Facts
The Revenue appealed an order from the NFAC which deleted an addition of Rs. 2,37,20,968/- made by the AO under section 69A, related to the assessment year 2017-18. The Revenue argued that the CIT(A) erred by ignoring that the assessee made imports in November 2016 and cash sales from August 2016, and that the claimed purchase of electronic components was for raw material for Dish Antennas, not usable by individuals.
Held
The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) erred in accepting additional evidence without calling for a remand report from the AO and decided the appeal in favor of the assessee. The Tribunal noted that the CIT(A) observed that the AO drew adverse conclusions without proper verification, ignored material evidence, and relied on unsubstantiated assumptions, incorrectly invoking Section 69A. However, the Tribunal decided that the matter needed to be sent back to the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) was justified in deleting the addition made under section 69A and if the matter should be remanded back to the AO for fresh adjudication due to acceptance of additional evidence without a remand report.
Sections Cited
144, 69A
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH ‘A’ : NEW DELHI
Before: SHRI MAHAVIR SINGH, HON’BLE & SMT. RENU JAUHRI, HON’BLE
ORDER PER MAHAVIR SINGH, VP: This appeal by the Revenue is emanating from the order of the NFAC, Delhi in Appeal No. CIT(A),Delhi-15/10384/2019-20 dated 13.8.2025. Assessment was framed by the AO u/s. 144 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 dated 20.12.2019 relating to assessment year 2017-18.
At the time of hearing, Ld. DR submitted that Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition of Rs. 2,37,20,968/- made by the AO u/s. 69A by ignoring the fact that the assessee has made import only in November, 2016 and cash sales were made from 3.8.2016 and also ignored the fact that the assessee has claimed to have purchase electronic components of LNP parts of DTH which is a raw material used for Dish Antenna cannot be used by individual. He further submitted that Ld. CIT(A) also erred in deleting the addition made on account of unexplained money by ignoring the fact that the assessee was given ample opportunities to justify the claim, but the assessee failed to furnish the requisite details alongwith supporting corroborative documentary evidence during the course of assessment proceedings and also ignored the fact that assessee has failed to furnish return and gets his account audited. He further submitted that Ld. CIT(A) while accepting the additional evidences filed on 12.3.2024 without calling a remand report from the AO. In view of above, it was requested to set aside the order of the Ld. CIT(A) and issues in dispute may be remitted back to the file of the AO for fresh adjudication, in accordance with law.
None appeared on behalf of the assessee, despite issue of notice for hearing, hence, we are proceeding the assessee exparte qua, after hearing the Ld. DR and perusing the records.
We have heard the rival contentions and perused the relevant records. We find that Ld. CIT(A) in his order has observed that AO himself admits that the assessee responded to the show cause notice and submitted ledger, cash book and invoices, which contradicts the assumption of non-compliance underlying the section 144 assessment and AO has drawn adverse conclusions without proper verification; ignoring material evidence submitted by the assessee and relied on conjectures and unsubstantiated assumptions thus incorrectly invoked section 69A to tax the gross business turnover as unexplained income. We further find that Ld. CIT(A) while accepting the additional evidences filed on 12.3.2024 without calling a remand report from the AO has decided the appeal in favour of the assessee, which is not sustainable in the eyes of law. In view of the aforesaid background, facts and circumstances of the case and in order to meet the end of justice, in our considered view, the matter needs to be sent back to the file of the Assessing Officer in order to complete the assessment proceedings de novo, in accordance with law, keeping in mind the aforesaid factual aspects of the matter and contention raised by the Revenue, as aforesaid. Needless to say that the assessee should be given adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee. Assesee is also directed 2 | P a g e to fully cooperate in the proceeding before the AO and provide him all the necessary documents / evidences in order to substantiate his case. We hold and direct accordingly.
In the result, the Revenue’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the Open Court on 19.01.2026.
SD/- SD/- (RENU JAUHRI) (MAHAVIR SINGH) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER VICE PRESIDENT Date: 21.01.2026 SRBhatnaggar Copy forwarded to: - 1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3. DIT 4. CIT (A) 5. DR, ITAT TRUE COPY By Order,
Assistant Registrar, ITAT, Delhi Bench
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