HOPEWIN ADMARK & CONSULTANCY SERVICES PVT. LTD.,NEW DELHI vs. ITO, WARD- 11(2), NEW DELHI

The Representatives of both the sides agreed that facts of may be taken into consideration in the disposal of the appeals. On such concessions I have heard both the Representatives on the facts of ITA No. 1618/Del/2018.

Briefly stated the facts of the case are that original assessment was framed u/s. 143(3) of the I.T. Act, 1961 vide order dated 30.12.2010. The matter travelled to the Tribunal and the Tribunal in ITA No. 6272/Del/2015 vide order 1.3.2016 restored the matter to the file of the AO. The relevant findings of the Tribunal are reproduced as under:- “3. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the relevant material. Though there is a reference in the assessment order to the statement of Shri Vishal Aggarwal recorded in the year 2005 who admitted that his companies were engaged in providing accommodation entries, but, the AO has not linked any such transaction. He has simply added Rs.36,000/- on protective basis, being the amount which was voluntarily credited by the assessee to the Profit & Loss Account. In the absence of any link manifestly brought out by the AO, we are unable to understand as to how addition of Rs.36,000/- was made on protective basis and upheld in the first appeal. It is further observed that the AO referred to 1% commission on Rs.36,000/-, but, he determined the amount at Rs.3,600/- as against the correct amount which ought to have been Rs.360/-, being 1% of Rs.36,000/-. Under such circumstances, we set aside the impugned order and remit the matter to the file of AO for making a proper nexus of the racket of accommodation entries with the assessee’s accounts, so as to justify the addition. In such fresh proceedings, he will also proportionately reduce the amount of commission income. Needless to say, the assessee will be allowed a reasonable opportunity of being heard in such fresh proceedings.

Both the sides are in agreement that the facts and circumstances of the other appeal in by Hopewin Admark & Consultancy Services (P) Ltd. are mutatis mutandis similar to those of ITA No.6272/Del/2015 discussed above. Following the view taken in the case of Homeway Marketing (P) Ltd., we set aside the impugned order and remit the matter to the file of AO for deciding it afresh in conformity with our decision rendered in the case of Homeway Marketing (P) Ltd. (supra).”

I have given the thoughtful consideration to the orders of the authorities below. I have also carefully gone through the decision of the Coordinate Bench (Supra). The undisputed fact is that the AO has made protective addition of Rs. 36,000/-. However, when I asked the Ld. DR in whose hands substantive addition have been made, the Ld. DR could not reply to the query. In my considered opinion, the AO has made the addition without any basis simply relying upon the statements of third parties without bringing any cogent direct material on record. Therefore, in my considered opinion such additions cannot be sustained which are devoid of any merit. I accordingly set aside the findings of the Ld. CIT(A) and direct the AO to delete the impugned additions.

In the result, appeals of both the Assessees are accordingly allowed.