MESSRS HINDUSTAN STEEL CORPORATION,MUMBAI vs. ITO 19 (1)(5), MUMBAI

Brief facts of the case are that assessee in this case is engaged in the business of trading in ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys. The Assessment in this case was reopened upon receipt of information from the sales tax Department that assessee has made bogus purchase of Rs. 87,60,038/-. The assessee submitted the purchase vouchers and the payments were made through banking channel. However the suppliers were not produced before the assessing officer. Sales in this case were not doubted.

The income tax officer in this case has made 12.5% addition on account of bogus purchase resulting in disallowance of Rs. 10,95,004/-.

Upon assessees appeal learned CIT(A) confirmed the same.

Against above order assessee is in appeal before the ITAT. I have heard learned Departmental Representative and perused the records.

Upon careful consideration I find that assessee has provided the documentary evidence for the purchase. Adverse inferences have been drawn due to the inability of the assessee to produce the suppliers. I find that in this case the sales have not been doubted. It is settled law that when sales are not doubted, hundred percent disallowance for bogus purchase cannot be done. The rationale being no sales is possible without actual purchases. This proposition is supported from honourable jurisdictional High Court decision in the case of Nikunj Eximp Enterprises (in writ petition no 2860, order dt. 18.6.2014). In this case the honourable High Court has upheld hundred percent allowance for the purchases said to be bogus when sales are not doubted. However in that case all the supplies were to government agency. In the present case the facts of the case indicate that assessee has made purchase from the grey market. Making purchases through the grey market gives the assessee savings on account of non-payment of tax and others at the expense of the exchequer. As regards the quantification of the profit element embedded in making of such bogus/unsubstantiated purchases by the assessee, I find that it will be doubled prejudice if the gross profit already declared is not reduced from the standard 12.5% being disallowed on account of bogus purchases.

Accordingly I direct that disallowance in this case be restricted to 12.5% of the bogus purchase as reduced by the gross profit already declared by the assessee.

In the result the appeal stands partly allowed