partner has made the payment to the tune of Rs.54,11,62,485/- towards the purchase of land on behalf of the assessee firm. The Assessing Officer has not disputed the purchase of land by the firm during the year which is also reflected in the profit and loss account as part of the purchase during the year and also part of the closing stock of land. However, the Assessing Officer has made the addition on the ground that the assessee has not proved with documentary evidence the source of the said payment in the hand of the partner. It is

14 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 pertinent to note that the assessee filed sale deed dated 30.09.2021 whereby Sri Akula Ravi Kumar the partner as well as the assessee firm along with other vendors sold the land to M/s. Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited for a total consideration of Rs.158,28,82,351/- out of which, the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar received a total consideration of Rs.127.47 crores and net amount after TDS of Rs.126.19 crores and therefore, the sale deed reflects the source of the fund in the hand of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar to the tune of Rs.126.19 crores as net amount received after TDS. The said availability of fund is further corroborated by the assessment order in the case of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar dated 21.03.2024 passed u/sec.143(3) r.w.s.144B of the Act whereby the Assessing Officer has assessed the said amount as capital gain in the hand of the said partner in Para no.4.6 and 5 of the said assessment order as under:

“4.6. Conclusion drawn: In view of aforesaid facts and findings it is concluded that the assessee explanation to show cause notice is not satisfactory and the same has failed to show cause as to why the nature and status of the pieces of the land sold by the

15 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 assessee to M/S MICROSOFT CORPORATION (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED during the F.Y. 2021-22 relevant to A.Y. 2022-23 should not be 'Non-agricultural and capital asset u/s 2(14) of Income Tax Act, 1961 and as to why the capital gain on such transfer of capital asset should not be chargeable to tax. In accordance with aforesaid conclusion the pieces of land sold to M/s MICROSOFT CORPORATION (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED during the F.Y. 2021-22 relevant to A.Y. 2022-23 is considered Capital Asset u/s 2(14) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. As such profits and gains from such transfer of capital asset is taxable under the head Capital Gain. Even after repeated requirement through notice u/s 142(1) the assessee did not furnish the calculation of gain from property transfer. However, from material gathered u/s 133(6) same is calculated below:

The assessee has failed to offer the Long Term Capital Gain of Rs.125,87,80,300/-calculated above for taxation. Hence, the said amount is added to his total income. Penalty proceeding u/s 270A is initiated for under reporting of such income.

16 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025

The assessee has failed to establish his claim of cultivation of land with required documentary evidences. Hence, exemption claimed for agricultural income of Rs.66,125/- is disallowed and the same is treated as profit from business. Penalty proceeding u/s 270A is initiated for under reporting of such income.

8.3. Thus, the department itself has assessed the said sale consideration of Rs.127.47 crores for the purpose of capital gain to the tune of Rs.125.87 crores in the hand of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar. Accordingly, the source in the hand of the patner is established beyond any doubt when the

17 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 Assessing Officer has assessed the said amount in the hand of the partner on transfer of the land. The learned CIT(A) has decided this issue in Para nos.5.2 to 5.9 as under:

“5.2. Brief facts leading to the impugned addition is that case of the appellant was selected for scrutiny for the reason "substantial increase in capital in a year. During the course of assessment proceedings, appellant submitted that one of the Partners of the firm Sri Akula Ravi Kumar has made the contribution to the capital for the purpose of business of the appellant firm. The business of the Appellant firm involves developing of residential plots & other real estate development activities. And for the purpose of development, the appellant firm has purchased certain lands. Due to urgency in the matter to seal the deal for purchase of land partner of the appellant firm Shri Ravi Kumar has made the payments directly to the sellers of the land which is purchased for the purpose of promotion of the business of the appellant firm. Certain payments were directly transferred to the bank account of the appellant firm for the purpose of its business by partner Shri Ravi Kumar. The details of capital introduced by the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar were submitted before the AO along with bank statement as well as its source. However, not satisfied with the explanation submitted by the appellant, AO made the impugned addition u/s 68 of the Act. 5.3. It is the contention of the appellant that AO has not considered and accepted the entire capital introduction in spite of documentary evidences submitted in support of the capital introduced by the partner in the books of appellant firm ignoring the basic fact that the capital introduced by the partner of the firm has clear sources. That AO has accepted only the amounts which

18 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 is reflecting the name of the firm as 'Sai Balaji Developers' and rest of the amounts paid by the partner for the purpose of business of appellant firm was not considered. Appellant has submitted the following details in respect of capital introduced by the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar as under:

S.No. Particulars Amount (in Rs.) Transfer of funds by the partner a. Shri. Akula Ravi Kumar bank 11,87,02,000 account to Appellant bank account Payments made by Shri. Akula b. Ravi Kumar for the purpose of 54,11,62,485 business of the Appellant firm TOTAL amount of capital additions Shri. Akula Ravi 65,98,64,485 Kumar in the Appellant firm

Appellant has further submitted that during the year under consideration, partner Sh. Akula Ravi Kumar has paid certain amounts to the firm and certain amount directly to the landlords for purchase of the lands in the name of the appellant firm. All these amounts are transferred from the bank account of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar and all the amounts duly recorded in the books of accounts of the appellant firm and the same is confirmed by the" partner Shri Ravi Kumar with his clear sources during the course of scrutiny proceedings before the AO. However, AO has only seen the name of the firm in the bank statement of the partner and even the direct bank transfer made by the partner to the firm's bank account was not considered. Further, the amounts paid by the partner to the land lords for purchase of land was also

19 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 ignored. In support of its contention appellant has uploaded the bank account statement of the partner highlighting the details of payment made by him directly to the landlords as well as to the appellant firm. The details of transfer of funds by the partner to the Appellant firm for its business purpose has been submitted by the appellant which is reproduced as under for the sake of clarity:-

20 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025

21 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025

5.4. It has further been submitted by the appellant that all the above payments are duly recorded in the books of account and supported by the above documentary evidences which were also submitted before the AO during the course of scrutiny proceedings. The sources of above payments made by the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar has also been explained before AO that during the year under consideration, the partner Shri Akula Ravi Kumar and the Appellant along with 4 other parties have jointly sold an agricultural land to M/s Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Limited for a sale consideration of Rs.158,28,82,351/- vide registered document number 14652/2021 on 30-09-2021. The share of the partner comes to Rs.126,19,62,319/- which can be seen at page no. 17 of the said sale deed. Further, the same is also seen from the bank account of the partner 50200061880094 as Annexure-16 at page No 1. The sale consideration received by the partner for Rs.126,19,63,319/- is the source for making the investments in the Appellant firm for Rs.65,98,64,485/-. These facts were also submitted during the course of scrutiny proceedings, but the AO has failed to appreciate it. Further,

22 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 appellant has also contended that there is no cash deposit or unexplained entry for making the investment by the partner for the appellant firm. The clear source is from sale of agricultural land and the amount is clearly appearing in the bank account of the partner Sri Akula Ravi Kumar which is received from the well- known Multi National Company which is evidenced by the sale deed and bank account of the partner. 5.5. I have carefully gone through the grounds of appeal, facts of the case, assessment order passed by the AO, written submission as well as documentary evidences uploaded and judicial decisions relied upon by the appellant. After verification of the Balance Sheet and its annexed statements, it is found that the increase in capitals of the partners was Rs.65,79,04,725/- and not the amount of Rs.70,64,64,644/- as calculated by the assessing officer. The difference amount in the partner's capital account of Rs.4,85,59,919/- represents the remuneration paid to Sri A. Varun Kumar of Rs.12,00,000/- & Smt. A. Vasantha of Rs.6,00,000/-. The balance amount of Rs.4,67,59,919/- represents the share of profit credited to the partner's capital account. Thus the net increase in capital by way of introduction was only Rs.65,79,04,725/-. And this amount was stated to be introduced by the partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar. As the total remuneration and share of profit credited to the partner's capital account of Rs.4,85,59,919/- does not require any supporting documentary evidence for sources and it was generated from the firm's books of account, the integral part made in the total addition of Rs.68,75,39,255/-. On verifying the Balance Sheet as on 31.03.2022 and its annexed statements, the capital accounts of the partners are found to be as under:-

23 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 Total capital of the partners as on 01.04.2021 Rs. 3,32,10,611 Capital introduced by Partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar Rs. 65,79,04,725 Remuneration credited to partners' capital Rs. 18,00,000 account Share of profit credited to partners' capital Rs. 4,67,59,919 account Total Capital of the partners' as on 31.03.2022 Rs. 73,96,75,255

As seen from the above, the actual increase in the partners' capital was Rs.65,79,04,725/- not Rs.73,96,75,255/- as calculated by the AO. The difference of Rs.4,85,59,919/- in the partners' capital account includes remuneration of Rs.12,00,000 paid to Sri A. Varun Kumar and Rs.6,00,000/- to Smt. A. Vasantha. The remaining amount of Rs.4,67,59,919/- represents the share of profit credited to the partners' capital account. Consequently, the net increase in capital introduced was only Rs.65,79,04,725/- attributed to partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar. Since the total amount of Rs.4,85,59,919/- which includes remuneration and share of profit credited to the partners' capital account, originates from the firm's books and does not require external supporting evidence, therefore this amount is excluded from the overall addition of Rs.68,75,39,255/-, Thus, the addition to the capital of partners of the appellant firm representing remuneration & share of profit of Rs.4,85,59,919/- is deleted as it does not constitute as an unexplained cash credit u/s 68 of the Act.

5.6. In respect of the claim of capital introduction by partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar amounting to Rs.65,79,04,725/-, appellant has explained during the assessment proceedings that Mr. A. Ravi Kumar, in the previous year under consideration, sold land jointly with other co-owners to. M/s. Microsoft Corporation Ltd. This sale was made vide Registered Sale Deed No.14652/2021, with a total sale consideration of Rs.158,28,82,500/-. Mr. A. Ravi Kumar's share in this sale

24 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 amounted to Rs.127,47,09,413, which was the source for his additional capital introduction into the appellant firm. The appellant firm submitted copies of the registered sale deed and bank statements. AO has not questioned or doubted the transaction's genuineness during the assessment proceedings. However, AO has identified bank transfer entries by the partner total amounting to Rs.5,21,36,000/- as genuine and noted that the remaining capital introduction amounts were not reflected in the bank account, hence, treated the balance amount as unexplained cash credit under Section 68 of Act.

5.7. From the perusal of documents available on record, it is apparent that Mr. A. Ravi Kumar partner of the firm had transferred funds directly to the accounts of the land owners on behalf of the appellant firm to expedite the transaction in respect of purchase of land. This fact was also brought to the notice of the AO during assessment proceedings in response to the query raised by the AO that partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar made payments totaling Rs.54,10,12,725/- on behalf of the appellant firm to the land vendors, hence, this amount is treated as his capital contribution to the firm. All the remittances stated above have been verified against the bank account statements provided by the appellant firm and it is found that partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar has made a total capital investment of Rs.65,97,14,725/- in the appellant firm during the previous year under consideration, as under:

Bank transfers to Vendors on behalf of the Rs.54,10,12,725 appellant. Bank transfers directly to the appellant Rs.11,87,02,000 Total transfers made by the partner Sri A. Ravi Rs.65,97,14,725 Kumar as his capital

25 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 Hence, appellant firm has duly explained the source of total remittance made by partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar for his capital introduction during the previous year under consideration during the assessment proceedings as well as appellate proceedings supported by verifiable evidence in the form of copies of registered sale deeds. Therefore, the addition made under Section 68 of the Act as unexplained cash credit amounting to Rs.63,89,79,336/- is not sustainable.

5.8. The primary condition for invoking the provisions of section 68 of the Act is that there is a credit entry in the books of account of the assessee during the year and assessee offers no explanation or if the explanation offered by the assessee is not found satisfactory in the opinion of the AO in respect of identity, credit worthiness and genuineness of that transaction i.e. the credit entry found in the books of the assessee. Hence, assessee has to discharge the primary onus envisaged in section 68 to prove the nature, identity of lender, source of cash deposits i.e. credit worthiness of lender as well as genuineness of transactions in respect of credit entry found in the books of accounts of the assessee. The burden of proof lies upon the assessee to furnish the details/documentary evidences to support its contention and to offer the best possible explanation and after submission of the explanations, the onus cast by virtue of this section is shifted to the department to make rebuttals of the contentions made by the assessee in his explanations offered in the situation of making any adverse opinion in the case of the assessee or if he is not satisfied with the explanation offered by the assessee. In the present case, appellant has successfully discharged the primary onus cast upon by virtue of Section 68 of the Act and demonstrated the nature and source of credit entry found in the books of the appellant firm during the year under consideration, which is actually the capital

26 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 introduced by the partner in the books of the firm. Further, the source of capital introduced by the partner Sri A. Ravi Kumar was also explained by the appellant during the assessment proceedings that Mr. A. Ravi Kumar, in the previous year under consideration had sold land jointly with other co-owners to M/s. Microsoft Corporation Ltd. This sale was made vide Registered Sale Deed No. 14652/2021, with a total sale consideration of Rs.158,28,82,500/-. Mr. A. Ravi Kumar's share in this sale amounted to Rs.127,47,09,413/-, which was the source for his additional capital introduction into the appellant firm during the year under consideration. The appellant firm had also submitted copies of the registered sale deed and AO did not question or doubted the genuineness of transaction during the assessment proceedings. Further, in this case the source of funds introduced stands owned and accepted by its partner Sh. A. Ravi Kumar. He is an individual and in such capacity assessed to tax independently. The source of funds from which the partner had advanced the money to the appellant firm by way of capital introduction was from consideration received from sale of land. In such facts and circumstances as far as this appellant Firm is concerned, no adverse view can be taken. Stretching the AO's reasoning hypothetically to scenario where a person, a partner in such cases, owns/confirms the transaction but the source of his funds is dubious; can an adverse view be taken against the Firm as long as the partner is owning the transaction/money advanced to the Firm? In my view action will still lie against the partner of the Firm and not the Firm. Therefore, without prejudice to the fact of the case discussed in the preceding para, the action of AO in the present case is unsustainable in view of the transaction's confirmation by the partner.

27 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 5.9. In view of the above discussion, AO is directed to delete the addition of Rs.68,75,39,255/- made u/s 68 of the Act and Ground no. 3 of the appeal raised by the appellant on this issue is allowed.”

8.4. The facts as recorded by the learned CIT(A) in the impugned order are not in dispute and nothing has been brought before us by the department to controvert these facts otherwise evident from the record. Accordingly, we do not find any error or illegality in the impugned order of the learned CIT(A).

9.

In the result, appeal ITA.No.9/Hyd./2025 of the Revenue is dismissed.

ITA.No.907/Hyd./2025 – A.Y. 2022-2023 [Assessee’s Appeal]

10.

Though the assessee has filed a cross-appeal, however, as it is apparent from the impugned order of the learned CIT(A) that there is no grievance of the assessee against the impugned order when the appeal of the assessee was allowed and the addition made by the Assessing Officer was deleted. Therefore, the learned Authorised Representative for the Assessee has submitted that instead

28 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 of filing the cross objection, the assessee has inadvertently filed the cross appeal, and he has pleaded that the assessee does not want to press the appeal and the same may be dismissed as withdrawn. He has filed an application dated 13.05.2026 for withdrawal of the appeal which reads as under:

29 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 11. On the other hand, the learned DR has raised no objection if the appeal of the assessee is dismissed as withdrawn.

12.

Accordingly, in view of the facts and circumstances when no grievance of the assessee is raised against the impugned order, the present appeal of the assessee is allowed to be withdrawn and the same is dismissed being withdrawn.

13.

In the result, appeal ITA.No.907/Hyd./2025 of the Assessee is dismissed as withdrawn.

14.

To sum-up, appeal of the Revenue is dismissed and appeal of the Assessee is dismissed as withdrawn. A copy of this common order is placed in the respective case files.

Order pronounced in the open Court on 03.06.2026

Sd/- Sd/- [MADHUSUDAN SAWDIA] [VIJAY PAL RAO] ACCOUNTANT MEMBER VICE PRESIDENT Hyderabad, Dated 03rd June, 2026 VBP

30 ITA.Nos.9 & 907/Hyd./2025 Copy to: The Income Tax Officer, Ward-1, Plot No.04, 1. Income Tax Office, Bhasker Towers, Srinivasa Colony, MAHABUBNAGAR – 509 001. Telangana. M/s. Sai Balaji Developers, H.No.11-145, Nehru 2. Colony, SHADNAGAR – 509 216. Mahabubnagar. 3. The Pr. CIT, Hyderabad. 4. The DR, ITAT, “A” Bench, Hyderabad. 5. Guard file. BY ORDER VADREVU Digitally signed by VADREVU PRASADA PRASADA RAO Date: 2026.06.03 RAO 15:09:45 +05'30'

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