Facts
The assessee's appeal was dismissed ex-parte by the CIT(A) for non-compliance with statutory notices, confirming an addition of Rs. 26,29,333/-. The assessee's counsel attributed the non-compliance to personal engagements and assured full compliance going forward.
Held
The Tribunal set aside the CIT(A)'s order, remitting the matter back for fresh adjudication. The assessee was granted one last opportunity to be heard, with a warning that future non-compliance would be viewed adversely.
Key Issues
Whether the assessee should be granted another opportunity after ex-parte dismissal by CIT(A) due to non-compliance with statutory notices.
Sections Cited
143(3), 54F
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘D’ BENCH: CHENNAI
Before: SHRI ABY T VARKEY & SHRI AMITABH SHUKLA
Assessment Years: 2018-19 Aruljothi Saraswathi, Income Tax Officer, No.146, Sanarmedu Lakkapuram, Ward-2(1), Erode, Erode. Tamil Nadu-638 002. [PAN: HHCPS4982M] (अपीलार्थी/Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/Respondent) अपीलार्थी की ओर से/ Assessee by : Shri N.C.Ravikrishnan, Advocate(virtual) प्रत्यर्थी की ओर से /Revenue by : Ms.Gautham S.Mukundan, IRS सुनवाई की तारीख/Date of Hearing : 04.06.2025 घोषणा की तारीख /Date of Pronouncement : 11.06.2025 आदेश / O R D E R PER AMITABH SHUKLA, A.M :
This appeal is filed by the assessee against the order bearing DIN & Order No.ITBA / NFAC / S / 250 / 2024-25 / 1072465592(1) dated 23.01.2025 of the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax [herein after “CIT(A), National Faceless Appeal Center[NFAC], Delhi, for the assessment year 2018-19. The reference to the word “Act” in this order hereinafter shall mean the Income Tax Act, 1961 as amended from time to time.
2.0 At the outset the Ld. Counsel for the assesse informed that the Ld. First Appellate Authority has passed an ex-parte order thereby confirming the assessment order u/s 143(3) dated 02.03.2021 and that the appeal was dismissed for non-compliance to statutory notices. It was pleaded that the non-compliance of the assesse was attributable to pressing personal engagements and was not intentional. The Ld. Counsel for the assesse pleaded for setting aside the case to Ld.CIT(A) and personally assured that full compliance would now be made to the statutory notices of the Ld. CIT(A). 3.0 Per Contra, the Ld. DR relied upon the order of lower authorities. 4.0 We have heard rival submissions in the light of material available on records. We have noted that the Ld.First Appellate Authority gave due opportunities to the assessee and in response the appellant merely ask for adjournments. Considering the repeated non-compliance the Ld.CIT(A) proceeded to confirm the addition of Rs.26,29,333/- made by the Ld.AO u/s 54F of the Act. We have also noted that apart from dismissing the appeal of the assessee on account of non-compliance to his statutory notices, the Ld.CIT(A) has not touched upon the merits of the case. Before us, the Ld.Counsel has personally assured that full compliances will now be made. Be that as it may be, we are of the considered view that ends of justice would be met if the assessee is given one last opportunity matter is remitted back to the file of Ld.CIT(A) for Page - 2 - of 3 fresh adjudication. Accordingly, we set aside the order of Ld.CIT(A) and direct him to readjudicate the appeal de novo after giving due opportunity of being heard and by passing a speaking order. It shall be bounden upon the assessee to comply with the statutory notices and any non- compliance would be adversely viewed. Accordingly, all the grounds of appeal raised by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes. 6.0 In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced on 11th , June-2025 at Chennai. Sd/- Sd/- (एबी टी. वर्की) (अधमताभ शुक्ला) (ABY T VARKEY) (AMITABH SHUKLA) न्याधयक सदस्य / Judicial Member लेखा सदस्य /Accountant Member चेन्नई/Chennai, धदनांक/Dated: 11th , June-2025. KB/- आदेश की प्रतितिति अग्रेतिि/Copy to: 1. अिीिार्थी/Appellant 2. प्रत्यर्थी/Respondent 3. आयकर आयुक्त/CIT - Coimbatore 4. तिभागीय प्रतितिति/DR 5. गार्ड फाईि/GF
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