DBH INTERNATIONAL PVT LTD,GURGAON vs. ACIT CIRCLE-7(2), NEW DELHI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) had provided multiple opportunities for hearing, but the assessee was not serious in attending the proceedings. However, in the interest of natural justice, the Tribunal set aside the CIT(A)'s order and restored it to the file of the CIT(A) for a fresh decision after giving sufficient opportunity to the assessee.
What were the facts?
The assessee appealed against the CIT(A)'s order for AY 2016-17. The assessee contended that they were not given an adequate opportunity to be heard by the CIT(A), violating principles of natural justice. The CIT(A) had confirmed a disallowance of Rs. 2,02,61,728/- under Section 37(1) of the Act.
What were the issues?
Whether the assessee was denied natural justice by the CIT(A) and whether the disallowance under Section 37(1) was justified.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI “SMC-2” BENCH: NEW DELHI
Before: SHRI KUL BHARAT
ORDER PER KUL BHARAT, JM :
This appeal filed by the assessee for the assessment year 2016-17 is directed against the order of Ld. CIT(A), Delhi dated 23.10.2019.
The assessee has raised following grounds of appeal:-
1. “On the facts and circumstances of the case, the order passed by the learned Commissioner of Appeals ["CIT(A)"] is bad both in the eye of law and on facts.
2. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the learned CIT(A) has erred, both on facts & in law, in passing the order without giving the assessee an adequate and proper opportunity of being heard in violation of principle of natural justice. 3. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the ld. CIT(A) has erred both on facts and in law in confirming the actions of the AO in making a disallowance of Rs.2,02,61,728/- under Sec 37(1) of the Act, since a. The AO has erred in assuming that there has been no business activity during the year. b. The AO has failed to understand the nature of these expenditures and their commercial expediencies. c. The AO has erred in ignoring the details, documents and replies furnished by the assessee and by completing the proceedings by applying personal whims and fancies.
4. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the learned AO has erred both on facts and in law in charging interest under Section 234A, 234B and 234C of the Act.
5. The appellant craves leave to add, amend or alter any of the grounds of appeal.”
2. At the outset, Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that the assessee was not afforded sufficient opportunity to represent its case by Ld.CIT(A). He submitted that in the interest of principle of natural justice, opportunity may be given to the assessee to represent his case before Ld.CIT(A). He further undertook that no adjournment would be sought without a reasonable cause.
3. Per contra, Ld. Sr. DR vehemently opposed these submissions and supported the order of Ld.CIT(A). Ld. Sr. DR submitted that the assessee has been thoroughly negligent and no inference is called for, under the facts and circumstances of the present case.
4. I have heard the rival contentions and perused the material available on record and gone through the orders of the authorities below. I find that Ld.CIT(A) in para 4, has provided various opportunities to the assessee, stated as under:- Page | 2
4. “In order to give proper opportunity to the appellant to present its case, the case was posted for hearing on various dates, the details of which are as under:-
Date of Notice Date of hearing fixed Status 04.07.2019 29.07.2019 Notice sent through speed post & e-mail. On 29.07.2019, on request of the AR, the case was adjourned to 02.09.2019. On 02.09.2019, there was no compliance. 05.09.2019 22.10.2019 No compliance. Notice sent through speed post & e-mail.
This demonstrates that the assessee was not serious in attending the proceedings. However, considering the interest of principle of natural justice, I deem it proper to set aside the impugned order and restore the same to the file of Ld.CIT(A) to decide it afresh after giving sufficient opportunity to the assessee. Thus, grounds raised by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
Above decision was pronounced on conclusion of Virtual Hearing in the presence of both the parties on 09th November, 2021.
More judgments on Section 37(1)
- Gillette India Limited, Mumbai vs Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, JaipurITA 1316/JPR/2026[2018-19]Status: Disposed16 Oct 2026AY 2018-19
- Smit Navnitlal Soni, Ahmedabad, Gujarat vs ITO Ward-5(3)(1), Ahmedabad, GujaratITA 1434/AHD/2026[2021-22]Status: Disposed16 Oct 2026AY 2021-22
- Shobha Sudamrao Tagad, Ahmednagar vs ITO WD-1, AhmednagarITA 311/PUN/2026[2023-24]Status: Disposed13 Oct 2026AY 2023-24
- Digjam Limited, Jamnagar vs The Principal Commissioner of Income Tax…ITA 349/RJT/2025[2021-22]Status: Disposed12 Oct 2026AY 2021-22
- Rajesh Maru, Mhow vs ITO-5(1), IndoreITA 839/IND/2025[2023-2024]Status: Disposed12 Oct 2026AY 2023-2024
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- M/S Surya Prakash Aroma vs. State Of Uttar Pradesh And 2 OthersAllahabad · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S Govindjee Dairy Milk Private Limited vs. Central Goods And Services TaxRajasthan · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S. V J Petro Products vs. The Deputy Assistant Commissioner (St) - IiiAndhra Pradesh · 27 Oct 2026
- M/S Asian Aura vs. Government Of Nct Of Delhi And Ors.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026
- Shining Steel Through Its Proprietor Kartik Gupta vs. Union Of INDIA & Ors.Delhi · 27 Oct 2026