Facts
The assessee filed an appeal against an order of the CIT(A) which upheld the AO's assessment order passed under Section 147 r.w.s 144B. The CIT(A) passed an ex-parte order as notices of hearing were uploaded on the ITBA portal and not served by email or physical mode.
Held
The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) had passed an ex-parte order due to non-service of notices by usual modes. Respecting the principle of natural justice, the Tribunal remanded the matter back to the CIT(A) for fresh adjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) was justified in passing an ex-parte order without proper service of notice on the assessee, and if not, should the matter be remanded for fresh adjudication.
Sections Cited
147, 144B, 250(6)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, INDORE BENCH, INDORE
Before: SHRI B.M. BIYANI & SHRI PARESH M. JOSHI
आदेश/ O R D E R
Per B.M. Biyani, A.M.:
Feeling aggrieved by order of first-appeal dated 18.10.2025 passed by learned Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals)-NFAC, Delhi [“CIT(A)”] which in turn arises out of assessment-order dated 18.05.2023 passed by learned Assessment Unit of Income-tax Department [“AO”] u/s 147 r.w.s. 144B of Income-tax Act, 1961 [“the Act”] for Assessment-Year [“AY”] 2017-18, the assessee has filed this appeal on the grounds mentioned in Appeal Memo (Form No. 36).
Ld. AR for assessee referred Para No. 5.1 of impugned order to demonstrate that the CIT(A) has, while adjudicating first-appeal, served notices of hearing by way of uploading on ITBA portal but did not serve upon assessee by email or physical mode. He further submitted that the impugned notices have been uploaded on ITBA portal during a short span of 11.06.2024 to 30.08.2024 which remained unnoticed by assessee, therefore the assessee could not attend the hearings fixed by CIT(A) which has led to the passing of ex-parte order by CIT(A). He submitted that the CIT(A) has, although due to non-prosecution by assessee, merely upheld AO’s order without making an apt adjudication in terms of section 250(6). He submitted that the assessee is ready and willing to make a proper representation before CIT(A) if an opportunity is given and prays that the present matter should be remanded to the file of CIT(A) for a proper adjudication of the grounds/issues raised by assessee in first-appeal.
Ld. DR for revenue agrees with the prayer of Ld. AR but makes a request to direct the assessee to represent his case before CIT(A) and do not seek unnecessary adjournments.
Considering above submissions of parties; having regard to the principle of natural justice and also bearing in mind that no prejudice would be caused to revenue if the present matter is restored at the level of CIT(A), we remand this matter back to the file of CIT(A) for adjudication afresh, at the risk and responsibility of assessee. The CIT(A) shall give necessary opportunity of hearing to assessee and pass an appropriate order
Page 2 of 3 uninfluenced by his earlier order. The assessee is also directed to remain vigilant and ensure participation in the hearings as may be fixed by CIT(A) and do not seek unnecessary adjournments failing which the CIT(A) shall be at liberty to pass appropriate order in accordance with law. Ordered accordingly.
Resultantly, this appeal is allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in open court on 04/07/2025