GAUTHAMCHAND,CHENNAI vs. DCIT, CENTRAL CIRCLE-2(1),, CHENNAI

The grievance of the assessee in aforesaid appeals for Assessment Years (AYs) 2006-07 to 2014-15 is common. The appeals arise out of the common order dated 29.01.2020 passed by learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-18, Chennai [CIT(A)] and order dated 28.02.2020 passed by same authority for AY 2014-15. In the appeals, the assessee is aggrieved by confirmation of certain additions. The grounds taken for AY 2006-07 read as under: -

The learned Commissioner of Income-tax(Appeals) erred in not giving the appellant an opportunity to reconcile the transactions relating to unredeemed articles as prayed before him during the appeal proceedings in order to arrive at the correct amount of income under this head by rectifying the discrepancies before confirming the addition of Rs.32,54,000/- held as un-explained investment by the Assessing officer in the assessment order.

The learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) erred in confirming the addition of Rs.7,80,960 holding the same as interest earned on the amount considered as income on unredeemed articles and brought to tax in the assessment order by the Assessing officer. 6. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) erred in not considering the fact that the appellant had availed unsecured loans and the details were submitted during the course of appellate proceedings which were summarily rejected holding that the entire loan amount of Rs.23,04,411 was not proved which is based on the findings of the Assessing officer. 7. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) erred in not considering the fact that the loan of Rs.23,04,411 were obtained prior to the AY 2006-2007 and represents opening balance as on 01.04.2005 itself and not introduced during the year, hence the same cannot be treated as unexplained cash credit in the AY 2006- 2007. 8. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax(Appeals) erred in not considering the fact that the appellant had availed unsecured loans for the business which is duly reflected in the financial statement of the appellant and also the said loan creditors. 9. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax(Appeals) erred in not considering the fact that the claim of the appellant is supported by documents and the interest paid against loans were genuine, however confirmed the addition made holding the transactions as not genuine. 10. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax(Appeals) erred in holding that the interest of Rs.3,95,662/- paid on the loan claimed by the appellant is not allowable on the ground that the loan credit is not proved and held as not genuine. 2. The Registry has noted delay of 147 days in all the appeals, the condonation of which has been sought by Ld. AR on the ground that the appeals could not be filed in time due to lockdown situation arising out of Covid-19 Pandemic. Though Ld. DR opposed the condonation of delay, however, considering the plea of Ld. AR, the bench deem it fit to condone the delay and proceed with adjudication of the appeals on merits. 3. The Ld. AR assailed the impugned additions and filed written submissions. The Ld. DR supported the orders of lower authorities. Having considered the same, our adjudication would be as under. to 748/Chny/2020 - 4 - Assessment Proceedings 4. The assessee was subjected to reassessment proceedings and an assessment was framed u/s 143(3) r.w.s. 147 on 30.03.2015. The assessee is stated to be engaged in Pawn broking business. The assessee advanced loans to customers on pledge of gold jewellery. The customers of the assessee are middle income group people who generally take loan for emergent household needs like education, medical expenses and other domestic requirements etc. The loans are advanced on the security of petty items of gold jewellery, silver articles and other household articles etc. The loans are advanced for short period. The assessee was subjected to survey u/s 133A on 22.05.2012. Certain books and documents were impounded therein on the basis of which various additions were made which are adjudicated as under: - 5. Unexplained investments 5.1 On the basis of documents, Ld. AO estimated the value of unredeemed articles at year-end as Rs.53.51 Lacs as against Rs.20.97 Lacs shown by the assessee. Accordingly, the differential i.e., Rs.32.54 Lacs was sought to be added as unexplained investment. The assessee submitted that the value was correct, however, the assessee could not file party wise details. Accordingly, the same was added to the income of the assessee along with estimated interest of Rs.7.80 Lacs (computed @24%). 5.2 During appellate proceedings, the assessee submitted that Ld. AO did not consider the entries wherein the pledged articles were redeemed and cases wherein pledged items for sold and appropriated against outstanding loans. However, rejecting the same, Ld. CIT(A) confirmed ITA Nos.740 to 748/Chny/2020 - 5 - the additions as well as consequential interest against which the assessee is in further appeal before us. Similar additions have been made for AYs 2007-08 & 2008-09 for Rs.54.72 Lacs & Rs.67.23 Lacs respectively. 5.3 After hearing the arguments of Ld. AR and after going through written submissions, we are convinced with the alternative argument of Ld. AR that telescoping benefit of addition made in AY 2006-07 should have been granted in subsequent years. Accordingly, the addition as sustained by us for AY 2006-07 would be Rs.32,54,000/-. The addition sustained for AY 2007-08 would be Rs.5,29,405/- (Rs.37,83,405/- – Rs.32,54,000/-). The additions sustained for AY 2008-09 would be Rs.2,77,059/- (Rs.40,60,464/- – Rs.37,83,405/-). The interest would be computed @12% on net amounts only since there is no basis to presume rate of 24%. We order so. The corresponding grounds raised