NITIN A. SHAH,MUMBAI vs. DY CIT -CC-1(3), MUMBAI

PER OM PRAKASH KANT, AM These two appeals by the assessee are directed against two separate orders dated 28/05/2021 and 31/05/2021 passed by the Ld. Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals)-47, Mumbai [in short

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‘the Ld. CIT(A)’] for assessment year 2013 for assessment year 2013-14 and 2014 14 and 2014-15 respectively. As common issue s common issue-in-dispute are involved in both these dispute are involved in both these appeals, same were heard were heard together and disposed of together and disposed off by way of this consolidated order for convenience and avoid repetition of facts. consolidated order for convenience and avoid repetition of facts. consolidated order for convenience and avoid repetition of facts.

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substantiate the same and without appreciating the fact that the substantiate the same and without appreciating the fact that the substantiate the same and without appreciating the fact that the appellant has not earned any interest income, other than appellant has not earned any interest income, other than appellant has not earned any interest income, other than mentioned in the return of income. mentioned in the return of income. 5. The appellant craves to add, alte The appellant craves to add, alter, classify, reclassify, delete or r, classify, reclassify, delete or modify any of the above grounds of appeal and requests to modify any of the above grounds of appeal and requests to modify any of the above grounds of appeal and requests to consider each of the above grounds without prejudice to one consider each of the above grounds without prejudice to one consider each of the above grounds without prejudice to one another. another. 3. Briefly stated facts of the case are that the assessee filed stated facts of the case are that the assessee filed stated facts of the case are that the assessee filed regular return of income decla regular return of income declaring total income of ring total income of ₹7,86,930/-on 24/07/2013. Subsequently, in connection wi 24/07/2013. Subsequently, in connection with the searches carried th the searches carried out on Sh Bhanwarlal Jain, a survey action under section 133A of the Bhanwarlal Jain, a survey action under section 133A of the Bhanwarlal Jain, a survey action under section 133A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (in short , 1961 (in short ‘the Act’) was carried out on ) was carried out on 04/10/2013 by the Investi Investigation Wing in the office premises of the in the office premises of the assessee located at Panchratna, assessee located at Panchratna, Opera House, Mumbai. In the case of , Mumbai. In the case of the assessee, notice under section 153 notice under section 153A read with section 153C read with section 153C of the Act was issued by the was issued by the Assessing Officer on the ground that on the ground that incriminating documents belonging to the assessee were seized incriminating documents belonging to the assessee were seized incriminating documents belonging to the assessee were seized during the course of the search during the course of the search in the case of Sh Bhanwarlal Jain in the case of Sh Bhanwarlal Jain. The assessee filed return of income in response to notice issued for The assessee filed return of income in response to notice issued for The assessee filed return of income in response to notice issued for

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153C proceedings. The assessment was c 153C proceedings. The assessment was completed after making ompleted after making addition of interest income of addition of interest income of ₹2,60,000/- to the returned income. to the returned income. On further appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) upheld the legality of the the Ld. CIT(A) upheld the legality of the proceedings as well as addition on merit. Aggrieved proceedings as well as addition on merit. Aggrieved proceedings as well as addition on merit. Aggrieved, the assessee is before the Tribunal raising the groun raising the grounds as reproduced above. reproduced above.

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been taken by one Sh been taken by one Sh Kantilal A Shah, partner of M/s Hirok Kantilal A Shah, partner of M/s Hirok Construction. The survey team further gathered that said envelope Construction. The survey team further gathered that said envelope Construction. The survey team further gathered that said envelope contains cheque of ₹ ₹55,200/-, which was the interest on the loan , which was the interest on the loan amount of ₹20 lakh for 92 days at the rate of 12% per annum (after 20 lakh for 92 days at the rate of 12% per annum (after 20 lakh for 92 days at the rate of 12% per annum (after deducting TDS) and c deducting TDS) and cash of ₹30,666/- towards interest payment at towards interest payment at the rate of 6% on ₹20 lakh. A statement of assessee was also tatement of assessee was also recorded during survey proceeding. In said statement, the assessee recorded during survey proceeding. In said statement, the assessee recorded during survey proceeding. In said statement, the assessee admitted that he was also was also engaged in advancing loan at the rate of advancing loan at the rate of 18% out of which 12% was received in 12% was received in cheque and remaining 6% and remaining 6% was received in cash, whereas only 12% interest was recorded in was received in cash, whereas only 12% interest was recorded in was received in cash, whereas only 12% interest was recorded in books of accounts. In view of the statement books of accounts. In view of the statement in survey proceedings in survey proceedings, during assessment proceedings essment proceedings the Assessing Officer Assessing Officer asked the assessee as why the interest at e interest at the rate of 6% might not be assessed the rate of 6% might not be assessed as received in cash on the loans outstanding at the year end. The as received in cash on the loans outstanding at the year end. The as received in cash on the loans outstanding at the year end. The assessee retracted from the statement and said that statement assessee retracted from the statement and said that statement assessee retracted from the statement and said that statement during the survey was involuntary and under coercion. The during the survey was involuntary and under coercion. The during the survey was involuntary and under coercion. The Ld.

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Assessing Officer rejected the retraction of statement by the rejected the retraction of statement by the rejected the retraction of statement by the assessee holding that it was after a lapse of such a long time and in assessee holding that it was after a lapse of such a long time and in assessee holding that it was after a lapse of such a long time and in attempt to thwart efforts of the Department. attempt to thwart efforts of the Department. According to him the According to him the statement was recorded under section 131 of the statement was recorded under section 131 of the Act Act and therefore it was one of the admissible evidence. According to the one of the admissible evidence. According to the Ld. Assessing one of the admissible evidence. According to the Officer retraction was not corroborated by any other evidences and retraction was not corroborated by any other evidences and retraction was not corroborated by any other evidences and therefore it was liable for the rejection. The therefore it was liable for the rejection. The Ld. Assessing Officer Assessing Officer finally concluded as under: finally concluded as under:

“6. As discussed above that As discussed above that during the course of survey at 210 A during the course of survey at 210 A Panchratna, Opera House, on 04.10.2013, the assessee when confronted Panchratna, Opera House, on 04.10.2013, the assessee when confronted Panchratna, Opera House, on 04.10.2013, the assessee when confronted with the clinching evidences, has very categorically admitted in his with the clinching evidences, has very categorically admitted in his with the clinching evidences, has very categorically admitted in his statement that he does advance loan @ 18 % interest out of which 12 % statement that he does advance loan @ 18 % interest out of which 12 % statement that he does advance loan @ 18 % interest out of which 12 % interest is recived in cheque and the remaining 6 % is received in cash, recived in cheque and the remaining 6 % is received in cash, recived in cheque and the remaining 6 % is received in cash, but only 12 % Is recorded in the books of account. but only 12 % Is recorded in the books of account. The above admission conclusively prove that assessee in his individual The above admission conclusively prove that assessee in his individual The above admission conclusively prove that assessee in his individual capacity advances unsecured loans to various parties wherein the rate capacity advances unsecured loans to various parties wherein the rate capacity advances unsecured loans to various parties wherein the rate of interest charged is 18 % pa. However, only 12% interest income is interest charged is 18 % pa. However, only 12% interest income is interest charged is 18 % pa. However, only 12% interest income is received in cheque and the same is accounted for in the regular books of received in cheque and the same is accounted for in the regular books of received in cheque and the same is accounted for in the regular books of accounts and remaining 6% interest is received in cash and is not accounts and remaining 6% interest is received in cash and is not accounts and remaining 6% interest is received in cash and is not accounted for in the regular books of accounts whi accounted for in the regular books of accounts which requires no ch requires no further validation. further validation.

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Accordingly the difference of Interest @ 6% (18% Accordingly the difference of Interest @ 6% (18%-12%) of the interest 12%) of the interest amounting to Rs. 62000/ amounting to Rs. 62000/- being cash component of the interest received being cash component of the interest received as discussed above is brought to tax and is added back to the total as discussed above is brought to tax and is added back to the total as discussed above is brought to tax and is added back to the total income. Accordingly it is also held that inaccurate particulars of income has rdingly it is also held that inaccurate particulars of income has rdingly it is also held that inaccurate particulars of income has been filed to conceal income chargeable to tax and penalty u/s. 271(1)c) been filed to conceal income chargeable to tax and penalty u/s. 271(1)c) been filed to conceal income chargeable to tax and penalty u/s. 271(1)c) of the IT act is separately initiated for the same. of the IT act is separately initiated for the same.”

5.1 On further appeal On further appeal, the Ld. CIT(A) on the issue of merit uphe the Ld. CIT(A) on the issue of merit upheld the finding of the Assessing Officer Assessing Officer in view of the statement of the in view of the statement of the assessee during survey proceedings. The relevant finding of the Ld. assessee during survey proceedings. The relevant finding of the Ld. assessee during survey proceedings. The relevant finding of the Ld. CIT(A) is reproduced as under: CIT(A) is reproduced as under:

“14. I have considered the arguments of the assessce and facts of the 14. I have considered the arguments of the assessce and facts of the 14. I have considered the arguments of the assessce and facts of the case. It is relevant to mention over here that in his statement on oath evant to mention over here that in his statement on oath evant to mention over here that in his statement on oath u/s.133A on 3/10/13, when the assessee was asked about interest u/s.133A on 3/10/13, when the assessee was asked about interest u/s.133A on 3/10/13, when the assessee was asked about interest charged on loan given, the very clearly and categorically mentioned charged on loan given, the very clearly and categorically mentioned charged on loan given, the very clearly and categorically mentioned that he was receiving quarterly interest @ 18%; 12% by cheque and 6 that he was receiving quarterly interest @ 18%; 12% by cheque and 6 that he was receiving quarterly interest @ 18%; 12% by cheque and 6% by cash. After that statement, there was left no doubts as to the assessee by cash. After that statement, there was left no doubts as to the assessee by cash. After that statement, there was left no doubts as to the assessee was receiving interest @GX in cash over and above interest @ 12% was receiving interest @GX in cash over and above interest @ 12% was receiving interest @GX in cash over and above interest @ 12% through cheque. Further, cash portion of interest was no where through cheque. Further, cash portion of interest was no where through cheque. Further, cash portion of interest was no where disclosed by the assessee in the books of accounts disclosed by the assessee in the books of accounts or the return. or the return. Therefore, the Assessing Officer was justified in adding a sum of Therefore, the Assessing Officer was justified in adding a sum of Therefore, the Assessing Officer was justified in adding a sum of Rs.62,000/- additional interest income in the hands of the assessee being additional interest income in the hands of the assessee being additional interest income in the hands of the assessee being cash component of interest @ 6% on loan amount. cash component of interest @ 6% on loan amount.

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empower any ITO to examine any person on oath and so statement empower any ITO to examine any person on oath and so statement empower any ITO to examine any person on oath and so statement recorded under section recorded under section 133A does not have any evidencing 133A does not have any evidencing of value and any admission made during such a statement cannot be made ny admission made during such a statement cannot be made ny admission made during such a statement cannot be made basis for addition. The relevant part of the decision of the Hon’ble basis for addition. The relevant part of the decision of the Hon’ble basis for addition. The relevant part of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court is reproduced as under: Supreme Court is reproduced as under:

“In the instant case, there was a survey operation conducted under In the instant case, there was a survey operation conducted under In the instant case, there was a survey operation conducted under Section 133A of the Act in the assessee's premises and a statement was of the Act in the assessee's premises and a statement was of the Act in the assessee's premises and a statement was recorded from one of the partner. Assuming there were discrepancies recorded from one of the partner. Assuming there were discrepancies recorded from one of the partner. Assuming there were discrepancies and irregularities in the books of accounts maintained by the assessee, and irregularities in the books of accounts maintained by the assessee, and irregularities in the books of accounts maintained by the assessee, an offer of additio an offer of additional income for the respective assessment years was nal income for the respective assessment years was made by the parnter of the firm. But, such statement, in view of the made by the parnter of the firm. But, such statement, in view of the made by the parnter of the firm. But, such statement, in view of the scope and ambit of the materials collected during the course of survey scope and ambit of the materials collected during the course of survey scope and ambit of the materials collected during the course of survey action under action under Section 133A shall not have any evidentiary value, as shall not have any evidentiary value, as rightly held by the Commissioner and the Tribunal, since such statement rightly held by the Commissioner and the Tribunal, since such statement rightly held by the Commissioner and the Tribunal, since such statement was not attached to the provisions of was not attached to the provisions of Section 133A of the Act. It could of the Act. It could not be said solely on the basis of the statement given by one of the said solely on the basis of the statement given by one of the said solely on the basis of the statement given by one of the partner of the assessee partner of the assessee-firm that the disclosed income was assessable as firm that the disclosed income was assessable as lawful income of the assessee. Since there was no material on record to lawful income of the assessee. Since there was no material on record to lawful income of the assessee. Since there was no material on record to prove the existence of such disclosed income or e prove the existence of such disclosed income or earning of such income arning of such income in the hands of the assessee, it could not be said that the Revenue had in the hands of the assessee, it could not be said that the Revenue had in the hands of the assessee, it could not be said that the Revenue had lost lawful tax payable by the assessee. lost lawful tax payable by the assessee.”

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5.3 We find that there is no other evidence on record except the We find that there is no other evidence on record except the We find that there is no other evidence on record except the statement of the assessee recorded during statement of the assessee recorded during survey survey proceedings, which has already been which has already been retracted by the assessee.

5.4 In view of above facts and circumstances, the action of the Ld. In view of above facts and circumstances, the action of the Ld. In view of above facts and circumstances, the action of the Ld. CIT(A) in sustaining the addition made by the CIT(A) in sustaining the addition made by the Assessing Officer Assessing Officer is not justified and we accordingly not justified and we accordingly set aside the said finding of the said finding of the Ld. CIT(A). The ground No. 4 of the appeal is accordingly allowed. The ground No. 4 of the appeal is accordingly allowed. The ground No. 4 of the appeal is accordingly allowed.

5.5 Since we have allowed the ground of the assessee on merit of Since we have allowed the ground of the assessee on merit of Since we have allowed the ground of the assessee on merit of the addition and therefore we are not adjudicating upon legality of the addition and therefore we are not adjudicating upon legality of the addition and therefore we are not adjudicating upon legality of the assessment proceedings challenged. the assessment proceedings challenged. The other gro The other grounds of appeal are rendered as academic only and dismissed as infructuous. rendered as academic only and dismissed as infructuous. rendered as academic only and dismissed as infructuous.

5.6 In the appeal for assessment year 2014 In the appeal for assessment year 2014-15 identical issue of 15 identical issue of addition of interest amounting to addition of interest amounting to ₹1,59,708/- has been raised by the has been raised by the assessee. The Ld. CIT(A) has also decided identical to his finding in assessee. The Ld. CIT(A) has also decided identical to his finding in assessee. The Ld. CIT(A) has also decided identical to his finding in assessment year 2013 assessment year 2013-14. The basis of sustaining addition in the 14. The basis of sustaining addition in the

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year under consideration is also statement of the assessee year under consideration is also statement of the assessee year under consideration is also statement of the assessee during survey proceedings i.e. s survey proceedings i.e. same basis which is in assessment year me basis which is in assessment year 2013-14. Since we have already allowed the appeal of the assessee 14. Since we have already allowed the appeal of the assessee 14. Since we have already allowed the appeal of the assessee for assessment year 2013-14, to have consistency in our decision, 14, to have consistency in our decision, the grounds raised in in assessment year 2014-15 challenging merit of 15 challenging merit of the addition are allowed. owed.