CHANCHALBEN DAHYABHAI PATEL,DAMAN vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, DAMAN
Facts
The assessee, a senior citizen widow, did not file her Income Tax Returns for AYs 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. The Assessing Officer (AO) completed ex-parte assessments, making significant additions for capital gains, business income, unexplained investments/cash deposits, and interest income, treating sales of land as capital gains. The assessee contested these, citing ill-health, seizure of records by local authorities, claims of double taxation, and the nature of credits as loans, but the CIT(A) upheld the AO's additions.
Held
The Tribunal found a clear violation of natural justice, noting that the CIT(A) failed to provide the assessee a copy of the remand report for rejoinder and an adequate opportunity of hearing, especially given her records were seized. It also observed that the assessee was regularly engaged in the business of land dealing and running a petrol pump, suggesting the income from land sales should be treated as business income. Consequently, all appeals were remitted back to the AO for fresh adjudication, with directions to grant the assessee a reasonable opportunity to present her case.
Key Issues
1. Whether income from the sale of land should be treated as business income or capital gains. 2. Justification of various additions made by the AO for unexplained investments, cash deposits, and interest income. 3. Whether the principles of natural justice were violated by the CIT(A) by not providing the assessee with the remand report and an opportunity for rejoinder.
Sections Cited
Section 250, Income-tax Act, 1961, Section 147, Section 144, Section 144B, Section 69, Section 131(1A), Section 80T, Section 28, Sub-section (13) of Section 2, Section 250(4), Rule 46A, Income-tax Rules, 1962, Rule 34 of ITAT Rules, 1963
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Before: SHRI SIDDHARTHA NAUTIYAL & SHRI BIJAYANANDA PRUSETH
आदेश / O R D E R PER BIJAYANANDA PRUSETH, AM: These four appeals by the assessee emanate from separate orders
passed under section 250 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (in short, ‘the Act’) by
the National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi/Commissioner of Income-tax
(Appeals) [in short, “NFAC/CIT(E)”] all dated 13.08.2024, for the Assessment
Years (AY) 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, which in turn arose out of
assessment orders passed by Assessing Officer (in short, ‘AO’) u/s 147 r.w.s.
144 r.w.s.144B of the Act on 26.12.2018, 25.03.2022 and 28.03.2022
respectively. In all the appeals, the facts are common and grounds of appeals
raised by the assessee are similar except variance of amounts. Hence, with the
consent of the parties, all the appeals were clubbed and heard together and
are decided by this consolidated order for sake of convenience and brevity.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
Grounds of appeal raised by the assessee for different years are as under:
ITA No.1035/SRT/2024 (AY 2011-12)
“1. I am a senior citizen widow lady, I am a tax compliant citizen. In the past I lost my husband (ex MP Daman) during unfortunate corona pandemic. Since then I was not in stable healthy/mental condition to follow up and comply the departmental notices. I have discontinued all business activities. Even now, I am struggling with my bad health. 2. In para-10 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.33,50,268. This is based on the estimated income of 2.8% on turnover of Rs.11,96,52,434. Whereas the profit and loss already submitted/declared and on record with the shows the profit of Rs.33,30,581.25 on turnover of Rs.10,93,44,350. These figures were arrived by considering all the entries in the bank statements ass discussed in the order. But Assessing Office hypothetically increased the turnover and profit percentage on estimated basis. 3. In para 11 of the assessment order thee is an addition of Rs.4,13,17,078. This is based on the analysis of other bank statements. These additions are against the facts of the case. All receipts are not income. There are certain transactions among the family member, which are not income. There is capital gain on certain transactions. Even cash deposits are from cash-in-hand or cash withdrawal occasionally. All cash deposits are not income. 4. In para 12 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.20,00,000 as unexplained investments. All fixed deposits are made and paid from the bank accounts itself. It is evident from the bank statements, where from fixed deposits are made.in the previous two paragraphs all the credit entries are added as income. Then fixed deposits creation is outflow from the inflow already added as income. This addition is the fit case of DOUBLE TXATION. Once as the credit entries in the bank and second as the fixed deposit creation outflow from the bank. 5. In para 13 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.3,00,000 as rental income. This, we already have offered as income. 6. In para 14 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.9,69,119 as unaccounted interest income. These receipts were already added as income and taxed in para 10 & 11 of the order. This is evident from the para 10 & 11 explanations. Where all bank credit entries were considered as income. These receipts were already considered as income at the time of making addition of credit entries. This is again the case of DOUBLE TAXATION. 7. In para 15 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.15,75,764. This income is already taxed in para 10 of the order. This is evident from the profit and loss account affixed & considered in the para 10 of the order. This
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
fig is clearly showing in the profit and loss account as income. This is again the case of DOUBLE TAXATION. 8. In para 16 of the assessment order thee is an addition of Rs.60,37,040 as profit from sale of shares. These receipts were already added as income and taxed in para 10 & 11 of the order. This is evident from the para 10 &11 explanations. Where all bank credit entries were considered as income. These receipts were already considered as income at the time of making addition of credit entries. This is the case of DOUBLE TAXATION. Once as receipts of amount and second as profit on sale of these receipts. When full receipts were added as income, then adding profit on sale is the case of double taxation. 9. In para 17 of the assessment order there is an addition of Rs.3,65,000 as interest income on KVP. The interest is calculated on estimated basis.”
ITA No.1036/SRT/2024 (AY 2013-14) “1. I am a senior citizen widow lady. I am a tax complaint citizen. In the past I lost my husband (ex MP Daman) during unfortunate corona pandemic. Since then I was not in stable healthy/mental condition to follow up and comply the departmental notices. I have discontinued all business activities. Even now, I am struggling with my bad health.
In the assessment year under consideration, there were sale of land for Rs.97,02,500 and Rs.1,19,87,500 (vide related survey numbers 136, 138, 137 etc.) 2.1 in para 6 of the A.Yr. 2013-14, assessment order under the head “income from capital gain”. The entire sale proceeds are considered as ‘SHORT TERM CAPITAL GAIN” without appreciating the facts of actual date of purchases of the same land. The lands were purchased in financial years, 2006-07, 2007-08 onwards. The gain in this case is Long term capital gain not short term capital gain as considered in the order. 2.2. Even the purchase consideration and improvement thereon was considered as NIL. This is an absurd consideration for raising an exorbitant demand to make a dossier case without appreciating the facts of the case. Calculation of LTCG is attached in annexure of the submission. 2.3. These additions may be deleted/corrected considering the facts of the case. 3. In para 7 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2013-14 an income of Rs.38,30,450 was added under the head “income from other sources”. These time deposits are not made out of the current year’s income. These time deposits are not the income of the current year. These are accumulating with interest from the previous year/years. These additions are against the facts of the case. This may be deleted.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
3.1 These deposits are added as the UNEXPLAINED INVESTMENTS under sec. 69 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3.2 As per sec 69 unexplained investments are investments made are not recorded in books of account. This is not the fact. All investments are well recorded and accounted for in the records. Time deposits referred as income in the order are continuing from the previous year as cumulative balances. These are not unexplained investments. These are well recorded investments in the form of time deposit continuing from previous year. 4. In para 6 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2013-14 an income from interest of Rs.23,72,006 was added under the head “income from other sources”. These interest incomes may be considered as income after sec 80T deductions. I already have offered this as income. In the computation shown these incomes are considered as taxable income. The TDS deducted on these interest income are not considered in the demand calculation. These may be allowed. This will accordingly reduce the demand for recovery. 5. In para 6 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2013-14 an income from business of Rs.46,82,588 was added. This is gross receipts. Total gross receipts cannot be the taxable income. Considering the generally acceptable norms 8% of the gross receipt i.e. Rs.3,74,607 is the taxable income. Thus business income of Rs.3,74,607 maybe considered as taxable income. This is considered in the computation of income. 6. In para 6 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2013-14 an addition of income under the head “unexplained money” of Rs.16,50,000 was made. These cash deposits were out of cash withdrawals on different dates during the year and balance cash-in-hand/chest. These are not taxable income for the current year. This may be deleted. 7. In the order rental income of Rs.6,00,000 is added as rental income. Whereas the facts is rental income of Rs.25000 P.M. amounting to Rs.3,00,000 is the correct i9ncome instead of Rs.6,00,000. It is evident from the 26AS. TDS of Rs.30,000 is deducted from the correct income of Rs.3,00,000/-. Correct rental income is Rs.2,10,000/- after deduction as shown in the computation. It may be corrected. 8. I further request for early hearing of my appeals so that I may get relief against the undue exorbitant tax dues.” ITA No.1037/Srt/2024 (A.Y. 2014-15) “1. I am a senior citizen widow lady. I am a tax compliant citizen. In the past I lost my husband (ex MP Daman) during unfortunate corona pandemic. Since then I was not in stable healthy/mental condition to follow up and comply the departmental notices. I already have discontinued all my business activities since long. Currently I am struggling with my bad health.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
In the assessment year under consideration, there was a sale of land for Rs.62,55,000 (vide related survey numbers 136, 138, 137 etc). 2.1 In para 6 of the A.Yr. 2014-15 assessment order under the head “income from capital gain”. The entire sale proceeds are considered as “SHORT TERM CAPITAL GAIN” without appreciating the facts of actual date of purchases of the same land, which were in financial year 2007-08 and so on. This gain is long term capital gain not short term capital gain as considered in the order. This may be corrected and long term gain may be considered. 2.2 Even the purchase consideration and improvement thereon was considered as NIL. This is an absurd consideration for raising an exorbitant demand to make a dossier case without appreciating the facts of the case. Calculation of LTCG is evident in the Annexure. 2.3 These additions may be deleted/corrected considering the facts of the case and demand may be reduced accordingly. 3. In para 7 of the assessment order for the A.Yr 2014-15 an income of Rs.23,88,317 was added under the head “income from other sources”. These time deposits are not made out of the current year’s income. These time deposits are not the income of the current year. These are continuing from the previous year/years. These additions are against the facts of the case. This may be deleted. 4. In para 7 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2014-15 an income from interest of Rs.6,64,435 was added under the head “income from other sources”. These interest incomes may be considered as income after Sec.80T deductions. Even the TDS deducted on these interests are not deducted from demand calculation of the order. These may be allowed to reduce the demand. This will accordingly reduce the demand for recovery. 5. In para 9 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2014-15 an income from business of Rs.14,62,549 was added. This is total gross receipts. Total gross receipts cannot be the table income 8% of the gross receipt i.e. 1,17,004 is the table income. This is as per the accepted norms of 8% of gross receipts, thus business income of Rs.1,17,004 may be considered as taxable income. 6. I further request for early hearing of my appeals so that I may get relief against the undue exorbitant tax dues.” ITA No.1038/Srt/2024 (A.Y.2015-16) “1. I am a senior citizen widow lady. I am a tax compliant citizen. In the past I lost my husband (ex MP Daman) during unfortunate corona pandemic. Since then I was not in stable healthy/mental condition to follow up and comply the departmental notices. I already have discontinued all my business activities since long. Currently I am struggling with my bad health.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
In the assessment year under consideration, there were a sale of two portion lands for Rs.4,01,40,000 and for Rs.40,50,000 (vide related survey numbers 136, 138, 137 etc). 2.1 In para 6 of the A.Yr. 2015-16 assessment order under the head “income from capital gain”. The entire sale proceeds are considered as “SHORT TERM CAPITAL GAIN” without appreciating the facts of actual date of purchases of the same land, which were in financial year 2007-08. These are long term capital gain not the short term capital gain as considered in the order. 2.2 Even the purchase consideration and improvement thereon was considered as NIL. This is an absurd consideration for raising an exorbitant demand to make a dossier case without appreciating the facts of the case. Calculation of LTCG is evident in Annexure. 2.3 These additions may be deleted/corrected considering the facts of the case and demand may be reduced accordingly. 3. In para 7 of the assessment order for the A.Yr 2015-16 an income of Rs.32,75,000 was added under the head “income from other sources” as cash deposit. The cash deposits are out of cash withdrawal from the previous dates from the banks and cash-in-hand from the previous years. Even cash were received from the relatives during the year. These additions are against the facts of the case. This may be deleted. 4. In para 7 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2015-16 an income from interest of Rs.5,57,409 was added under the head “income from other sources”. These interest incomes may be considered as income after Sec.80T deductions as offered in computation of income. Even the TDS deducted on these interests are not deducted from demand calculation of the order. These may be allowed to reduce the demand. This will accordingly reduce the demand for recovery. 5. In para 9 of the assessment order for the A.Yr. 2015-16 an income from business of Rs.6,11,400 was added. This is total gross receipts. Total gross receipts cannot be the table income 8% of the gross receipt i.e. Rs.48,912 is the table income, which is as per the accepted norms. Thus business income of Rs.48.912 may be considered as taxable income. 6. I further request for early hearing of my appeals so that I may get relief against the undue exorbitant tax dues.”
Appeal in ITA No.1035/Srt/2024 for A.Y. 2011-12 is taken up as the
“lead” case. The CIT(A) has also relied on his appellate order for A.Y 2011-12
while disposing of appeals for other three AYs.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
Facts of the case in brief are that appellant did not file her return of
income for AY 2011-12. The appellant had sold immovable property and
deposited substantial cash in the bank accounts with HDFC Bank. Accordingly,
after recording reasons for escapement of income and after obtaining approval
from Competent Authority, notice u/s 148 was on 27.03.2018. However,
assessee did not file her return in response to the said notice. Thereafter, the
AO has issued five notices and show cause notice which are mentioned at
page-2 of the assessment order. There was no compliance to any of the
notices issued by the AO. Hence, AO has completed assessment proceedings
ex parte u/s 144 of the Act. Before passing the order, he issued another show
cause notice requiring assessee to explain as to why the sale consideration of
two properties amounting to Rs.4,23,07,500/- be not added as capital gains.
The assessee replied that due to some legal disputes and investigation, all lap
top/computer and related records were seized by the local authority. She
requested to allow further time to make the submission. However, no further
submission was made till finalization of the assessment order. The AO,
however, called for the information from the Sub-Registrar to find out cost and
year of the acquisition of the property at survey No.165/3 sold deriving the
year by assessee. He allowed cost of acquisition of Rs.17,10,000/- out of the
assessee’s share of Rs.62,70,000/- and added Rs.45,60,000/- as short-term
capital gain.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
4.1 Similarly, the AO allowed index cost of acquisition in respect of the
property mentioned at para-5.2 of the assessment order and added
Rs.1,05,17,905/- as long-term capital gains. The consideration received from
the remaining properties were taxed as short-term capital gains after allowing
cost of acquisition. The addition of STCG was Rs.1,60,80,000/-, which is at
para-5.3 of the assessment order.
4.2 The AO has discussed about the survey u/s 133A of the Act conducted
by ADIT(Inv), Unit-2, Vapi wherein assessee had submitted her profit and loss
account showing net income of Rs.2,13,66,916/-. However, the assessee had
not filed any return of income. The AO issued show cause notice and
requested assessee to submit details and nature of income reported in the
profit and loss statement along with supporting evidences. The assessee filed a
reply asking for further adjournment which was not accepted by AO. The AO
thereafter reproduced statement of Shri Surendra Babubhai Patel, accountant
of the assessee, recorded u/s 131(1A) of the Act by the ADIT(Inv.) He had
replied that assessee was owner of a petrol pump from FYs 2009-10 to 2014-
The assessee had also purchased two trucks (dumper) in AY 2012-13. From
the profit and loss account of C.D Petroleum for the year ended 31.03.2011,
the net profit was shown at Rs.30,30,591/-, which was added by AO as income
from the petrol pump. Further, from the other profit and loss account in the
name of Chandanaben D Patel-1, AO added other income of Rs.47,19,298/-.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
The AO has not allowed expenses of Rs.31,42,213/- in absence of any
explanation by assessee to justify the expenses.
4.3 The AO also added Rs.6,81,005/-, being profit @ 3.25% on account of
difference of receipt of Rs.2,09,54,009/- on account of C.D. Petroleum-2
because out of total deposits of Rs.13,91,98,359/- only Rs.10,93,44,350/- was
shown as sales by the appellant. The AO has, however, excluded cash deposit
of Rs.89,00,000/- while working out profit on the above difference.
4.4 The AO found that assessee was maintaining seven bank accounts
which are mentioned at page-15 of the assessment order. He has added total
deposits of Rs.1,85,09,780/-, Rs.20,00,000/-, Rs.2,16,34,384/- and
Rs.18,00,000/- totalling to Rs.4,39,44,164/- in five bank accounts because the
assessee failed to explain these amounts during assessment proceedings by
submitting requisite details. The AO observed that the amounts do not pertain
to inter-bank transfers or sale proceeds of properties.
4.5 The AO has also discussed about various cash deposits of
Rs.2,05,00,000/- in four bank accounts at para-9 of the assessment order. After
listing the date and amount of deposits, he has trifurcated the deposits into
three periods i.e., 06.04.2010 to 08.05.2010, 21.06.2010 to 25.10.2010 and
19.03.2011 to 31.03.2011. During the above periods cash of Rs.1,08,00,000/-,
Rs.35,00,000/- and Rs.62,00,000/- were deposited by the assessee. The AO
found that the assessee sold three properties to M/s Wellknown Polyesters
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
Ltd. and M/s Alkem Laboratories Ltd. The AO has extracted copy of the
documents impounded from the premises of M/s Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
wherein cash payment of Rs.1,92,06,000/- was made by the said company. The
share of the assessee was Rs.55,40,937/-. Since this amount was closer to cash
deposit of Rs.62,00,000/-, AO added Rs.62,00,000/- as on-money received in
cash. Similarly, he added Rs.1,08,00,000/- as cash on-money on account of the
other properties sold on 29.04.2010 to M/s Wellknown Polyester Ltd. The AO
also added another sum of Rs.35,00,000/-, being the cash deposit in SBI during
21.06.2010 to 25.10.2010 because assessee failed to explain the nature and
source of such cash deposits. In the result, the AO added Rs.10,40,32,963/- to
the total income of assessee. The total income was determined at Rs.10,40,32,
960/-.
Aggrieved by the order of AO, assessee filed appeal before CIT(A). The
CIT(A) issues five notices between 24.12.2020 and 24.204.2023, in response to
which assessee filed written submission on 23.05.2023 and 31.05.2023. The
CIT(A) issued further notices on 10.01.2024, 08.04.2024 and 02.07.2024. He
has extracted the assessment order at pages 3 to 41 of the appellate order.
The submissions of the appellant are at pages 41 to 50 of the appellate order.
In the submission dated 23.05.2023, appellant submitted that she was not
keeping well after the death of her husband during the Covid-19. All the
business activities are either discontinued or mismanaged. She had a petrol
pump which was started by her husband. The other line of activity was sale
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
and purchase of lands. The AO has wrongly treated the profit on sale of lands
as income from capital gains instead of business income. In the subsequent
submission to the CIT(A), she again submitted that business profit had been
wrongly taxed under the head capital gain. The assessee had submitted the
profit and loss account in two parts, which had been wrongly treated as
separate profit and loss accounts by the AO. No business expenses were also
allowed by him. She also submitted that certain credits in bank accounts are
loans from family members and in any case, total credits cannot be taken as
sales. She further submitted that some income has been taxed twice. Other
credit entries include temporary advance from M/s Patel Builders and M/s
Patel Developers, which were wrongly added by AO. She also submitted that
loans were received from SBI against fixed deposits which has been incorrectly
added by the AO. It was also submitted that the cash deposits were out of the
cash withdrawals from the bank accounts. It was also submitted that the AO
himself is not sure about the cash deposits and he has used the word
“appears” many times in the order. Regarding the seized paper, in case of M/s
Alkem (supra), the paper was unsigned and name of the assessee was not
mentioned anywhere in the paper. Further, the transaction was done 11
months earlier from the date of survey on Alkem.
5.1 The above submissions were forwarded by the CIT(A) to the AO for
remand report because assessment order was passed u/s 144 of the Act. In the
remand report, the AO requested not to admit any additional evidence. In fact,
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
he submitted that no additional evidence had been submitted by the assessee,
as contended in her submission to the CIT(A). He referred to Rule-46A of the
Income-tax Rules, 1962 and contended that the assessee has not made out a
case of sufficient cause which prevented assessee from producing the
impugned evidences. Regarding the merit of additions, the AO has replied in a
tabular form which is at pages 55 to 57 of the appellate order. He submitted
that the assessee did not produce any relevant documents or evidences in
support of her claim due to which additions were made in the assessment
order.
5.2 After considering submissions of assessee and remand report, the
CIT(A) has given the decisions at pages 57 to 59 of the appellate order. He
observed that the assessee did not file any return of income nor any tax was
paid by the assessee. Only certain amount of TDS was made by the deductors,
credit of which was given by the AO. The assessee has also not maintained any
books of account and the accounts of the appellant are not audited despite the
sale amount running into crores of rupees. Even the interest income was not
offered for taxation. The assessee also did not file any reply to the AO and
even in course of appellate proceedings, two submissions were made without
any supporting evidences. The submissions are limited to controverting the
action of AO without giving any evidence or reasons as to why such actions are
incorrect. The CIT(A) further observed that the AO himself had tried to get
details from all possible sources and given credit wherever such details
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
warranted relief. The AO has also fairly reduced the credits which could be
explained by the assessee. Considering all these facts, the CIT(A) did not
interfere with the additions made by the AO and dismissed the appeal of
assessee.
Further aggrieved by the order of CIT(A) assessee has filed appeal
before the Tribunal. The Ld. AR of the assessee has mainly relied on the
submissions made before the lower authorities. He submitted that the main
source of income of the assessee was from the petrol pump in the name and
style of M/s. C.D Petroleum. The assessee was also engaged in sale and
purchase of lands during the relevant year under consideration. The income
from trading of land was shown as business income in the profit and loss
account. Advance tax was also paid on such profit, which is reflected in 26AS of
the year. However, the AO has assessed the income from land dealing as short-
term capital gains or long-term capital gains depending on the period of
holding. The assessee had submitted before AO that she had two sources of
income i.e., petrol pump and trading in land. Her monthly income from petrol
pump was Rs.40,000/- to Rs.50,000/-. The profit on sale of land has also been
included in the profit and loss account reproduced by the AO in the
assessment order. Profit on sale of land of Rs.1,71,31,940/- was reflected in
the profit and loss account at page 11 of assessment order. Hence, the AO was
not correct in taxing the profit on sale of land as capital gain.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
6.1 The Ld. AR also submitted that assessee had filed two written
submissions before the CIT(A) on 23.05.2023 and 31.05.2023. In the said
submissions, the assessee has contested various additions made by the AO.
The AO also did not allow the expenses against the income treated by him as
business income. Assessee also submitted that the AO has wrongly added all
the credits in the bank account which include amounts received from family
members as temporary advances and also loans received from various firms.
There are also transfer entries between different bank accounts whose
benefits were not given and the total credit of all banks have been considered
as income of assessee. The assessee had also withdrawn various amounts in
cash which were used for subsequent cash deposits in the banks, but AO has
made total additions of such deposits. Some credit entries are loans against
fixed deposits from SBI and such credits cannot be income of assessee. The Ld.
AR also submitted that a remand report was called for from the AO which was
submitted by him to the CITI(A) and it has been reproduced in pages 50 to 57
of the appellate order. The appellant was not given copy of the remand report
to offer her comments. The CIT(A) has simply relied on the findings of AO and
dismissed the appeal of assessee. He, therefore, requested that the appellate
order has been passed in the violation of the principles of natural justice.
On the other hand, Ld. Sr-DR for the Revenue supported the lower
authorities. He submitted that AO has passed a speaking order after granting
adequate opportunity of hearing to the assessee. He has allowed relief
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
wherever the circumstances so warranted. The assessee did not comply with
various notices issued by the AO. Despite non-compliance by the assessee, the
AO has obtained information from the registering authority and bankc and has
passed the order in a logical manner in accordance with law. Before CIT(A), the
appellant filed two written submissions which were duly forwarded to the AO
for remand report. The CIT(A) after receiving the remand report has
considered all facts on record and passed the appellate order confirming all
the additions because appellant did not support the claims in the written
submission with supporting evidences. Hence, the CIT(A) has rightly upheld
the additions made by the AO and dismissed the appeal.
We have heard both the parties and carefully perused the materials on
record. The AO has passed an ex parte order u/s 144 r.w.s. 147 of the Act due
to non-compliance by the assessee to the notices issued by him. He has
collected various information from the Sub Registrar regarding the cost and
year of acquisition of properties sold by the assessee during the year. He has,
thereafter, computed the profit on sale of land as short-term capital gain or
long-term capital gain, depending on the period of holding. However, we find
that the assessee was regularly dealing in sale and purchase of land during the
year. The large number of instances of property dealing, as evident from the
record, makes it clear that the nature of income was business income. The
appellant has carried on the land dealing business in a regular, organised and
systematic manner. The definition of “business” in sub-section (13) of Section
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
2 of the Act is an inclusive one and not exhaustive. The word “business”
connotes some real, substantial and systematic or organized course of
activities or conduct with a set purpose, normally with the objective of making
profit. Whether or not a person carried on business in a particular commodity,
would depend upon the volume, frequency, continuity and regularity of
transactions of purchase and sale of such commodity and the transaction must
ordinarily be entered into with a profit motive. It is seen from the facts on
record that the land transactions entered into by the assessee has all the
ingredients of business. Further, the accountant of appellant had also stated
before the ADIT(Inv.), Unit-2, Vapi in the statement recorded u/s 131(1A) that
the assessee had business income from petrol pump and trading in land.
Hence, we find merit in the contentions raised by the Ld.AR of assessee that
profit on sale of lands should be taxed under the head “Profits and gains of
business or profession” u/s 28 of the Act.
8.1 We find that the appellant has raised grounds on all the additions made
by the AO. The Ld. AR submitted that the appellant is a senior citizen. Her
husband died during the Covid-19 period. She was not in a stable and healthy
mental condition to comply with the notices issued by the CIT(A). The Ld. AR
also submitted that the business has been discontinued and mismanaged. Due
to some legal disputes and investigation, all computer/laptops and related
records were seized by the local authorities. Hence, complete details could not
be furnished before the lower authorities. However, written submissions were
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
duly filed before the CIT(A) explaining the facts of the case and incorrect
additions made by the AO. However, the CIT(A) has upheld all additions made
by the AO.
8.2 We have again perused the records in view of the submissions of the Ld.
counsels. It is seen that the AO has passed an ex parte order u/s 144 r.w.s. 147
of the Act due to non-compliance by the assessee. Before CIT(A), the assessee
filed two written submissions wherein it was submitted that even the business
expenses were not allowed by the AO on the wrong presumption that assessee
was not doing any business. The fact of the matter was that assessee actually
carried on business of petrol pump and land dealing during the subject year.
Further, all credits were considered as income of assessee ignoring the fact
that temporary advances were received by assessee from family members and
other firms. The assessee had also received loans from SBI against fixed
deposits, which were also considered as unexplained income. Further, the
papers found M/s Alkem Laboratories Ltd. was unsigned and did not bear the
name of the assessee. These facts were explained to the CIT(A) by the assessee
vide two written submissions (supra), who rightly forwarded the submissions
to the AO for remand report. The AO, in the remand report, objected to the
admission of additional evidence and has also reiterated the same reasons
given in the assessment order to contend that additions were made because
assessee did not produce any relevant documents/evidences before him.
However, we find that the CIT(A) has not forwarded a copy of the remand
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel
report to the assessee to file her rejoinder. The impugned appeal has been
filed by the assessee and she was entitled to rebut the objections of AO in the
remand report. However, the appellant was not given any opportunity by the
CIT(A) to file rejoinder to the remand report. The CIT(A) passed the appellate
order without eliciting reply of assessee on the remand report of the AO.
Further, the assessee also could not furnish details because the records were
seized by the local authorities. Hence, objection to additional evidence by
revenue is not proper. Further, on a conjoin reading of section 250 and Rule
46A, we find that the restrictions placed on appellant to produce evidence do
not affect the power of CIT(A) u/s 250(4) of the Act to make further enquiry as
he thinks fit before disposing of an appeal. Considering all these facts and the
clear statutory provisions, we find that there is clear violation of the principles
of natural justice. Hence, in the interest of justice, we set aside the order of Ld.
CIT(A) and remit the matter back to the file of AO with a direction to pass a
speaking order in accordance with law after granting adequate and reasonable
opportunity of being heard to the assessee. The assessee is also directed to be
vigilant and to furnish all details and explanation as needed by AO by not
seeking adjournment without valid reason. With this direction, the grounds of
appeal raised by the assessee are treated as allowed for statistical purposes.
In the result, assessee’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes.
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel ITA Nos.1036-1038/SRT/2024 (AYs 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2015-16)
We find that in all the above appeals, the CIT(A) has observed that the
facts of the case as well as issues involved in these appeals are same as in
assessee’s own case for AY 2011-12. Hence, for the reasons given in detail in
appeal order for AY 2011-12, the additions made by AO were confirmed. We
have already set aside the order of CIT(A) for AY 2011-12 in ITA
No.1035/Srt/2024 (supra) and restored the matter back to the file of AO for
fresh adjudication in accordance with law. Following the reasons given therein,
the orders of CIT(A) are also set aside and restored to the file of AO for fresh
adjudication after granting adequate and reasonable opportunity to the
assessee.
In the result, appeals of assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.
In combined result, four appeals of assessee are allowed for statistical purposes. A copy of the instant common order be placed in the respective case file(s),
Order pronounced in accordance with Rule 34 of ITAT Rules, 1963 on 09/06/2025 in the open court. Sd/- Sd/- (SIDDHARTHA NAUTIYAL) (BIJAYANANDA PRUSETH) �याियक सद�य/JUDICIAL MEMBER लेखा सद�य/ ACCOUNTANT MEMBER सूरत /Surat िदनांक/ Date: 09/06/2025 Dkp Outsourcing Sr.P.S*
ITA Nos.1035-1038/Srt/2024 (AYs 11-12,13-14 to 15-16 Chanchalben D Patel आदेश की प्रितिलिप अग्रेिषत/ Copy of the order forwarded to : अपीलाथीर्/ The Appellant प्र�यथीर्/ The Respondent आयकर आयुक्त/ CIT आयकर आयुक्त (अपील)/ The CIT(A) िवभागीय प्रितिनिध, आयकर अपीलीय आिधकरण, सूरत/ DR, ITAT, SURAT गाडर् फाईल/ Guard File
By order/आदेश से, सहायक पंजीकार आयकर अपीलीय अिधकरण, सूरत