Facts
The assessee filed two appeals against the orders of the CIT(E) denying exemption under section 12A and approval under section 80G. The assessee contended that the CIT(E) passed a unilateral conclusion without affording an opportunity of being heard, violating principles of natural justice.
Held
The Tribunal found that the CIT(E) had not provided sufficient opportunity for the assessee to be heard and had drawn conclusions without confronting the assessee. Therefore, the matter was remitted back to the CIT(E) for readjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(E) violated principles of natural justice by passing a non-speaking order without providing an opportunity of being heard to the assessee? Whether the denial of exemption/approval was justified on merits?
Sections Cited
12A, 80G
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘A’ BENCH: CHENNAI
Before: HON’BLE SHRI MANU KUMAR GIRI & HON’BLE SHRI AMITABH SHUKLA
सुनवाई की तारीख/Date of Hearing : 12.08.2025 घोषणा की तारीख /Date of Pronouncement : 13.08.2025 आदेश / O R D E R PER AMITABH SHUKLA, A.M :
The below mentioned two appeals have been filed by the appellant assessee contesting the order of Ld. CIT(E ) indicated Column-E, herein below:-
S. Appeal AYs Appellant CIT(A) Order Details Respondent No. Nos. A B C D E F DIN & Order No. ITBA / Samachar Manyata EXM / F / EXM45 / 2024-25 The Association for / 1071655725(1) dated 1 - / Chny / Commissioner Research & 28.12.2024 2025 of Income Tax Training, (Exemptions), Chennai-600 008. DIN & Order No. ITBA / Chennai. [PAN: EXM / F / EXM45 / 2024-25 ABFCS2266P] 2 - / Chny / / 1071655814(1) dated 2025 28.12.2024 2.0 Both the above appeals of the assessee are centering around the common ground of denial of exemption u/s. 12A and section 80G and hence for the purposes of convenience were heard together and are being adjudicated by this common order. For the purposes of convenience we will consider the appeal of the assessee in ITA 386/Chny/2025 qua denial of exemption u/s 12A. As the facts are identical the decision therein shall apply mutatis mutandis to as well. 3.0 At the outset the Ld.Counsel for the assessee submitted that there has been violation of principles of natural justice in this case in as much as the Ld.CIT(E ) has drawn unilateral conclusion without affording the assessee an opportunity of being heard. It was accordingly requested that matter may be considered for remission back to the Ld.CIT(E) for readjudication after affording the assessee an opportunity of being heard. 4.0 Per contra, the Ld.DR relied upon the order of Ld.CIT(E ). 5.0 We have heard the rival submissions in the light of material available on records. We find considerable force in the averments of the appellant assessee. We have also noted a case of apparent non- application of mind and passing of a non-speaking order by the Ld.CIT(E). We have noted that on page 7 of the order he has reproduced some fund flow analysis from which he has drawn adverse Page - 2 - of 5 conclusions. The impugned extraction of fund flow analysis is beyond any comprehension as it cannot be read and understood. The conclusion drawn on page 9 that the assessee had received donations and spending it on ineligible manufacturing and project expenses is thus unwarranted and unfounded. Even the Ld.DR expressed her inability to explain us the contents of the extraction done on page 7 of the order. We have noted on page 9 of the order that the Ld.CIT(E ) has alleged that the appellant assessee has failed to satisfy him qua compliance to the judicial ratio laid down by Hon’ble Gujarat High Court in case of Ahmadabad Rana Caste Association and failed to provide credible evidence of general public utility services performed by it. The fact of the matter remains that there is nothing on record to indicate that the appellant assessee was ever asked by way of any show cause notice to submit the impugned details. The Ld CIT( E) is within his legal rights to raise queries as per his discretion but he is not authorized to draw unilateral conclusions without confronting the same to assessee. The allegation of appellant assessee of violation of principles of natural justice in this case in as much as the Ld.CIT(E ) has drawn unilateral conclusion without affording the assessee an opportunity of being heard thus stands established. Accordingly, in the interest of justice, we deem it appropriate to remit the file to the Ld.CIT(E ) for readjudication of the matter afresh after due opportunity of being heard and by passing a Page - 3 - of 5 speaking order, in accordance with law. It shall be bounden upon the assessee to comply with statutory notices and any non-compliance shall be adversely viewed. Accordingly, all the grounds raised by the assessee in the are allowed for statistical purposes. 6.0 In the result the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.386/Chny/2025 is allowed for statistical purposes. 7.0 It has been noted that the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.387/Chny/2025 is identical on facts except for the fact that it pertains to denial of approval u/s 80G. Accordingly, the decision taken in ITA No.386/Chny/2025 shall apply mutatis mutandis. 8.0 In the result the appeal of the assessee in ITA No.387/Chny/2025 is also allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced on 13th , Aug-2025 at Chennai. Sd/- Sd/- (मनु कुमार धिरर) (अधमताभ शुक्ला) (MANU KUMAR GIRI) (AMITABH SHUKLA) न्याधयक सदस्य / Judicial Member लेखा सदस्य /Accountant Member चेन्नई/Chennai, धदनांक/Dated: , Aug-2025. KB/- आदेश की प्रतितिति अग्रेतिि/Copy to: 1. अिीिार्थी/Appellant 2. प्रत्यर्थी/Respondent 3. आयकर आयुक्त/CIT - Chennai/Coimbatore/Madurai/Salem.
Page - 4 - of 5 & 387 /Chny/2025 4. तिभागीय प्रतितिति/DR 5. गार्ड फाईि/GF
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