TALLA LAXMI,HYDERABAD vs. ACIT CIRCLE-10(1), HYDERABAD

There is a delay of ‘153’ days in filing of this appeal by the assessee for which a condonation application along with affidavit has been filed explaining the reasons for such delay which is due to the pandemic. After hearing both the sides and following the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of suo moto proceedings in the case of M.A.No 21 of 2022 and in M.A.665 of 2021 in suo moto writ petition (c) No. 3 of 2020 vide order dated 10.1.2022, the delay in filing of this appeal by the assessee is condoned and the appeal is admitted for adjudication.

2 ITA 230/Hyd/2022 3. Facts of the case, in brief, are that the assessee is an individual and filed her return of income on 30.10.2017 declaring total income of Rs.13,31,480/-. The case was selected for limited scrutiny under CASS. Statutory notices u/s. 143(2) and 142(1) were issued and served on the assessee to which the AR of the assessee appeared before the AO and filed the details as called for. During the course of assessment proceedings, the AO noted that assessee has deposited cash of Rs.4,98,80,200/- during demonetization period, which is not in proportion to the total income of the assessee from all the heads. Therefore, he asked the assessee to explain the source of such deposit in the bank. It was submitted by the assessee that her source of income is rental receipt and the bank account was held by herself, her husband and her in-laws. It was explained that the cash deposited in bank was out of surplus funds available with her. It was also submitted that the statement of the receipts and payments were submitted and she voluntarily offered Rs.1,50,00,000/- under PMGKY, 2016 and paid tax, surcharge and penalty of Rs.74,85,000/-. The assessee furnished the abstract of cash year wise commencing from FY 2006-07 for the entire Talla family and also the bank statements for the FY 2006-07 to 2016-17. The assessee filed the abstract of cash, explaining the source of income, which is as under:- 1.Sale consideration received in cash Rs. 51,48,000 2.Rental receipts in cash from FY 2006-07 to 2016-17 Rs.1,78,10,234 1.Cash withdrawal from bank FY 2006-07 to 2016-17 Rs.3,40,13,000 2.Rental advances Rs. 26,43,000 3.Expenditure (-)Rs.1,33,50,619 Balance cash available in hand Rs.4,95,21,101

However, the AO was not satisfied with the arguments advanced by the assessee. So far as the sale consideration received in cash at Rs.51,48,000/- is concerned, it was explained that the same is on account of sale of land on 14.07.2016.

The ld.CIT(A), NFAC dismissed the appeal by observing as under:-

Aggrieved with such order of the Ld.CIT(A), NFAC, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal by raising the following grounds.

The ld.CIT(A), NFAC center has erred in passing the order u/s. 250. The decision in the order is not pertaining to the appellant.

The ld. Counsel for the assessee, at the time of hearing strongly objected to the order passed by the ld.CIT(A), NFAC and submitted that the ld.CIT(A),NFAC has cut copy and pasted the order in case of somebody else while deciding the appeal of the assessee. Therefore, the order of the ld.CIT(A), NFAC should be quashed and the addition made by the AO should be deleted.

The ld. DR on the other hand, submitted that although the order of the ld.CIT(A),NFAC does not pertain to the assessee, while giving his finding, however, in the interest of justice, the matter should be restored to the file of the ld.CIT(A) to pass appropriate order.

We have heard the rival arguments made by both the sides, perused the orders of the AO and ld.CIT(A),NFAC and the paper book filed on behalf of the assessee. We find the AO in the instant case made addition of Rs.3,20,19,300/- on the ground that assessee could not explain the source of cash deposit of Rs.4,98,80,200/- during the demonetization period fully. Therefore, after considering the amount admitted under PMGKY at Rs.1,50,00,000/- and the rental income considered for six months at Rs.28,61,400/-, the AO made addition of Rs.3,20,19,300/- as unexplained cash deposit u/s.69A of the 5 ITA 230/Hyd/2022 I.T.Act. We find the ld.CIT(A) dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee, the reasons of which have already been reproduced in the preceding paragraph. It is the submission of the ld. Counsel for the assessee that since the findings in the order of the ld.CIT(A) does not pertain to the assessee, the said order should be set aside and the addition made by the AO should be deleted. It is the submission of the ld. DR that matter may be restored back to the file of the ld.CIT(A) with a direction to pass speaking order.

As per the provisions of section 250(6), the order of the ld.CIT(A) disposing of the appeal shall be in writing and shall state the points for determination, the decision thereon and the reason for the decision. However, a perusal of the order of the ld.CIT(A) shows that while giving his decision at para 4 of the order, he has cut copy and pasted the decision in case of some other person and the same does not pertain to the assessee. We depricate this type of practice and casual approach of the ld.CIT(A)/NFAC while passing the order. Considering the totality of the facts of the case and in the interest of justice, we deem it proper to restore the issue to the file of the ld.CIT(A)/NFAC with a direction to decide the appeal afresh by applying his mind carefully and not to cut paste the order in case of some other person. Needless to say, the ld.CIT(A)/NFAC shall give due opportunity of being heard to the assessee and decide the appeal as per fact and law. We hold and direct accordingly. The grounds raised by the assessee are accordingly allowed for statistical purposes.

In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.