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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘B’ BENCH, CHENNAI
Before: SHRI V. DURGA RAO & SHRI G. MANJUNATHA
PER G. MANJUNATHA, AM:
These three appeals filed by the assessee are directed
against separate, but identical orders of the learned
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-18, Chennai, dated
22.3.2018 passed u/s.271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961
for the assessment year 2014-15 and orders passed
u/s.250(6) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, both dated 20.11.2017
for the assessment years 2014-15 & 2015-16. Since, facts are
identical and issues are common, for the sake of convenience,
these appeals were heard together and are being disposed off,
by this consolidated order.
2 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
ITA No.3/Chny/2018 (A.Y. 2014-15):
The assessee has raised following grounds of appeal:-
The order of The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) 18, Chennai dated 20.11.2017 in I.T.A.No.479/16-17 for the above mentioned Assessment Year is contrary to law, facts, and in the circumstances of the case. 2. The CIT (Appeals) erred in enhancing the assessment in recomputing the taxable total income in para 18 of the impugned order without assigning proper reasons and justification. 3. The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the recomputation of the taxable total income which resulted in enhancement was wrong, erroneous, unjustified, incorrect and not sustainable in law. 4. The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the order of assessment under consideration passed u/s 153C read with section 143(3) of the Act was passed out of time, invalid, passed without jurisdiction and not sustainable both on facts and in law 5. The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the reasons given in the enhancement notice, reproduced in para 10 of the impugned order were not correct as well as recorded perverse factual findings/observations thereby vitiating the recomputation of taxable total income in para 18 of the impugned order.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that having noticed the strong objections for enhancement both on facts and in law from the Appellant fully extracted in para 14 of the impugned order, the rejection of such objections from para 15.1 was wrong, erroneous, unjustified, incorrect and not sustainable in law.
3 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the presumptions/ conclusions/inferences drawn from the seized materials with a view to arrive at the undisclosed income for assessment were not correct and ought to have appreciated that the misreading of the seized materials in this regard would vitiate the recomputation of taxable total income in para 18 of the impugned order.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the evidentiary value of the seized materials even though challenged was not considered in disposing of the related grounds of appeal and further ought to have appreciated that in any event the explanation offered for each of the entries in the seized materials in order to demonstrate the wrong addition made by the Assessing Officer as well as the enhancement computed in para 18 of the impugned order was considered in proper perspective from para 15.1 of the impugned order.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that there was no proper opportunity given before passing of the impugned order and any order passed in violation of the principles natural justice would be nullity in law.”
Brief facts of the case are that a search & seizure
operation u/s.132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was carried out
in the case of Shri E. Anandan, Director of M/s. Green Home
Landscape Pvt. Ltd. on 17.03.2015. During the course of
search in the premises of Shri E.Anandan, some incriminating
documents (sale agreement/deeds) were found and seized
4 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
which revealed fact that the assessee had entered into sale
agreement dated 07.02.2014 with Mr. K.Thangavelu for
purchase of property at Vadavalli. As per sale agreement dated
07.02.2014, the assessee had paid an amount of Rs.1 core
advance in cash to Mr. K.Thangavelu for purchase of property
and said property has been registered in the name of the
assessee on 03.03.2015 for consideration of Rs.4,10,00,000/-.
When the assessee was called upon to explain source for
payment made to Mr. K.Thangavelu, it was submitted that one
Mr. Ashok Kumar, S/o. Gopal had entered into sale agreement
with Mr. K.Thangavelu on 23.08.2013 and paid advance of
Rs.1 crore for purchase of very same property and the said
sale agreement was cancelled on 07.02.2014, because Mr.
Ashok Kumar could not arrange funds. Since, Mr. Ashok Kumar
is relative to the assessee, he made over advance paid to seller
of the property to the assessee and agreed to take back
advance subsequently. The recital of Rs.1 crore advance
mentioned in sale agreement between the assessee and Mr.
K.Thangavelu was in fact, Rs.1crores advance paid by Mr.
Ashok Kumar and same has been returned to Mr. Ashok
5 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
Kumar, out of sale proceeds of property owned by Mr.
E.Anandan, husband of the assessee at Chennai.
During the course of assessment proceedings, the
Assessing Officer however, was not convinced with explanation
furnished by the assessee and according to Assessing Officer,
on perusal of confirmation letter given by Mr. Ashok Kumar, it is
noticed that said advance of Rs.1 crore was paid on 07.02.2014
as per registered sale deed as well as agreement of sale. If it is
a case of Mr. Ashok Kumar make over his advance paid by him
to Mr. K.Thangavelu to the assessee, same should have been
reflected as a creditor in the balance sheet of Mrs. A.Latha.
Further, contention of the assessee is that she had paid Rs.1
cores to Mr. Ashok Kumar, out of money received from sale of
property by her husband Mr. E.Anandan at Chennai also does
not hold water, because on perusal of bank account statement
submitted by Mr. E.Anandan, it was noticed that buyer of the
property Mrs.Lakshmi has paid sale consideration of Rs.90
lakhs by way of demand draft and RTGS starting from
03.04.2014 to 07.04.2014 and further, there is no cash
withdrawal from account of Mr. E.Anandan to pay cash to Mr.
6 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
Ashok Kumar. The Assessing Officer further noted that as per
seized documents found during the course of search in the
premises of the assessee there are two notings in respect of
cash paid to Mr.Ashok Kumar on 22.10.2013 for Rs.85 lakhs
and on 24.11.2013 for Rs.57,50,000/- and this amply proves
that Mr. Ashok Kumar had entered into an agreement of sale
with Mr. K.Thangavelu on behalf of Mr. E.Anandan and paid
these amounts. The Assessing Officer further noted that Mr.
Ashok Kumar does not have any creditworthiness to advance
such huge amount to Mr. K.Thangavelu. Therefore, the
Assessing Officer opined that so called advance paid to Mr.
K.Thangavelu by the assessee is made out of her undisclosed
income and thus, made addition of Rs.1 crore being advance
paid to Mr. K. Thangavelu for purchase of property as
unexplained money u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Being aggrieved by the assessment order, the assessee
preferred an appeal before the learned CIT(A). Before the
learned CIT(A), the assessee has filed detailed written
submissions of the assessee which has been reproduced at
para 7 on page 4 to 6 of learned CIT(A) order. The sum &
7 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
substance of arguments of the assessee before learned CIT(A)
are that she had entered into sale agreement for purchase of
property with Mr. K.Thangavelu, after agreement of Mr. Ashok
Kumar with Mr. K.Thangavelu was cancelled on 07.02.2014
and further, advance paid by Mr. Ashok Kumar has been
adjusted towards advance payable by the assessee. The
assessee further contended that same has been repaid to Mr.
Ashok Kumar, out of sale consideration received by her
husband Mr. E.Anandan from sale of Chennai property.
The learned CIT(A), after considering relevant facts and
also taken note of entries contained in sheet No.100 of seized
documents found during the course of search, opined that
although, the assessee has made payment of Rs.1,42,50,000/-,
but, the Assessing Officer has not considered above amount for
addition. Therefore, after analyzing various documents found
during the course of search, including agreement between the
assessee and Mr. K.Thangavelu has issued enhancement
notice to the assessee and proposed to make addition of
Rs.1,83,50,000/- towards unexplained investments in purchase
of property. According to the learned CIT(A), evidences filed by
8 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
the assessee, including so called agreement between M/s.
Green Home Landscape Pvt.Ltd with Mr. K Thangavelu dated
22.06.2012 and subsequent agreement between Mr. Ashok
Kumar with Mr. K.Thangavelu are make belief stories.
Therefore, the learned CIT(A) opined that the assessee had
entered into agreement for purchase of property and made
various payments to Mr. K.Thangavelu and thus, after
considering necessary submissions of the assessee has
enhanced assessment to the extent of Rs.1,83,50,000/- being
various payments made by the assessee for purchase of
property as unexplained money u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act,
1961. The learned CIT(A), in the process, has deleted additions
made by the Assessing Officer towards advance paid by the
assessee to Mr. K.Thangavelu amounting to Rs.1 crore on the
ground that so called agreement between Mr. Ashok Kumar
with Mr. K. Thangavelu is make belief story and thus, claim of
Mr. Ashok Kumar making over said payment to the assessee is
not accepted. The relevant findings of the learned CIT(A) are as
under:-
ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
“17.1. The sources attributed for the payments of the above amounts to Shri K.Thangavelu even though supported by documentary evidences, the same cannot be accepted at all for the simple reason that, all these sources have been raised before Lhe date of entry of the appellant into the picture i.e., 7.2.2014 and further, nexus was not explained so as to prove that these sources were utilized for the purchase of the property. It is to be mentioned here that, during the course of assessment proceedings, when the Assessing Officer questioned about the source for the payment to Shri Ashok Kumar, the appellant did not claim the sources which he is claiming now during the appellate proceedings.
17.2. Further, it is to be stressed here that, Shri Anandan has schemed the entire deal in such a way to show as if initially M/s Green Home Landscape Pvt.Ltd., was the purchaser, later it was Shri.Ashok Kumar and finaNy it was Smt.Latha, the appellant. But in truth, Shri.Anandan’s intention was to buy the property in the name of Smt.Latha only. This inference will be proved as correct if one goes through the relevant discussions made in the preceding paragraphs. Some important points to be highlighted here are that, even though the value of the property transferred runs to several crores, most of the payments were in cash only. Even though various agreements are claimed to have been entered into with Shri.K.Thangavelu by M/s Green Home Landscape Pvt.Ltd., and Shri Ashok Kumar, they have been cancelled and only the agreement entered into between Shri Thangavelu and Smt. Latha alone materialized.
17.3. Further, during the period 23.08.2013 and 07.02.2014 Shri. Anandan continued to make part payments of Rs.15,00,000/- & Rs.85,00,000/- to Shri.Thangavelu on
ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
22.10.2013 &. 24.11.2013 respectively in spite of the fact that the agreement between Shri.Ashok Kumar and Shri Thangavelu was alive during the above said period.
17.4. For the above payments received from M/s Green Home Landscape Pvt.Ltd., represented by Shri.Anandan, the vendor Shri K.Thangave!u has authenticated the same by his signature. In addition, signature of a witness (Shri.D.Karthik) has also been affixed. These entries are made on the reverse of the agreement entered between M/s Green Home Landscape Pvt.Ltd., and Shri Thangavelu.
17.5. If the agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar and Shri K.Thangavelu was really genuine and existing, then Shri Anandan would not have made payments during the period when this agreement was live.
17.6. Thus, it can be concluded that, Shri Ashok Kumar was only a benami and his name was unnecessarily dragged into this transaction. An inference can easily be drawn that, the money passed on from the Appellant to Shri K.Thangavetu is still lying with Shri K.Thangavelu till Smt.Latha enters into the agreement with Shri K.Thangavelu. This itself inexplicably proves that, there was no real transaction between Shri Ashok Kumar and Shri K.Thangavelu. Had there been such a transaction, this document should find a place only in the premises of Shri Ashok Kumar and not that of the appellant, as it happened in reality.
17.7. As per the observation made by the AO in the Asst.Order, regarding the addition of Rs, 1 Crore, it represents the amount returned by the Appellant to Shri Ashok Kumar. Since it is now
11 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
held that the introduction of Shri Ashok Kumar is a make believe story, the claim of Shri Ashok Kumar making over the said payment to the appellant is not accepted and the addition of Rs.1 Crore made by the AO is hereby deleted. This is because, in this order it is clearly proved that Shri Ashok Kumar was never a party in this transaction as wrongly projected by the appellant.
17.8. In this appeal, the appellant challenges the addition of Rs.1 Crore. While deciding the issue, the undersigned took the support of the seed material and hence the entire issue is re- visited. While doing so, this Appellate Order resulted in enhancement and therefore, the Grounds raised by the appellant against the addition of Rs.1 Crore made by the Assessing Officer stands deleted. 1. Hence the resultant enhancement is worked Out as under:
18.1. Even though various payments have been made as evidenced by the seized documents, those relating to the impugned Asst.Year alone (F.Y.2013-14) have been taken into
12 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
consideration in this order and thus resulting in an enhancement of Rs.1,83,50,000/-“
Aggrieved by the learned CIT(A) order, the assessee is in
appeal before us.
The learned A.R for the assessee submitted that the
learned CIT(A) erred in enhancing assessment without
appreciating fact that the assessee has explained source for
advance payment made to Shri K.Thangavelu for purchase of
property. The learned A.R for the assessee further referring to
various documents relied upon by the learned CIT(A)
submitted that although, the learned CIT(A) observed that
agreement between Mr. Ashok Kumar with Mr. K. Thangavelu is
a make belief story, but failed to examine both the parties, when
the assessee has filed evidences to justify her case. He further
submitted that agreement between the assessee and Mr. K.
Thangavelu was found during the course of search. As per
seized documents, Mr. Ashok Kumar had entered into
agreement for purchase of property and paid advance amount
of Rs.1 crore on various dates. Since, he could not register
property by paying balance consideration, had requested the
13 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
assessee and the assessee had entered into separate
agreement, but amount of advance mentioned in the agreement
was in fact, paid by Mr. Ashok Kumar and make over to the
assessee. He further submitted that the learned CIT(A) without
appreciating facts has simply enhanced the assessment only on
the basis of some jottings found in loose papers.
The learned DR, on the other hand, supporting order of
the learned CIT(A) submitted that in fact, there is no
enhancement from the learned CIT(A), because if you see
issue in total, whole issue is on account of unexplained
investments in purchase of property. As per seized documents
found during the course of search, the assessee had
purchased property from Mr. K. Thangavelu for a consideration
of Rs.6.67crores, including stamp duty and registration. The
assessee could explain source to the extent of Rs.2.5 crores
only, out of loan borrowed from bank. The balance amount has
been added as unexplained investment, because the assessee
could not explain source for investments. Although, the
Assessing Officer had considered balance amount of
Rs.4,17,00,000/- as unexplained investments, but made
14 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
addition of Rs.1 crore for the assessment year 2014-15 on the
basis of agreement between the assessee and Mr. K.
Thangavelu and balance amount of Rs.3,17,00,000/- has been
added for the assessment year 2015-16. Though, the learned
CIT(A) has enhanced addition for the assessment year 2014-
15, to Rs.1,83,50,000/-, but while considering source for
assessment year 2015-16 has sustained addition to the extent
of Rs.2,33,50,000/-, which means total additions made by the
Assessing Officer for both assessment years and sustained by
the learned CIT(A) is one and the same and therefore, there is
no merit in the arguments of the assessee that the learned
CIT(A) has enhanced assessment for assessment year 2014-
He further submitted that when it comes to source for
investments made in purchase of property, although the
assessee claims to have various sources, including loans
borrowed from various persons, but on perusal of details filed
by the assessee, it is observed that the assessee could not
substantiate source and thus, learned CIT(A), after considering
relevant explanation has rightly sustained additions made by
the Assessing Officer and his order should be upheld.
15 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
We have heard both the parties, perused material
available on record and gone through orders of the authorities
below. The sole issue revolves around addition made by the
Assessing Officer towards amount paid for purchase of
property by the assessee as unexplained money u/s.69A of
the Income Tax Act, 1961. The basis for additions towards
unexplained money u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is
search conducted in the case of Shri E.Anandan, husband of
the assessee. During the course of search, sale agreement
between the assessee and Mr. K.Thangavelu dated
07.02.2014 was found as per which, the assessee had
entered into agreement for purchase of property from Mr.
K.Thangavelu for a consideration of Rs.4,10,00,000/- and paid
advance of Rs.1 crore on the date of agreement. The
Assessing Officer has made addition of Rs.1 crore u/s.69A of
the Income Tax Act, 1961 for assessment year 2014-15 on the
ground that explanation of the assessee that Mr. Ashok Kumar
paid advance and said advance has been make over to the
assessee is a make belief story without any evidence. The
learned CIT(A), has deleted additions made by the Assessing
Officer, however enhanced assessment and made addition of
16 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
Rs.1,83,50,000/- on the basis of his own appraisal of evidences
and reasoning. The learned CIT(A) has disregarded all
evidences filed by the assessee, including agreement between
Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr. K.Thangavelu before the assessee
had entered into agreement with Mr. K.Thangavelu for
purchase of very same property. The sole reason for learned
CIT(A) to disbelieve claim of the assessee was relationship
between the assessee and Shri Ashok Kumar. According to
learned CIT(A), Shri Ashok Kumar being related to the
assessee, he had created document to make believe story, but
in fact, Mr. E.Anandan had entered into agreement with Mr.
K.Thangavelu for purchase of property in the name of his wife
Smt. A.Latha, present assessee before us. The learned CIT(A)
has given various reasons to disregard arguments advanced
by the learned A.R for the assessee and according to him,
when the agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr. K.
Thangavelu was subsists, there is no reason for the assessee
to make payment to Mr. K. Thangavelu. The learned CIT(A) has
considered various facts and has also assumed certain facts
and inferred that claim of the assessee that Shri Ashok Kumar
had entered into agreement is a make believe story and
17 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
therefore, rejected arguments and went on to discuss the issue
in light of various evidences and concluded that the assessee
has purchased property from Mr. K.Thangavelu for a
consideration of Rs.6,30,00,000/-, but could not explain source,
except bank loan.
We have given our thoughtful consideration to the
reasons given by the learned CIT(A) in light of various
arguments advanced by the learned A.R for the assessee and
we ourselves do not subscribe to the reason given by the
learned CIT(A) for simple reason that when the learned CIT(A)
has disbelieved agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr.
K. Thangavelu, he could have examined both the parties before
taking any adverse inference against the assessee, more
particularly, when Mr. Ashok Kumar has confirmed having
entered into agreement with Mr. K.Thangavelu and also
confirmed make over advance payment to the assessee. The
learned CIT(A), without carrying out necessary verification has
simply rejected arguments of the assessee and went on to
make additions by considering certain jottings recorded in the
incriminating materials found during the course of search. The
18 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
main allegation of the learned CIT(A) is Mr. E.Anandan
continued to make part payments of Rs.15 lakhs and
Rs.85,00,000/- to Mr. K.Thangavelu on 23.10.2013 &
24.11.2013 respectively, even when the purported agreement
dated 23.08.2013 between Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr.
K.Thangavelu was alive. Therefore, the learned CIT(A) opined
that agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr.
K.Thangavelu was not genuine. We find that the learned
CIT(A) has drawn inference against the assessee on
assumption and suspicion without bringing on record any
evidences to counter various evidences filed by the assessee,
including agreement entered into by M/s. Green Home
Landscape Pvt. Ltd. with Mr. K. Thangavelu. Further, the
learned CIT(A) had also disbelieved various documents filed by
the assessee, including agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar
and Mr. K.Thangavelu with confirmation from the party only on
the ground that Mr. Ashok Kumar is relative of Mr. E. Anandan,
otherwise, evidences filed by the assessee, including
agreement between Shri Ashok Kumar and Mr. K.Thangavelu
clearly shows that he had paid advance of Rs.1 crore. Further,
Shri Ashok Kumar has confirmed transactions by filing
19 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
confirmation letter. The learned CIT(A) without considering
those evidences has simply disbelieved various documents filed
by the assessee and made additions, even though parties have
clearly proved payment of advance by Shri Ashok Kumar and
make over said advance to the assessee. Therefore, we are of
the considered view that the learned CIT(A) has erred in
making enhancement of assessment only on the basis of
certain entries in loose sheets without any further evidence to
prove that said transactions are in fact taken place. Hence, we
are of the considered view that the learned CIT(A) has erred in
making enhancement of assessment on the basis of jottings
recorded in loose sheets found during the course of search and
assumed that the assessee has purchased property for a
consideration of Rs.6,65,00,000/-, even though sale agreement
between the assessee and Mr. K.Thangavelu and subsequent
registered sale deed clearly proves fact that property has been
purchased for consideration of Rs.4,10,00,000/-. Thus, we
reject reasons given by the learned CIT(A) to enhance the
assessment on the basis of incriminating materials found during
the course of search. Further, in our considered view,
explanation of the assessee that advance mentioned in sale
20 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
agreement between the assessee and Mr. K.Thangavelu was
paid by Mr.Ashok Kumar and make over to the assessee is
proved beyond doubt with necessary evidences, including
confirmation letter from the party. Further, the assessee had
also proved fact that she had repaid a sum of Rs.1 crore to Shri
Ashok Kumar, out of sale proceeds of property at Chennai by
her husband Mr. E.Anandan is also proved beyond doubt which
is evidenced from fact that although, the purchaser had paid
sale consideration of Rs.90 lakhs by demand draft / RTGS, but
Mr. E.Anandan has withdrawn amount from his bank account
which clearly proves that money has been used to make
payment to Shri Ashok Kumar. Therefore, we are of the
considered view that additions made by the Assessing Officer
towards advance payment made to Mr. K.Thangavelu on the
basis of sale agreement dated 07.02.2014 is not correct.
Coming back to additions made by the learned CIT(A).
The learned CIT(A) made addition of Rs.10 lakhs cash advance
claims to have been paid by M/s.Green Home Landscape Pvt
Ltd. to Shri Thangavelu on the ground that this amount has
gone from undisclosed source of Mrs.Latha. We find that when
21 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
the agreement clearly shows that payment has been made by
M/s.Green Home Landscape Pvt. Ltd., same cannot be
attributed to the assessee and thus, we are of the considered
view that the learned CIT(A) has erred in making addition of
Rs.10 lakhs in the hands of the assessee. Similarly, the
learned CIT(A) has made additions towards entries recorded in
some loose sheets on the ground that the assessee has paid
cash to Mr. K.Thangavelu for purchase of property. As we have
already stated in earlier part of this order, no additions can be
made only on the basis of loose sheets, when the assessee
demonstrated with evidence that the property has been
purchased for the stated consideration in the agreement of sale
and further registered deed executed for transferring title also
confirms consideration paid for purchase of property. Therefore,
we are of the considered view that enhancement made by the
learned CIT(A) amounting to Rs.1,83,50,000/- on the basis of
entries in loose papers cannot be sustained. Hence, we
reverse findings of the learned CIT(A) and delete enhancement
made by the learned CIT(A).
22 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
In the result, appeal filed by the assessee for assessment
year 2014-15 is allowed.
ITA No.1223/Chny/2018 (A.Y. 2014-15):
The assessee has raised following grounds of appeal:-
“1 The order of The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) - 18, Chennai dated 22.03.2018 in I.T.A.No.479/2016-17 for the above mentioned Assessment Year is contrary to law, facts, and in the circumstances of the case.
The CIT (Appeals) erred in imposing maximum penalty u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act at 300% of the tax sought to be evaded for the reasons stated from para 8.6 of the impugned order without assigning proper reasons and justification.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the initiation of the penalty proceedings u/s 271(1)(c) of the Act and passing the consequential penalty order at the appellate stage after enhancing the assessment in the quantum appeal was completely erroneous & bad in law and ought to have appreciated that the order imposing penalty was passed out of time, invalid, passed without jurisdiction and not sustainable both on facts and in law. 4. The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the conclusions reached based on the sworn statements were not correct and further ought to have appreciated that the presumption of payment of Rs.1,83,50,000/- from undisclosed sources of the Appellant to Shri K.Thangavelu for purchase of property at
23 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
Vadavalli was wrong, erroneous, unjustified, incorrect and not sustainable in law. 5. The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the reliability of the seized materials was heavily challenged both in the quantum proceedings as well as in the penalty proceedings and ought to have appreciated that the penalty imposed on the seized materials was wholly unjustified.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that the quantum proceedings had not reached finality in view of pendency of appeal before the Jurisdictional Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (appeal filed on 1.1.2018) and ought to have appreciated that the penalty proceedings in any event should be reckoned as independent thereby vitiating the levy of maximum penalty based on wrong presumption/inference of facts.
The CIT (Appeals) failed to appreciate that there was no proper opportunity given before passing of the impugned order and any order passed in violation of the principles natural justice would be nullity in law.”
The assessee has filed this appeal and challenged 300%
penalty levied by the learned CIT(A) on enhancement of
assessment amounting to Rs.1,83,50,000/-. We find that
additions made by the learned CIT(A) has been deleted by us in
ITA No.3/Chny/2018 for the assessment year 2014-15. Since,
addition on which penalty levied u/s.271(1)(c) of the Act, is
24 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
itself deleted, penalty levied by the learned CIT(A) on said
addition cannot survive. Hence, we delete penalty levied by the
learned CIT(A) u/s.271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 .
In the result, appeal filed by the assessee for the
assessment year 2014-15 is allowed.
ITA No.39/Chny/2018 (A.Y.2015-16):
The facts and issues involved in this appeal are identical
to the facts & issues which we have considered in ITA
No.3/Chny/2018 for the assessment year 2014-15. The
Assessing Officer has made addition of Rs.3,17,00,000/-
u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 on the ground that the
assessee has purchased property from Mr. K.Thangavelu for
Rs.6,30,00,000/- and has established source of
Rs.2,50,00,000/- out of bank loan and thus, balance amount of
Rs.4,17,00,000/- has been treated as unexplained investment.
Since, a sum of Rs. 1 crore has been added for the
assessment year 2014-15, balance amount of Rs.3,17,00,000/-
has been treated as unexplained investments in house property
for the assessment year 2015-16. We find that an identical
issue has been considered by us in preceding paragraph in ITA
25 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
No.3/Chny/2018, where we have clearly held that additions
made by the Assessing Officer and sustained by the learned
CIT(A) on the basis of jottings recorded in loose sheets cannot
be sustained, when the assessee has clearly established
purchase of property for Rs.4,10,00,000/- and has also
explained source. Therefore, additions made by the Assessing
Officer and sustained by the learned CIT(A) on the basis of
loose sheets cannot be sustained.
Coming back to the investments made in property and
source for such investments. The assessee has purchased
property for a consideration of Rs.4,47,00,000/-, including
registration expenses. The assessee has explained source for
investments in purchase of property, as per which the assessee
has taken loan from bank amounting to Rs.2,50,00,000/-
Further, the assessee had taken loan from Mr. Anthonysamy
amounting to Rs.60,00,000/-. The assessee also availed
jewellery loan from Karur Vysaya Bank amounting to
Rs.7,54,000/-. The assessee has also availed jewellery loan
from Axis Bank for Rs.17,00,000/-. The assessee had taken
loan from Mr. E.Anandan out of jewellery loan from Karur
26 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
Vysaya Bank amounting to Rs.7,00,000/-. All these amounts
are credited to bank account of the assessee maintained at
Karur Vysaya Bank, R.S.Puram and from said bank account,
amount has been paid to Sundaram BNP Paribas Home
Finance Ltd amounting to Rs.2,94,00,000/-. The assessee had
paid further amount of Rs.4,93,000/- to Sundaram BNP Paribas
Home Finance Ltd. through RTGS from KVB Bank. The
assessee had paid Rs.3,85,000/- on 08.10.2014 by cheque
no.000106. All these amounts are transferred from the
assessee bank account to Mr. K.Thangavelu. Therefore, we are
of the considered view that there is no doubt about source of
payment to the extent of Rs.3,13,78,000/-. Therefore, to this
extent, the assessee has explained source for purchase of
property and thus, the Assessing Officer and learned CIT(A)
have erred in making additions towards amount invested for
purchase of property by disregarding various evidences filed by
the assessee, including documents filed for availing various
loans from banks and relatives.
As regards cash payment of Rs.1,03,22,000/-, the
assessee claims to have made Rs.1,03,22,000/- cash payment
27 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
to Mr. K. Thangavelu, out of which a sum of Rs.1 crore was
paid on 07.02.2014 which has been explained out of advance
paid by Mr. Ashok Kumar and make over to the assessee.
Therefore, to the extent of Rs.1 crore, there is no dispute with
regard to fact that the assessee has proved source, because
the assessee has make over advance paid by Mr.Ashok Kumar
and same has been subsequently repaid to Mr. Ashok Kumar
out of sale proceeds of Madras property of Mr. E.Anandan,
husband of the assessee. Hence, we are of the considered
view that the assessee has proved source of cash payment
of Rs.1 crore to Mr. K.Thangavelu and thus, the Assessing
Officer as well as learned CIT(A) were erred in making additions
towards amount invested in purchase of property.
As regards cash payment of Rs.3,22,000/- on
03.03.2015, it was explanation of the assessee that the
assessee is having sufficient source of income out of
agricultural loan jointly borrowed with her husband amounting
to Rs.13,22,000/-. The assessee has filed source for agricultural
loan in the form of loan sanction letters and also credits in the
bank account of the assessee . Therefore, to the extent of
28 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
amount paid in cash of Rs.3,22,000/-, the assessee is having
sufficient source to explain payment made to Mr. K. Thangavelu
for purchase of property. Therefore, we are of the considered
view that the learned CIT(A) has erred in sustaining additions
made by the Assessing Officer for unexplained investments
towards purchase of property.
In this view of the matter and considering facts and
circumstances of the case, we are of the considered view that
the Assessing Officer as well as the learned CIT(A) were
completely erred in making additions towards unexplained
investments in property disregarding various evidences filed by
the assessee to prove source for said investments. Hence, we
reverse findings of the learned CIT(A) and direct the Assessing
Officer to delete additions made u/s.69 of Income Tax Act,
1961, amounting to Rs.2,33,50,000/- for the assessment year
2015-16.
The next issue that came up for our consideration from
ground no.9 & 10 of assessee appeal is addition of
Rs.39,51,560/- towards unexplained cash credits in the bank
29 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
account of the assessee on various dates. The Assessing
Officer has made addition of Rs.39,51,560/- being cash
deposits found in bank account on various dates. It was
explanation of the assessee that these cash deposits were
payment made for purchase of property at Vadavalli and thus,
when the Assessing Officer has made addition towards
investments in purchase of property, once again addition
towards cash deposits found in bank account amounts to
double addition.
We have heard both the parties, perused material
available on record and gone through orders of the authorities
below. We find that except stating that the Assessing Officer
has already made additions towards investments made in
property, the assessee could not file any documentary evidence
to explain cash deposits found in bank account. Further,
additions made by the Assessing Officer towards unexplained
investments in purchase of property has been deleted by
holding that the assessee has explained source for
investments out of borrowings from banks, loan from friends
and relatives and various other loans from banks. However,
30 ITA Nos.1223/Chny/2018 3/Chny/2018 & 39/Chny/2018
with regard to cash deposits found in bank account on various
dates, the assessee could not file any satisfactory explanation.
Therefore, we are of the considered view that there is no error
in the reasons given by the Assessing Officer to make
additions towards cash deposits found in the bank account
u/s.69A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Hence, we are inclined to
uphold findings of learned CIT(A) and reject ground taken by
the assessee.
In the result, appeal filed by the assessee for assessment
year 2015-16 is partly allowed.
To sum up, appeals filed by the assessee in ITA
Nos.3/Chny/2018 & 1223/Chny/2018 for assessment years
2014-15 are allowed and appeal filed in ITA No.39/Chny/2018
for assessment year 2015-16 is partly allowed. Order pronounced in the open court on 31st March, 2022 Sd/- Sd/- ( वी. दुगा� राव ) ( जी.मंजुनाथ) (V. Durga Rao) ( G.Manjunatha) $या�यक सद&य /Judicial Member लेखा सद&य / Accountant Member
चे$नई/Chennai, )दनांक/Dated 31st March, 2022 DS आदेश क� ��त+ल,प अ-े,षत/Copy to: 1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3. आयकर आयु.त (अपील)/CIT(A) 4. आयकर आयु.त/CIT 5. ,वभागीय ��त�न2ध/DR 6. गाड� फाईल/GF.