MANDEEP SINGH KULBIRSINGH THANDHI ,NAVI MUMBAI vs. DCIT , PANVEL CIRCLE, PANVEL
In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal held that the notice under section 148 for AY 2010-11, dated March 31, 2017, was issued in the name of Mr. Kulbirsingh Santsingh Thandi, who had died on July 15, 2008. The Tribunal noted that no notice can be issued in the name of a deceased person. Respectfully following the decision of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Dhirendra Bhupendra Sanghvi vs ACIT, the Tribunal held that the notice under section 148 is bad in law, and the order under section 144 read with section 147 dated December 15, 2017, for AY 2010-11 is void ab initio. Therefore, the appeal of the assessee was allowed. The Tribunal also condoned the delay of 566 days in filing the appeal, finding sufficient reason for the delay. The issue of double taxation was not explicitly decided as the assessment itself was quashed.
What were the facts?
The assessee, Mr. Mandeep Singh Kulbirsingh Thandi, is the legal heir of the deceased Mr. Kulbirsingh S. Thandi. The appeal is against the order of the CIT(A) for Assessment Year 2010-11, which upheld an assessment order passed by the AO under section 144 read with section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The AO had issued a notice under section 148 on March 31, 2017, in the name of the deceased assessee. The deceased, Mr. Kulbirsingh S. Thandi, passed away on July 15, 2008, prior to the issuance of the notice. The assessee contended that the assessment proceedings initiated against a deceased person are void ab initio. The amount in dispute is Rs. 17,65,638/-, representing 5% of the total turnover, which the assessee claims was already taxed in the hands of the partnership firm, leading to double taxation.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the assessment order passed for Assessment Year 2010-11 in the name of a deceased assessee, Mr. Kulbirsingh S. Thandi, is bad in law and liable to be annulled, considering the notice under section 148 was issued after his death on July 15, 2008. (Question of law) 2. Whether the addition of Rs. 17,65,638/- made by the Assessing Officer and confirmed by the CIT(A) is unjustified and liable to be deleted due to double taxation, as this income was already taxed in the hands of the partnership firm. Assessee's contentions: - The notice under section 148 dated March 31, 2017, issued in the name of the deceased Mr. Kulbirsingh S. Thandi is bad in law. (Relied on Death Certificate at page 33 of paper book). - No assessment can be made for AY 2010-11 for a deceased person as a dead person cannot earn income. - The business of Samrat Carriers, previously owned by the deceased, was converted into a partnership firm, and its receipts were shown in the firm's return, which was submitted to the AO. - The addition of Rs. 17,65,638/- results in double taxation as it was already disclosed and taxed in the hands of the partnership firm. Revenue's contentions: - The Ld.DR accepted that no assessment order can be passed.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, PUNE BENCHES “SMC” :: PUNE
Before: DR.DIPAK P. RIPOTE & SHRI VINAY BHAMORE
PER DR. DIPAK P. RIPOTE, AM: This is an appeal filed by Mr.Mandeep singh Kulbirsingh Thandi as Legal Heir of Kulbirsingh S. Thandi against the order of ld.Commissioner of Income Tax(Appeal) [[NFAC], passed under section 250 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the A.Y.2010-11 dated 28.08.2023, emanating from order u/s.144 r.w.ss 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, dated 15.12.2017. The Assessee has raised following grounds of appeal:
Under the facts and circumstances of the case and in law passed by CIT Appeal being bad in law on various counts including natural justice and that, the same should be set aside
Under the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, that the learned CIT(A) has erred in not appreciating the fact that since the appellant Mr. Kulbirsingh Thandhi was expired on 15.07.2008, the question of assessing the income in his case for the A.Y 2010-11 is itself bad in law and therefore the order passed by the AO deserve to be annulled.
Under the facts and circumstances of the case the Learned CIT(A) while passing the order ex-parte has failed to appreciate that the assessment itself on deceased person was null and void ab initio and therefore he should have set aside the order of the assessing officer in limine even when the order is passed ex-parte.
Under the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the learned in CIT APPEAL has erred in conforming the addition of Rs.17,65,638/-being 5% of the total turnover of Rs.3,53,12,750/- without appreciating the fact that the said income has already been taxed in the hands of the partnership firm, thereby resulting in double taxation. Hence, the addition is unjustified and liable to be deleted.
Under the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, that the learned CIT(A) has erred in confirming the addition of 17,65,638/-, which is a duplication of income already disclosed in the Return of Income filed by the partnership firm. Hence, the same deserves to be deleted to prevent double taxation.
The appellant craves the right to add, amend, modify, alter or delete any of the grounds at the time of the hearing. Submission of Ld.AR :
Ld.AR submitted that Mr.Kulbirsingh Santsingh Thandi expired on 15/07/2008. He invited our attention to the page 33 of the paper book which was the Death certificate issued by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Ld.AR submitted that Notice u/s 148 dated 31/03/2017 issued in the name of deceased Mr.Kulbirsingh Santsingh Thandi is bad in law. Ld.AR also submitted that there cannot be any assessment for AY 2010-11 of income of deceased Mr.Kulbirsingh Santsingh Thandi as a dead person cannot earn any income. Therefore, the assessment order is bad in law.
1 Ld.AR submitted that deceased Mr.Kulbirsingh Santsingh Thandi was proprietor of Samrat Carriers. After his death the Business of Samrat Carrier has been converted into Partnership firm. The receipts have been shown in the return filed by the firm. Ld.AR submitted that all these facts were explained to the AO. Ld.AR submitted that copy of the Return filed by the Firm was submitted to the AO and it is mentioned in the assessment order. Submission of Ld.DR :
Ld.DR accepted that no assessment order can be passed. Findings and Analysis :
We have heard both the parties and perused the records.
1 The notice u/s.148 for A.Y.2010-11 dated 31.03.2017 is reproduced here as under : SPEED POST 31-3-2017 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE, PANVEL INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT To, KULBIRSINGH SANTSINGH THANDHI A-13, GREEN ACRES, DIN QUARRY ROAD, CHEMBUR, MUMBAI400088 PAN: ACMPT1107D AY: 2010-11 Dated: 31/03/2017 Letter No: ITBA/AST/S/148/2016- 17/1003799645(1) Sir/Madam/ M/s, Notice Under Section 148 Of The Income Tax Act, 1961 Whereas I have reasons to believe that your Income chargeable to Tax for the Assessment Year 2010-11 has escaped Assessment within the meaning of section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 1, therefore, propose to assess/ re-assess the income/ loss for the said Assessment Year and I hereby require you to deliver to me within 30 days from the service of this notice, a return in the prescribed form for the said Assessment Year. This notice is being issued after obtaining the necessary satisfaction of the additional Commissioner/ Commissioner of Income Tax/ Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. Comayesioner VINOD KALLATH BHASKARAN CIRCLE, PANVEL INCOME TAX OPPARS MENT GULAD DES DOIT Circle Panvel Dist: Rakyat
2 Thus, it can be seen that the AO had issued notice u/s 148 for AY 2010-11 on 31/03/2017 in the name of Mr.KulbirsinghSantsingh Thandi.It is noted that Mr.KulbirsinghSantsingh Thandi died on 15/07/2008. Copy of Death Certificate is at page no.33 of the paper book.
3 No notice can be issued in the name of a deceased person.
The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Dhirendra Bhupendra Sanghvi vs ACIT 458 ITR 326 (Bombay)[27-06-2023] has held as under : Quote, “For the reasons stated above, this Court holds that the notice and all consequential proceedings in the name of a deceased assessee are null and void and consequently, the impugned notice dated 31st March 2022 u/s 148 of the Act, the Order dated 31st March 2022 u/s 148A(d) of the Act and Notice dated 19th March 2022 u/s 148A(b) of the Act are quashed ...." Unquote.
1 Respectfully following the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, we hold that the notice u/s 148 is bad in law and the Order u/s.144 r.w.s 147 dated 15/12/2017 for A.Y.2010-11 is void ab initio.
In the result, appeal of the assessee is allowed. Delay : There was delay of 566 days in filling appeal before this tribunal. However, we are convinced that there was sufficient reason for delay, hence, the delay is condoned. Order pronounced in the open Court on 30 July, 2025. VINAY BHAMORE JUDICIAL MEMBER Dr.DIPAK P. RIPOTE ACCOUNTANT MEMBER पुणे / Pune; दिनांक / Dated : 30 July, 2025/ SGR आदेशकीप्रतिलिपिअग्रेषित /
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