Facts
The assessee filed an appeal challenging an order passed under Section 250 of the Income Tax Act. The assessee failed to appear before the AO, CIT(A), and the Tribunal, despite repeated notices and opportunities. The AO completed the assessment under Section 144 based on available information due to non-cooperation.
Held
The Tribunal noted the assessee's consistent non-compliance and failure to appear before the revenue authorities. Considering the totality of facts and the assessee's conduct, the appeal was dismissed ex-parte.
Key Issues
Whether the appeal can be dismissed ex-parte due to the assessee's repeated non-appearance and non-compliance with notices and statutory provisions.
Sections Cited
250, 144, 249(4), 249(4)(b)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “D” BENCH MUMBAI
Before: HON’BLE SHRI SANDEEP GOSAIN & SHRI GIRISH AGRAWAL
Date of Hearing 16.07.2025 Date of Pronouncement 24.07.2025 आदेश / ORDER
PER SANDEEP GOSAIN, JM:
1. The present appeal has been filed by the assessee challenging the impugned order dt. 28.12.2025 passed under section 250 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’), by the National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC) / CIT(A) for the assessment year 2012-13.
Neither the assessee nor his representative appeared when the case was called repeatedly. From the records we noticed that assessee is in the habit of non compliance even before the AO and as well as Ld. CIT(A) and because of this reason the appeal of the assessee has also been dismissed by Ld. CIT(A). We also noticed that as per the endorsement made by the registry notice of hearing was sent to the assessee through e-mail as well and through RPAD, but even then non appeared on behalf of the assessee, no application for seeking adjournment has been filed.
On the other hand, Ld. DR present in the court is ready with the arguments. Therefore considering the non cooperative conduct of the assessee, we have decided to proceed with the hearing of the case ex-parte.
After hearing Ld. DR and evaluating the record, we found that information was available with the income tax department to the effect that assessee had made cash deposit of Rs. 34,50,000/- in the HDFC bank Ltd and also made transactions on commodity exchange amounting to Rs. 63,12,137/- during the year under consideration. On verification, it was noticed by the department that the assessee had not filed his return of income thereby not disclosing any income for the relevant period. Therefore in order to ascertain the source of cash deposit and transaction made in commodity exchange, the assessee was provided adequate opportunity by the AO but still assessee did not cooperate and not filed any documentary evidences. Therefore assessment was completed based on “best judgment assessment” u/s 144 of the Act on the basis of information available on record.
Against the said order of assessment although the assessee preferred an appeal before Ld. CIT(A), but did not comply with the mandatory provisions of Sec. 249(4) of the Act and had not paid the amount equal to the amount of advance tax which was payable by him. Although the Ld. CIT(A) had provided sufficient opportunities but still assessee did not comply with the notices and fail to furnish any reply to the deficiency letters. Since the assessee had fail to fulfill the mandatory and essential conditions of admission of appeal before Ld. CIT(A) as per Sec. 249(4)(b) of the Act therefore the appeal filed by the assessee was dismissed as the same was found not eligible for admission.
Now even before us assessee had not appeared nor complied with the notice of hearing therefore considering the totality of the facts and the conduct of the assessee before the revenue authorities, we have no other option except to dismiss the present appeal filed by the assessee with a liberty that in case at a later stage if the assessee appears and satisfy the Tribunal that there was “sufficient cause” for his non appearance, then the Tribunal shall made an order setting aside the ex-parte order passed by it.
In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee stands dismissed.
Order pronounced in the open court on 24.07.2025 Sd/- Sd/- (GIRISH AGRAWAL) (SANDEEP GOSAIN) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Mumbai, Dated 24/07/2025 KRK, PS आदेश की �ितिलिप अ�ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : अपीलाथ� / The Appellant 1. ��थ� / The Respondent. 2. संबंिधत आयकर आयु� / The CIT(A) 3. आयकर आयु�(अपील) / Concerned CIT 4. िवभागीय �ितिनिध, आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण,मु�बई/ DR, ITAT, Mumbai 5. गाड� फाईल / Guard file. 6. आदेशानुसार/BY ORDER, स�ािपत �ित //True Copy//
उप/सहायक पंजीकार ( Asst. Registrar) आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण, मु�बई मु�बई / ITAT, Mumbai मु�बई मु�बई