Facts
The assessee, an agriculturist, had cash deposits of Rs. 12 lakhs during the demonetization period. The Assessing Officer made an addition on account of agricultural income and credit in bank accounts, which was confirmed by the NFAC. The assessee argued that he provided 7/12 extracts of his agricultural land and sales bills, but the AO found the bills insufficient to verify the buyers' creditworthiness and the agricultural activity.
Held
The Tribunal held that the Assessing Officer made additions based on surmises without conducting proper inquiry or bringing material evidence on record. The Tribunal found that no satisfactory evidence regarding the agricultural activity and crop details was furnished by the assessee, but also noted the lack of inquiry by the AO.
Key Issues
Whether additions made by the AO on account of agricultural income and unexplained credit were justified without proper inquiry and evidence, and if the NFAC erred in dismissing the appeal ex-parte.
Sections Cited
69A, 271AAC, 115BBE, 234A, 234B, 234C
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “SMC” BENCH, AHMEDABAD
Before: DR. B.R.R. KUMAR, VICE-Ms SUCHITRA KAMBLE
(Assessment Year: 2017-18) Gaurangbhai Bhagubhai Patel, Income Tax Officer, Vs. Khushi Transport, Ward-1(3)(1), Hasapura, Vadodara. Fartikul, Dabhoi, Vadodara-391110. [PAN :ASDPP9199 G] (Appellant) .. (Respondent) Appellant by : Shri Parin Shah, AR Respondent by: Shri Suresh Chand Meena, Sr DR Date of Hearing 03.07.2025 Date of Pronouncement 09.07.2025 O R D E R PER DR. B.R.R. KUMAR, VICE-PRESIDENT:-
This appeal is filed by the Assessee against the appellate order dated 28.11.2024 passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)/National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi, relating to the Assessment Year 2017-18. 2. The assessee has raised the following grounds of appeals:
The order passed by lower authorities is bad in law and required to be quashed.
Ld. NFAC erred in law and on facts in dismissing appeal ex-parte. Appellant prays that appeal may be set aside to file of AO or CIT(A) as your honours deems fit.
Gaurangbhai B patel Vs. ITO Asst. Year : 2017-18 - 2– 3. Ld. NFAC erred in law and on facts in confirming addition of Rs.16,86,664/- of credit in bank accounts by invoking section 69A of the Act. 4. Initiation of penalty proceedings u/s.271AAC is unjustified. 5. Ld. NFAC erred in law and on facts in taxing addition at higher rate as per section 115BBE of the Act. 6. Charging of Interest u/s.234A, 234B, 234C are unjustified.
The assessee had total cash deposits of Rs. 12 lakhs in three accounts deposited during demonetization period. Before the Assessing Officer the assessee submitted that he is an agriculturist and is doing agriculture on his own land. The assessee also furnished the 7/12 extracts of agricultural lands and also furnished the copies of a few sales bills. On perusal of the sales bills. The Assessing Officer held that it is not possible to identify the persons to whom the crop has been sold by the assessee on his own bill book. Further, the Assessing Officer held that a few bills were around Rs. 2 lakhs and 3 lakhs. It was also not justifiable whether the persons have paid this much amount in cash to the assessee and whether they have the creditworthiness or not. Assessing Officer held that no evidence to prove the agricultural activity done on the land and no satisfactory evidence regarding details of crops grown on the land, was furnished by the assessee. It was argued before us that the assessee had 10 acres of agricultural land as per 7/12 extracts and the Revenue Authorities failed to give due credence to the submission of the assessee. On going through the record before us, we find that no inquiry has been conducted by the Assessing Officer nor any evidence has been brought on record but made addition simply on surmises. Hence, in the absence of any material evidence, the addition Gaurangbhai B patel Vs. ITO Asst. Year : 2017-18 - 3– made by the Assessing Officer on account of agricultural income as well as credit of Rs.2,61,664/- is hereby directed to be deleted.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed.
The order is pronounced in the open Court on 09.07.2025.
Sd/- Sd/- (SUCHITRA KAMBLE) (DR. B.R.R. KUMAR) JUDICIAL MEMBER VICE-PRESIDENT (True Copy) Ahmedabad; Dated 09.07.2025 MV देश की �ितिलिप अ�ेिषत/Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. अपीलाथ� / The Appellant 2. ��थ� / The Respondent. 3. संबंिधत आयकर आयु� / Concerned CIT 4. आयकर आयु�(अपील) / The CIT(A)- 5. िवभागीय �ितिनिध, आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण, अहमदाबाद / DR, ITAT, Ahmedabad 6. गाड� फाईल / Guard file. आदेशानुसार/ BY ORDER, True Copy