RAJIV RAMESHKUMAR SAWHNEY,MUMBAI vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 10(1)(4), MUMBAI, MUMBAI
In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal noted that both the lower authorities had passed ex-parte orders. The assessee provided an affidavit explaining the delay and the circumstances leading to the non-compliance with notices, including severe mental distress and financial challenges due to the company's liquidation and the departure of employees. The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) had dismissed the appeal in limine for non-compliance. In the interest of justice and fair play, the Tribunal deemed it fit to restore the issue to the file of the Assessing Officer (AO). The assessee is directed to furnish necessary details, and the AO is directed to verify these details and decide the issue afresh after affording a reasonable and adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee. The Tribunal did not decide the merits of the additions made by the AO or confirmed by the CIT(A).
What were the facts?
The assessee, Rajiv Rameshkumar Sawhney, filed an appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai, against an order dated 19/09/2023 passed by the NFAC, Delhi (referred to as the learned CIT(A)). The appeal pertains to Assessment Year 2017-18. There was a delay in filing the appeal, which the assessee sought to condone, citing mental distress and financial challenges due to the liquidation of M/s. Pik Pen Pvt. Ltd., where he is a director. This led to employees handling tax matters leaving without informing him of revenue notices. The lower authorities, including the Assessing Officer (AO) and the CIT(A), had passed ex-parte orders.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in passing an ex-parte order without granting sufficient opportunity of being heard to the appellant, as per principles of natural justice? 2. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's action of passing an assessment order under Section 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, without considering the facts and circumstances of the case? 3. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's addition of Rs. 27,15,000/- under Section 69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, by treating cash deposits in the bank as unexplained income? 4. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's addition of Rs. 1,30,25,226/- under Section 69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, by considering the entire bank account credit as unexplained income? 5. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's addition of Rs. 1,90,00,000/- by treating the entire sale consideration of immovable property as long-term capital gain? 6. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's action of considering the cost of acquisition of the property as Nil, without assigning indexed cost for computing correct LTCG? 7. Whether the Learned CIT(A) erred in confirming the AO's addition of Rs. 14,08,840/- under Section 69C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as unexplained expenditure? Assessee's Contentions: The Learned CIT(A) erred in passing ex-parte orders without providing sufficient opportunity to be heard. The AO's assessment order under Section 144 and subsequent additions under Sections 69A, 69C, and regarding long-term capital gains were made without proper consideration of facts. The cost of acquisition was wrongly treated as Nil. Revenue's Contentions: Not recorded in the judgment.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “D” BENCH, MUMBAI
Before: SHRI SAKTIJIT DEY, HONBLE & SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR BILLAIYA, HONBLE
PER NARENDRA KUMAR BILLAIYA, AM: This appeal by the assessee is preferred against the order dated 19/09/2023 by NFAC, Delhi [hereinafter “the ld. CIT(A)"] pertaining to AY 2017-18. 2. The grievance of the assessee read as under:- "
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in passing the ex-parte order, without granting sufficient opportunity of being heard to the appellant.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in Law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the Learned Assessing Officer in passing the assessment order u/s.144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the Learned Assessing Officer in making an addition of Rs.27,15,000/- u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, by treating the cash deposits in bank as alleged unexplained income of the appellant without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the Learned Assessing Officer in making an addition of Rs.1,30,25,226/-u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 by considering the entire credit in the bank account as alleged unexplained income of the appellant, without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the Learned Assessing Officer in making an addition of Rs.1,90,00,000/- by treating the entire sale consideration on sale of immovable property as alleged long term capital gain, without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the Learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the Learned Assessing Officer in considering the cost of acquisition of the said property as Nil on his own surmises and conjectures and not assigning the adequate indexed cost to compute the correct LTCG, without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
On the facts and circumstances of the case as well as in law, the learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the action of the learned Assessing Officer in making an addition of Rs.14,08,840/- u/s 69C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as alleged unexplained expenditure without considering the facts and circumstances of the case.
The appellant craves leave to add, amend, alter or delete the said ground of appeal." There is delay in filing the appeal. The assessee has requested for condonation of delay stating the facts supported by an affidavit. We have carefully considered the contents of the affidavit and are convinced that the assessee was prevented by reasonable and sufficient cause for not filing the appeal on time. Delay is condoned.
After carefully perusing the orders of the authorities below, we find that both the lower authorities have framed their respective orders ex- parte. We find from the affidavit that the assessee was facing severe mental distress and financial challenges since the company where he is a director, M/s. Pik Pen Pvt. Ltd., is continuously suffering loss due to which the company has gone into liquidation process because of which the employees who were looking after the tax matter of the assessee company left the company without informing the assessee about the notices issued by the revenue authorities.
We find that the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed the appeal in limine for non-compliance of the notices. In the interest of justice and fairplay, we deem it fit to restore the issue to the file of the AO. The assessee is directed to furnish necessary details and the AO is directed to verify the same and decide the issue afresh after affording reasonable and adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee.
In the result, appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the Court on 7th May, 2025 at Mumbai. (SAKTIJIT DEY) VICE-PRESIDENT Mumbai, Dated 07/05/2025 आदेश की प्रतिलिपि ग्रेषित/
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