Facts
The assessment for AY 2015-16 was framed under Sections 147, 144, and 144B. The CIT(A) dismissed the assessee's appeal ex-parte due to the assessee's non-appearance and failure to submit objections to the remand report. The assessee also did not appear before the Tribunal.
Held
The Tribunal, in the interest of justice, decided to provide the assessee with another opportunity. The appeal is set aside to the CIT(A) for de novo adjudication, ensuring the assessee receives a proper hearing to present all relevant evidence.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A)'s ex-parte dismissal for non-compliance was justified, and if the assessee deserved another opportunity for a proper hearing on merits.
Sections Cited
147, 144, 144B
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘B’ BENCH, CHENNAI
Before: HON’BLE SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL & HON’BLE SHRI MANU KUMAR GIRI
(िनधा�रणवष� / Assessment Year: 2015-2016) P.G. Mohankumar, Vs. The Income Tax Officer, 4/68, Pilliar Koil Street, Ward 1, Panjetty Village, Thiruvallur. Ponneri Taluk, Tiruvellore 601 204. [PAN: ASGPM 5871K] (अपीलाथ�/Appellant) (��यथ�/Respondent) अपीलाथ� क� ओर से/ Appellant by : None ��यथ� क� ओर से /Respondent by : Ms. R. Kavitha, Addl. CIT. सुनवाई क� तार�ख/Date of Hearing : 18.12.2024 घोषणा क� तार�ख /Date of Pronouncement : 09.01.2025 आदेश / O R D E R PER MANU KUMAR GIRI (Judicial Member)
This appeal by the assessee is arising out of the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi in order No.ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2024-25/1067130993(1) dated 30.07.2024. The assessment was framed by the Income Tax Officer, Ward 1, Thiruvallur for the assessment year 2015-2016 u/s. 147 r.w.s.144 r.w.s144B of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter the ‘Act’), vide order dated 03.03.2023.
At the time of hearing before us none appeared on behalf of the asseessee. The ld. Departmental Representative argued that the ld. CIT(A) has forwarded the remand report submitted by the ld. Assessing Officer to the assessee calling for objections if any. The assessee has not submitted any submissions/objections on remand report, hence, the ld. CIT(A) decided the appeal on merits. The ld. Departmental Representative further argued that no lenient view is to be taken in this case and prayed for dismissal of appeal.
We have heard the Departmental Representative and perused the material on record. We found that the ld. CIT(A) has forwarded the remand report submitted by the ld. Assessing Officer to the assessee calling for objections if any, however, assessee has not submitted any objections. Hence, the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed the appeal ex-parte on the merits of the grounds of appeal raised by the assessee. Further, even before us, there was no appearance by the assesseee. However, we are of the considered view that in the interest of justice assessee should be given one more opportunity before ld.CIT(A) to file all relevant evidences/documents to prosecute his case. Therefore, in the light of aforesaid factual position and for the substantial justice, we deem it fit to set aside this appeal to the file of ld.CIT(A) for denovo adjudication of appeal. The Ld.CIT(A) who shall proceed for denovo adjudication of appeal after providing proper opportunity of hearing to the assessee. The assessee is directed to substantiate its case forthwith without any fail, failing which Ld.CIT(A) shall be at liberty to proceed with the appellate proceedings as per law.
In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose. Order pronounced in the open court on 9th day of January, 2025