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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, INDORE BENCHE, INDORE
Before: SHRI KUL BHARAT & SHRI MANISH BORAD
आदेश / O R D E R
PER MANISH BORAD, A.M: These two appeals by the same assessee pertaining to the A.Y.
2008-09 out of which ITA No. 306/Ind/2016 relates to quantum
addition and is directed against the order of the CIT(A)-II, Indore,
dated 29.1.2016 which is arising out of the order u/s 143(3) of the
Act dated 29.10.2010 framed by the ITO 5(2), Indore. The second
appeal i.e. ITA No. 313/Ind/2016 relates to penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of
the act and is directed against the order of the learned CIT(A) dated
29.1.2016 against the penalty order framed on 27.4.2011 by the
ITO 5(2), Indore.
Briefly stated, the facts, as culled out from record, are that the
assesseen is an Individual and his main source of income is from
interest. The return of income filed on 8.9.2008 declaring income at
Rs.1,11,960/-. The case picked up through CASS. Notice u/s
143(2) of the Act duly served on the assessee. In the course of
assessment proceedings the Assessing Officer observed that the
assessee made deposits of Rs. 9,50,000/- (i.e. Rs. 6,50,000/- on
13.7.2007 and Rs. 3 lacs on 27.3.2008) with State Bank of Indore.
Necessary details, as called for, were not supplied by the assessee
and the Assessing Officer accordingly made the addition of
Rs.9,50,000/- u/s 69 of the Act towards unexplained investments.
Aggrieved, the assessee preferred appeal before the CIT(A) against
the impugned additions. However, the appeal was time barred by 32
months. The CIT(A) even though discussed the facts of the case but
finally dismissed the appeal for being barred and did not admit it
for adjudication.
However, penalty proceedings u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act were
initiated before the assessee could appeal before the CIT(A) and the
assessee remained non-compliant during the penalty proceedings
and accordingly penalty of Rs. 3,02,980/- was imposed under
section 271(1)(c) of the Act.
The appeal by the assessee before the CIT(A) against penalty
imposed u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act did not find favour from the CIT(A).
Now, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal against
quantum addition, delay not condoned by the CIT(A) as well as
penalty sustained by the CIT(A).
We will first take up ITA No. 306/Ind/2016 relating to
quantum addition. The learned counsel for the assessee submitted
that the delay in filing the appeal before the CIT(A) arose due to
wrong advice given by the counsel of the assessee, Shri K.K. Sarda,
and reference was made to page 5 of the paper book showing the
certificate given by Shri K.K. sarda admitting that he advised the
assessee for not filing the appeal.
On the other hand, the learned DR supported the orders of
the authorities below.
We have heard the rival contentions and perused the record
placed before us. In the instant appeal the assessee has challenged
the addition of Rs.9,50,000/- sustained by the CIT(A). From a
perusal of the findings of the learned CIT(A) we observe that the
appeal of the assessee was dismissed by the CIT(A) for delay in filing
the same which was around 32 months. It was pleaded by the
learned counsel for the assessee before us as well as before the
CIT(A) that the assessee could not file the appeal due to wrong
advice given by the counsel, Shri K.K. sarda. From perusal of the
certificate placed at page 5 of the paper book issued by Shri K.K.
Sarda wherein he has mentioned “That the facts of the case of Shri
Shailendra Bansal relating to assessment year 2008-09 (F.Y. 2007-
08) appeared to me not favourable and as such I advised him for not
filing the appeal”. The alleged advice of the CA seems to have
restrained the assessee from filing the appeal. It is well evident that
for the purpose of taxation, the assessee has to take
consultancy/guidance from the tax experts who are mainly
CAs/advocates of tax practitioners. It is not possible for the
assessee to be well-verse with taxation laws and to decide on critical
issues such as filing of appeal, etc. Even though the reason for the
alleged delay in filing the appeal before the CIT(A) is not so
enterprising, but still looking to the factual aspect of the case as
well as the interest of justice, the assessee deserves one more
opportunity of being heard. Further, from perusal of the order of the
CIT(A) we find that the facts of the alleged cash deposits, alleged
link of source of cash deposit with the cash withdrawn from the
mother’s account and also non-availability of any evidence in
support of the source of cash have been duly discussed in the body
of the order of the CIT(A) but there is no concrete finding on merits
and the appeal has been dismissed due to delay in filing the appeal.
We, therefore, in the given facts and circumstances of the case,
condone the delay in filing the appeal before the CIT(A) and direct
him to admit the same for fresh adjudication with the direction to
decide the issues raised in the instant appeal after affording proper
opportunity of being heard to the assessee.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.
306/Ind/2016 is allowed for statistical purposes.
Apropos ITA No. 313/Ind/2016 wherein the assessee has
challenged the order of the CIT(A) confirming the penalty u/s
271(1)(c) of the Act, we are of the view that as we have set aside the
issue of quantum addition to the file of the CIT(A) and the outcome
of the order of the CIT(A) will be the basis to decide as to whether
the penalty is leviable u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act or not, we set aside
the issue of penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act also to the file of the
CIT(A) being consequential to the quantum issue, for deciding the
same afresh after affording reasonable opportunity of being heard to
the assessee.
In the result, ITA No. 313/Ind/2016 is allowed for statistical
purposes.
Finally, both the appeals of the assessee are allowed for
statistical purposes.
Order was pronounced in the open court on 15.2.2018.
sd sd (KUL BHARAT) (MANISH BORAD) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
Indore; �दनांक Dated : 15/02/2018
Dn/-
Copy to: Assessee/AO/Pr. CIT/ CIT (A)/ITAT (DR)/Guard file. Dn/- By order
Private Secretary/DDO, Indore
Date of dictation : 8.2.2018 2. Date on which the typed draft is placed before the Dictating Member : 9.2.2018 3. Date on which approved draft comes to the Sr.P.S./P.S: 10.1.2018 4. Date on which the fair order is placed before the dictating Member for pronouncement: 5. Date on which the fair order comes back to the Sr.P.S./P.S.: 6. Date on which the file goes to the Bench Clerk: 7. Date on which the file goes to the Head Clerk: 8. The date on which the file goes to the Assisstant Registrar for signature of the order. 9. Date of Despatch of the Order: