MAKHIJA CHANDRAKUMAR HARIRAM vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER AHMEDNAGAR
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court found no error in the judgment of the Tribunal. The Tribunal was justified in remitting the matters back to the Commissioner Appeals to determine the correct income of the assessee afresh. This was to be done after a careful study of comparable cases in the line of business and by examining all material gathered from the revenue department to determine the correct turnover of the assessee. The Commissioner Appeals had noted that the assessee did not maintain proper books of accounts and their explanations on subsidiary issues were unsatisfactory, leading to an ad-hoc assessment. The Tribunal's decision to remand was based on the Commissioner Appeals not considering a remand report and determining tax liability on an ad-hoc basis. The High Court held that no substantial question of law arose.
What were the facts?
The appeals were filed by the assessee (legal heirs of Chandrakumar Hariram Makhija and Shaikh Rashid Mohammed Bagban) against the order of the Income Tax Tribunal. The Tribunal had remitted the matters back to the Commissioner Appeals. The assessee contended that liability was sought to be fastened based solely on a 'chit' found at the premises of M/s. Tulsi Lottery Agency for assessment years 1999-2000. The assessee argued that the Tribunal erred in placing the onus on them to disprove the document's correctness, citing the Evidence Act. The revenue supported the Tribunal's order. The Commissioner Appeals had noted that the assessee did not maintain proper books of accounts and explanations on subsidiary issues were unsatisfactory, leading to an ad-hoc assessment.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal was justified in remitting the matters back to the Commissioner Appeals without a proper consideration of the books of accounts of M/s. Tulsi Lottery Agency, particularly when the liability was sought to be fastened based on a 'chit' found in their premises? (Question of law and fact, concerning the assessment of income and evidence). Assessee's contention: The Tribunal erred in remitting the matters back without properly examining the books of M/s. Tulsi Lottery Agency. The onus should not be on the assessee to disprove the 'chit' found, as this is not in consonance with the Evidence Act. Revenue's contention: The revenue supported the Tribunal's judgment.
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
1 ita 39.15 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 39 OF 2015 Makhija Chandrakumar Hariram Died through legal heirs 1A Hema W/o Chandrakumar Makhija and others .. Appellants WITH INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 40 OF 2015 Makhija Chandrakumar Hariram Died through legal heirs 1A Hema W/o Chandrakumar Makhija and others .. Appellants WITH INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 41 OF 2015 Shaikh Rashid Mohammed Bagban .. Appellant Mrs. C. S. Deshmukh, Advocate for the Appellant in all matters. Shri Alok Sharma, Advocate for the Respondent in all matters. CORAM : S. V. GANGAPURWALA AND ARUN M. DHAVALE, JJ. DATE : 16TH JANUARY, 2018.
2 ita 39.15 FINAL ORDER : . The Tribunal has remitted the matters back to the Commissioner Appeals. Aggrieved by the said order the assessee has filed present appeals. 2. Mrs. Deshmukh, the learned advocate for appellants submits that, simply on the basis of chit found in the premises of M/s. Tulsi Lottery Agency, the liability is sought to be fastened on the appellants. The Commissioner Appeals has considered that, there was no substantial evidence to fasten the liability on the present appellants and the Commissioner Appeals came to the conclusion that the addition made by the Assessing Officer cannot be sustained on the basis of the account extract of the appellants in the books of accounts of M/s. Tulsi Lottery Agency. The enquiy in case of M/s Tulsi Lottery Agency was made for assessment years 19992000. The learned advocate submits that, the Tribunal as a matter of course has remitted the matters back without considering the books of accounts of M/s Tulsi Lottery Agency in proper manner. According to the learned counsel, it was erroneous on the part of the Tribunal to hold that the onus would lie on the appellants to disprove the correctness of said document i. e. chit found in the premises of Tulsi Lottery Agency. The same would not be in consonance with the provisions of Evidence Act.
3 ita 39.15 3. Mr. Sharma, the learned counsel for respondents supports the judgment of the Tribunal. 4. We have perused the judgment delivered by the Commissioner Appeals and Income Tax Tribunal. The Commissioner Appeals has observed that, even the appellants did not maintain proper books of accounts and could not convince on many subsidiary issues. However, on adhoc basis assessed the liability of payment of tax. The Tribunal has observed that, the remand report was called by the Commissioner. The Commissioner did not take into account the remand report. 5. It was further observed by the Tribunal that the Commissioner has determined the tax liability on adhoc basis without considering the remand report and was convinced about non maintenance of books of accounts by this appellant and also had held that the explanation on subsidiary issues were not satisfactory. 6. In view of that, the Tribunal was justified in remitting the matters back to the Commissioner Appeals to determine afresh correct income of assessee after careful study of comparable cases in this line of business. The first appellate authority is directed to examine all the material gathered from the revenue department and thereupon determine the correct turnover of the
4 ita 39.15 assessee. 7. We do not see any error in the judgment of the Tribunal. No substantial question of law arises. As such, appeals stand dismissed. No costs. [ARUN M. DHAVALE, J.] [S. V. GANGAPURWALA, J.] bsb/Jan. 17
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