Facts
The assessee had declared an income of Rs. 3,41,330/- for AY 2017-18. The Assessing Officer (AO) reopened the case based on information of cash deposits of Rs. 17,86,400/-. The assessee failed to provide any compliance or explanation regarding the source of these deposits, leading the AO to make an addition of Rs. 17,86,400/- and complete the assessment ex-parte. The CIT(A) also dismissed the appeal ex-parte.
Held
The Tribunal acknowledged the assessee's failure to comply with notices from both the AO and CIT(A) without providing valid reasons. However, considering the request for another opportunity, the Tribunal decided to set aside the matter to the CIT(A) for fresh adjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) was justified in dismissing the appeal ex-parte without examining the merits, and whether the assessee should be granted another opportunity to explain the source of cash deposits, subject to payment of cost.
Sections Cited
147, 144B, 148, 69A
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “SMC” BENCH, AHMEDABAD
Before: SHRI SANJAY GARG & SHRI NARENDRA PRASAD SINHA
PER NARENDRA PRASAD SINHA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER:
This appeal is filed by the assessee against the order of National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi [hereinafter referred to as ‘CIT(A)’] dated 14.01.2026 for the Assessment Year (A.Y.) 2017-18 in the proceeding u/s 147 r.w.s. 144B of the Income Tax Act.
The brief facts of the case are that the assessee had filed return of income for A.Y. 2017-18 on 30.10.2017 declaring income of Rs.3,41,330/- . On the basis of information that the assessee had made cash deposits
ITA No.434/Ahd/2026 Umemaben Najmuddin Bodeliwala Vs ITO. AY- 2017-18 2 of Rs.17,86,400/- in the bank account with Janta Co-operative Bank Ltd., the case of the assessee was re-opened by issue of notice u/s. 148 of the Act on 24.02.2021. In the course of assessment no compliance was made by the assessee and the source of cash deposits was not explained. The AO had, therefore, completed the assessment ex-parte u/s. 147 r.w.s. 144B of the Act on 17.05.2023 at total income of rs.21,27,700/-, wherein addition of Rs. 17,86,400/- was made on account of unexplained cash deposits in the bank account.
Aggrieved with the order of the AO, the assessee had filed an appeal before the first appellate authority, which was decided by the learned CIT(A) vide the impugned order and the appeal of the assessee was dismissed. Th
Now the assessee is in second appeal before us. The following grounds have been taken in this appeal:
Erred in dismissing appeal as an ex-parte. 2 Erred-in-law in confirming addition of Rs. 17,86,400/- as unexplained income u/s. 69A of the Act. 3 The appellant craves leave to add, amend, alter, edit, delete, modify or change all or any of the grounds of appeal at the time of or before the hearing of the appeal.
Ms. Urvashi Sodhan, the Ld. AR of the assessee submitted that no compliance could be made before the Ld. CIT(A). Therefore, the Ld. CIT(A) had dismissed the appeal of the assessee without examining the matter on merits. The Ld. AR requested that the assessee may be allowed
ITA No.434/Ahd/2026 Umemaben Najmuddin Bodeliwala Vs ITO. AY- 2017-18 3 another opportunity to explain the source of cash deposits by setting aside the matter to the file of Ld. CIT(A).
Per Contra, Smt. Ananya Kulshresth, the Ld. Sr. DR had no objection if the matter was set aside to the file of Ld. CIT(A) for allowing another opportunity to the assessee.
We have considered the request of the assessee. It is found that the AO had allowed 5 opportunities to the assessee but no compliance was made on any of the dates and the source of cash deposits was not explained. The Ld. CIT(A) also had allowed 4 opportunities to the assessee but no compliance was made, apart from seeking adjournment on two occasions. The assessee has not explained the reason for non- compliance before the AO as well as before the Ld. CIT(A). We, therefore, deem it proper to impose a cost of Rs. 5,000/- on the assessee which should be deposited to Prime Minister National Relief fund, within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this order. Subject to the payment of cost, the Ld. CIT(A) is directed to allow one more opportunity to the assessee to explain the source of cash deposits made in the bank account. The assessee is also directed to make compliance before the Ld. CIT(A) in the course of set aside proceeding and produce the evidences/documents for the source of cash deposits and also any other detail/clarification as required by him. The Ld. CIT(A) may call for a remand report of the AO on the additional evidences filed before him. In case the assessee does not make compliance in the course of set aside proceeding, the Ld. CIT(A) will have liberty to pass order on merits, on the basis of materials available on record.
ITA No.434/Ahd/2026 Umemaben Najmuddin Bodeliwala Vs ITO. AY- 2017-18 4
In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the Court on 21/04/2026 at Ahmedabad.
Sd/- Sd/- (SAJAY GARG) (NARENDRA PRASAD SINHA) Judicial Member Accountant Member Dated – 21st April, 2026 Neelesh, Sr. PS (True Copy) आदेश क� आदेश क� �ितिलिप �ितिलिप अ�ेिषत अ�ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : आदेश आदेश क� क� �ितिलिप �ितिलिप अ�ेिषत अ�ेिषत 1. अपीलाथ� / The Appellant 2. ��यथ� / The Respondent. 3. संबंिधत आयकर आयु� / Concerned CIT 4. आयकर आयु�(अपील) / The CIT(A) 5. िवभागीय �ितिनिध, आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण / DR, ITAT, 6. गाड� फाईल /Guard file. आदेशानुसार/BY ORDER, आदेशानुसार आदेशानुसार आदेशानुसार पंजीकार (Dy./Asstt.Registrar) उप/सहायक उप सहायक पंजीकार उप उप सहायक सहायक पंजीकार पंजीकार आयकर अपीलीय आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण अिधकरण, अहमदाबाद अहमदाबाद / ITAT, Ahmedabad आयकर आयकर अपीलीय अपीलीय अिधकरण अिधकरण अहमदाबाद अहमदाबाद