Facts
The Assessee Trust filed an appeal against the order denying registration under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for non-prosecution. The Trust claimed that hearing notices were sent to incorrect email addresses, preventing their participation.
Held
The Tribunal noted that the Assessee Trust failed to produce the Form 10AB filed before the CIT(Exemption). However, to meet the ends of justice, the order was set aside, and the case was remanded to the CIT(Exemption) with a cost of Rs. 5000/- imposed on the Assessee Trust.
Key Issues
Whether the denial of registration under Section 12AB for non-prosecution was justified, especially when the assessee claims to have not received hearing notices due to incorrect email addresses.
Sections Cited
12AB, 1961
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, AHMEDABAD “D” BENCH
Before: DR. BRR KUMAR & Shri T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR
Shri Sumukh Charitable The CIT(Exemption), Trust Limkheda Ahmedabad Shastri Chok, Limkheda Vs Dahod-389140, Gujarat PAN: AAYTS5851R (Respondent) (Appellant) Assessee Represented: Shri Jignesh Parikh, A.R. Revenue Represented: Shri Prathvi Raj Meena, CIT-DR Date of hearing : 08-04-2025 Date of pronouncement : 16-04-2025 आदेश/ORDER PER : T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:-
This appeal is filed by the Assessee Trust as against the order dated 21.11.2024 passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax [exemption] denying registration under section 12AB of the Income Tax Act 1961 for non-prosecution.
The Assessee Trust by way of a notarized affidavit stated that two hearing notices were given to the assessee on 07-09-2024 and 25.10.2024 to the email ID PANLIMKHEDA@gmail.com. Whereas the email id of the Assessee Trust is Page No 2 Shri Sumukh Charitable Trust Limkheda vs. CIT(E) divyangsharmasumukh@gmail.com and that of the Chartered Accountant is shakirca2006@gmail.com. Thus, the Assessee Trust Could not participate in the registration proceedings which resulted in passing exparte order. Non response to the hearing notices is neither deliberate nor intentional and therefore requested the matter be remanded to the file of CIT [Exemption] to provide one more opportunity of hearing for final registration.
We have heard rival submissions and perused the materials available on record and the affidavit filed by the Trustee. Though the Assessee Trust claims that two notices were sent to wrong email id, but the assessee failed to produce before us Form 10AB, what was filed before CIT [Exemption] and the details of email address mentioned therein, which is the statutory application form for registration of a Trust. In the absence of Form 10AB, we could not appreciate the allegations made by the Assessee Trust. However, the impugned order being an exparte order and to meet the ends of Justice, we deem it fit it to set aside case to the file of CIT [Exemption] by imposing a cost of Rs.5000/- [Rupees Five Thousand only] payable by the Assessee Trust to Income Tax Department within 15 days of receipt of copy of this order. On furnishing the proof of payment of the above cost, Ld. CIT[Exemption] is directed to grant one more opportunity of hearing by issuing physical notice to the Assessee Trust and consider final registration in accordance with the provisions of law.
Page No 3 Shri Sumukh Charitable Trust Limkheda vs. CIT(E)
In the result the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the open court on 16-04-2025 Sd/- Sd/- (DR. BRR KUMAR) (T.R. SENTHIL KUMAR) VICE PRESIDENT JUDICIAL MEMBER Ahmedabad: Dated 16/04/2025 आदेश क� ��त�ल�प अ�े�षत / Copy of Order Forwarded to:- 1. Assessee 2. Revenue 3. Concerned CIT 4. CIT (A) 5. DR, ITAT, Ahmedabad 6. Guard file.