ANIL KUMAR VELLAGA,GUNTUR vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-1(1), GUNTUR

This appeal is filed by the assessee against the order of Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal centre, Delhi [hereinafter in short “Ld.CIT(A)”] vide DIN & Order No. ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2025-26/1078020196(1) dated 30.06.2025 arising out of I.T.A.No.511/VIZ/2025 Anil Kumar Vellage order passed under section 143(3) of Income Tax Act, 1961 (in short ‘Act’) dated 18.03.2024.

Brief facts of the case are that, assessee is a salaried employee and filed his return of income on 20.07.2022 admitting a total income of Rs.1,01,346/- for the A.Y. 2022-23. The case of the assessee was selected for scrutiny through CASS for the reason that the salary income declared by the assessee in the ITR is substantially less than the income as per Form 26AS. Thereafter, notice under section 142(1) of the Act on various dates were issued and served on the assessee. Further, information was received that during the course of search operation under section 132(1) of the Act in the case of M/s.Gamescraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., on 15.03.2022 certain documents of incriminating nature were found and seized. From perusal of incriminating documents, the Ld. Assessing Officer [hereinafter in short “Ld. AO"] observed that assessee has made various transactions of gaming with Gameskraft Technologies Pvt Ltd., totalling to Rs.1,44,68,470/-. Finally, a show-cause notice was issued on 08.03.2024. In response, assessee furnished his reply on 10.03.2024 without any supporting evidences. Not convinced with the submissions of the assessee, Ld. AO proceeded to complete the assessment by observing that the contention of the assessee could not be accepted as it is not supported by complete evidences. The Ld.AO on being not satisfied with the submissions furnished by the assessee completed the assessment proceedings by determining the income

On being aggrieved by the order of the Ld. AO, assessee carried the matter before the Ld. CIT(A). Ld. CIT(A) dismissed the appeal of the assessee in-limine without condoning the delay in filing the appeal before Ld. CIT(A).

On being aggrieved by the Ld. CIT(A), assessee is in appeal before us by raising following grounds of appeal: -

The only issue emanating from the grounds of the appeal is against the dismissing of the appeal by the Ld. CIT(A) without appreciating the reasons stated in the affidavit citing for the delay in filing the appeal before Ld. CIT(A). Ld. Authorised Representative [hereinafter “Ld.AR”] relied on the written submissions and the affidavits filed before Ld. CIT(A) for the delay in filing of Page. No 3

Per contra, Ld. Departmental Representative [hereinafter in short “Ld.DR”] strongly objected to remitting the file back to the file of Ld. CIT(A). Ld. DR submitted that assessee has cited reason “Ignorance of law” as cause for the delay in filing the appeal, this cannot constitute a valid cause and the Ld.CIT(A) has rightly adjudicated and dismissed the appeal in-limine without condoning the delay. He therefore pleaded that the order of the Ld. CIT(A) be upheld.

We have heard both the sides and perused the material available on record. It is an undisputed fact that the assessee has cited the following reasons as being the cause for delay in filing appeal before Ld. CIT(A).

There is merit in the argument of the Ld. DR that ignorance of law and time taken for professional consultations would not constitute sufficient cause to be condoned for the delay in filing the appeal before the Ld. CIT(A). Assessee has not advanced any other reason before Ld. CIT(A) for the delay in filing of the appeal. We therefore find no merit in the argument of the Ld.AR and we are Page. No 4

In the result, appeal of the assessee is dismissed.