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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, PUNE BENCH “A”, PUNE
Before: SHRI R.S. SYAL. & SHRI VIKAS AWASTHY, JM
आदेश / ORDER
PER VIKAS AWASTHY, JM :
These two appeals by two different assessees are directed against the order of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 2, Pune
ITA Nos.1082 & 1083/PUN/2016
confirming levy of penalty u/s 271D of the Income Tax Act, 1961
(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) for A.Y. 2011-12 in their
respective cases. Both the impugned orders are dated 04.01.2016.
Since the issues raised in both the appeals are identical and are
arising from similar set of facts, both the appeals are taken up
together for adjudication and are disposed off vide this common
order.
Shri Rohit Biyani appearing on behalf of the assessees
submitted that by way of these two appeals, assessees have assailed
ex-parte orders of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) in
confirming the levy of penalty u/s 271D of the I.T. Act. The CIT(A)
has violated the principles of natural justice by deciding the appeals
at the back of the appellants/assessees.
Shri Ashok Babu representing the Department vehemently
defended the order of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) in
confirming the levy of penalty. The ld.D.R. submitted that the CIT(A)
had issued notice of hearing of the appeals to the assessee before
adjudicating the appeals.
We have heard the submissions made by representatives of
rival sides and have perused the orders of authorities below. A
perusal of the impugned orders reveal that notice of the appeals were
sent to the assessees, however it is not emanating from the orders
whether the notices were duly served on the assessees or not. It is a
ITA Nos.1082 & 1083/PUN/2016
well settled principle of natural justice that sufficient opportunity of
hearing should be afforded to the parties and no party should be
condemned unheard. Since, both the impugned orders have been
passed in the absence of respective assessees or their Authorised
Representatives, we deem it appropriate to restore these appeals back
to the file of CIT(A). The Ld.CIT(A) shall decide the appeals of
assessees afresh after affording sufficient opportunity of hearing to
the assessees, in accordance with the law.
The assessees are also directed to appear before the CIT(A) on
receiving notice of hearing of the appeals and co-operate in the first
appellate proceedings. The impugned orders are set aside and the
appeals of the assessees are allowed for statistical purpose.
In the result, both the appeals of assessees are allowed for
statistical purposes.
Order pronounced on Tuesday, the 15th day of January, 2019.
Sd/- Sd/- (R.S. SYAL) (VIKAS AWASTHY) VICE PRESIDENT JUDICIAL MEMBER
पुणे Pune; �दनांक Dated : 15th January, 2019. Yamini
ITA Nos.1082 & 1083/PUN/2016
आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत/Copy of the Order forwarded to :
अपीलाथ� / The Appellant 2. ��यथ� / The Respondent 3. CIT(A)-2, Pune. 4. Pr. CIT-2, Pune. 5 �वभागीय ��त�न�ध, आयकर अपील�य अ�धकरण, “ए” / DR, ITAT, “A” Pune; गाड� फाईल / Guard file. 6.
आदेशानुसार/ BY ORDER
// True Copy // व�र�ठ �नजी स�चव / Sr. Private Secretary आयकर अपील�य अ�धकरण ,पुणे / ITAT, Pune.