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Facts
The assessee filed four appeals against the orders of the CIT(A) for assessment years 2016-17, 2019-20, and 2018-19. Two of these appeals were delayed by 175 days. The assessee had failed to substantiate its claims with relevant documents before the lower authorities.
Held
The Tribunal condoned the delay in filing the appeals, accepting the assessee's reasons for the delay. The Tribunal restored the issues to the file of the AO for fresh adjudication, directing the AO to provide the assessee with an adequate opportunity of being heard.
Key Issues
Whether the appeals filed by the assessee should be admitted despite the delay, and if the matter should be remanded to the AO for fresh adjudication.
Sections Cited
Section 254 of the Income Tax Act, 1961
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, CUTTACK BENCH CUTTACK
Before: SHRI GEORGE MATHAN & SHRI RAJESH KUMAR
O R D E R Per Bench : These are the appeals filed by the assessee against the separate orders of the Ld.CIT(A), National Faceless Appeal Centre(NFAC), Delhi, dated 31.01.2025 & 14.08.2025 for the assessment years 2016-17, 2019- 20, 2018-19. 2. Out of the above four appeals, for A.Y.2016-2017 & 2019-2020 are delayed by 175 days each in filing the appeals before the Tribunal. In this regard, the assessee has filed condonation application along with affidavit for condonation of delay stating therein sufficient reasons, which are not found to be false. Accordingly, the delay of 175 days in both the appeals of the assessee are condoned and appeals are admitted to be heard along with other appeals.
489, 505 & 558/CTK/2025 3. It was submitted by the ld.AR that the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed all the appeals of the assessee exparte. It was the prayer that the matter may be restored to the file of the ld. AO to decide the issue involved in the appeals afresh so that the assessee could be able to produce all the evidence to substantiate its claim.
In reply, ld Sr.DR vehemently supported the orders of the Assessing Officer and ld. CIT(A). It was the submission that if the issue is to be restored to the file of ld. AO, then a cost should be imposed.
We have considered the rival submissions. As it is noticed from the orders of the authorities below that the assessee could not substantiate its claim by providing relevant documents. Even the assessee was also failed to produce the evidences as required by the ld. CIT(A) and in absence of the same, the ld. CIT(A) has dismissed the appeals of the assessee. This being so, in the interest of justice, we restore the issues in these appeals to the file of ld. AO for adjudicating afresh after providing the assessee adequate opportunity of being heard. However, looking to the non- cooperation of the assessee during the course of appellate proceedings even after issuance of notices to the assessee by the ld. CIT(A), we impose a cost of Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) each on the assessee to be payable to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Bar Association, Sector-1, CDA, Cuttack-753014, within sixty days from the date of this order and receipt of the same would be produced before the AO at the first hearing. Should the assessee not pay the abovementioned costs within the prescribed period of sixty days from the date of this order, the order of the ld. CIT(A) shall stand confirmed.