THE ACIT, CEN. CIR.-2, RAJKOT, RAJKOT vs. EXPERT PARTICLE BOARD, MORBI

Ld. CIT(A) has deleted the addition of Rs.6,77,34,130/- made u/s 69A of the I.T. Act erred in ignoring the facts that the amount reflects in the impounded diary are credit side of diary impounded during the course of search/survey proceedings and it reflects unexplained receipt in cash u/s 69A of the I.T.Act.

3. Ld. CIT(A) erred in deleting the addition made u/s 37 of the Act amounting to Rs.54,04,130/- considered as the assessee has not claimed any deduction of alleged figure of purchases in the books, however, the findings of the Ld. CIT(A) is contrary to the facts of the case.

4. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in deleting the addition of Rs. 1,48,89,125/-made on account of unexplained investment u/s 69B of the I.T. Act. 5.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in ignoring the facts that one of the partner of the assessee- firm himself has agreed that the nothings are related to the purchase of land of the factory. 6.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, AO has duly investigated and applied his mind on the report of the DDIT, Investigation wing and after satisfying himself in framing the assessment on the basis of cogent material and relevant evidence on record.

7.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in ignoring the facts that the unaccounted investment in land was duly recorded in Note book/diary found during the course of survey and Ld. CIT(A) has deleted the protective addition made in the hands of the partner.

8. The assessee prays that the order of the learned Commissioner (Appeals) on the above ground be set aside and the addition made in the Assessment order may kindly be restored.”

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 4 5. During the course of survey proceedings u/s. 133A at office of Bhagwanjibhai P, amrutiya alias BhupatAmrutiya at Shop No- F-4, First Floor, Darshan Plaza, Near Vardhaman residency, Morbi, a satakhat (agreement) (in original) containing heading of “avejrakamnipahonch” was found. On verification it was noticed by the assessing officer that a land bearing survey number -111, situated at Vill- Ravapar Nadi and on which the premises of expert particle board is located, was purchased in the name of Expert Particle Board with a total purchase consideration of Rs. 1,55,89,125/-. However, the sales registration deed was executed for Rs. 7,00,000/- only. Further, during the course of survey proceedings, Statement of Bhupendra B Patel, partner of Expert Particle Board was recorded on oath and the above transaction was confronted with him. In his statement, he admitted that he along with his partners purchased a land at Ravapar Nadi village for establishing the factory premises of Expert Particle Board and the total consideration for the said transaction was decided for Rs.1,55,89,125/- and sale deed (document) was executed of only Rs. 7,00,000/-, for which payment has been made through demand draft no. 013955 on 21/04/2018 and the same has been duly accounted for in the books of accounts. Further, he had admitted that the remaining payment for Rs.1,48,89,125/-, was to be paid by cash and out of which cash payment of Rs. 50,00,000/- was paid on 06/04/2018 and Rs. 67,89,125/- was paid on 06/11/2018 and the balance payment of Rs. 31,00,000/- was shown payable at that time. He further stated that the as per condition of agreement (satakhat)the seller will charge interest @ of 1 % per month for balance amount. He also admitted in his statement that the above cash transactions are not reflected in the books of accounts of the firm and accordingly, the source of the differential amount paid in cash of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- remains unexplained. In this regard, assessee has not furnished any cogent reply to explain the source of investment made in cash of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- in purchase of said land.

7.In this regard, the reply was submitted by assessee that the above transaction is not related to M/s. Expert Particle Board.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 6 8. However, the assessing officer did not accept the reply of the assessee and noticed that assessee has also submitted the copies of affidavits of the partners to the effect that partners have not paid any cash payment for purchase of land or for any other purpose to expert particle board, however, in this regard, the assessing officer noted that the actual facts were admitted by one of the partner Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya in his statement recorded u/s under oath u/s 131(1A) of the Act and categorically has stated that the cash transactions mentioned in the diary are unaccounted transactions and no tax has been paid on this amount. The entries made on credit side is the amount so received from the partners and entries on the debit side is relevant to the expenses made on various heads including the expense which is in nature of the capital expenditure and it is worthwhile to note here the entries made on debit side also reflects the payment made for purchase of land as discussed in the “Satakhat” which clearly indicates that the transactions recorded in the dairy belongs to the assessee only.

10.During the assessment proceedings, in response to the notices issued by the assessing officer, the assessee submitted its reply before the AO. The reply of the assessee made during the assessment proceedings is reproduced below:

“….We have been served with the above-stated notice requiring us to show cause as to why additions / disallowances aggregating to Rs. 8,80,27,385/- should not be made u/s. 69A, 69B & 37 of the Act. In this connection, we in addition to our earlier replies in the same issue further submit as under: As regard the allegation of unexplained investment in land of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- on the basis of alleged Satakhat (agreement) impounded during the survey action carried out at the office of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya, it is to submit that we have not paid any amount for purchase of land situated at Survey No. 111, Village RavaparNadi, Morbi over and above the consideration of Rs. 7,00,000/- reflected in the registered sale deed. Therefore, allegation of cash payment made on the basis of so-called Satakhat impounded from the premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya is strongly objected. Without prejudice to the above, on verification of copy of impounded agreement provided to us, it is seen that said agreement was signed by Shri Bhagwanjibhai Prabhubhai Amrutiya alone and not by any other partner(s) of the firm. Here, it needs mention that the assessee firm has not given any authority or power of attorney to Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya to enter into any such agreement and hence, in absence of signature of other partners in the said agreement, the same cannot be made binding on the assessee firm. In view of the above, impugned agreement executed and signed by only one partner without having any authority or power given by the other partners / firm is invalid. It needs mention that registered sale deed executed contains signature of all partners. Further, on para-2 of the said agreement, it is mentioned that the deal for purchase of land for consideration of Rs. 1,55,89,125/- was finalized on 18-03-2018. However, the partnership firm between the partners of Expert Particle Board was came into existence on 02.04.2018 only. Therefore, there is no sanctity or credibility of alleged deal agreed by Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya (without having consent of other partners) before 02.04.2018 and any such transaction / deal cannot be binding on the assessee firm. It is also seen on last para of the agreement, where it is mentioned that the balance sum of Rs. 98,89,125/- is payable on or before 06.11.2018. However, as submitted in the notice, Shri Bhupendra B Patel in his statement recorded during the survey stated that sum of Rs. 31,00,000/- is yet to be paid on the date of survey, i.e., on 03.01.2019.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 8 In this connection, it is to submit that the registered conveyance deed of the land was executed on 26.04.2018 and entire consideration (which is at par with the valuation prescribed by State Government for levying stamp duty) has been paid by account payee cheque / DD. Your good self may appreciate that no prudent person can take risk of transferring title and handing over possession of property without receiving substantial portion of consideration. Therefore, in this case, a small farmer having meagre income is not expected to have transferred the title deeds and possession of property against receipt of only 37% of agreed amount of consideration. Hence, terms & conditions of impugned agreement to sale signed by Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya is against the normal human probabilities, which raise doubt on the credibility of such document. Also, last date of payment of full consideration in the said agreement, i.e., 06.11.2018 is not matched with the statement of Shri Bhupendra B Patel. This further raise eyebrows on the content of said agreement to sale. In view of the above, agreement impounded during the survey carried out at the premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Prabhubhai Amrutiya is in itself contradictory and lacks legal support and hence, addition proposed merely on the basis of such agreement without having any other circumstantial evidence related to exchange of cash between parties is strongly objected. As regard the reliance placed on the statement recorded from Shri Bhupendra Patel, it is to submit that Shri Bhupendra Patel in the post-survey proceeding in his reply dated 08.05.2019 in response to summons dated 01.05.2019 categorically clarified that he is not aware regarding any noting made in the material impounded from the office premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya. Further, he had in his affidavit dated 17.05.2019 (on record) categorically clarified the facts and circumstances in which his statement was recorded and also stated that he is not aware regarding any documents impounded from the office premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya. Therefore, reliance made by your good self on the retracted statement is totally misplaced. It is also submitted that on being discussed with Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya regarding such document, he had stated that such agreement was drafted and managed to signed for the purpose of showing inflated value of property to the banker so as to avail bank loan by mortgaging the property. Therefore, it is clear that no actual transaction took place as per the impugned agreement impounded during the survey. Hence, allegation of cash payment made by the assessee firm of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- is strongly objected. Without prejudice to the above, it is also submitted that noting / transaction in the documents impounded from the premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai P. Amrutiya are prepared and maintained by him in his own way, which is not binding on the firm or other partners of the firm. As regard the allegation of cash receipt of Rs. 6,77,34,130/- by the assessee firm as per the diary impounded at Annexure A-1 from the office premises of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amruitya, it is to submit that during the post-search investigation, we had in reply dated 08.05.2019 filed before the ADIT(Inv)-1, Rajkot categorically stated that we are not aware regarding alleged cash receipts by the firm and we have ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 9 not received any cash from any of the person / concern. Therefore, alleged cash receipts / unaccounted transaction in the so-called impounded diary are not related to us and therefore, addition proposed u/s. 69A of the Act is strongly objected. Without prejudice to the above, following are the undisputed facts – Survey action u/s. 133A of the Act was carried out in the personal case of Shri BhagwanjibhaiAmrutiya in conjunction with the searches / surveys carried out in the Coral Group of Morbi. There was no any survey / search action carried out in the case of other partners or in the case of firm. During the post-survey, the assessee firm as well as partners of the firm categorically denied to have carried out any transaction as per noting made in the said impounded diary. Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amruitya in his reply furnished before the investigation wing as well as in his affidavit dated 16.05.2019 stated the reasons behind maintaining such diary, i.e., window-dressing book results of the firm in order to avail higher finance from bank or finance institute. Certain noting in the impounded diary falls prior to the formation of assessee firm and there is continuous flow of transactions. This reveals that the noting in the impounded diary has not actually been carried out by the assessee firm as the firm was not existence at the time of inception of diary. Actual cash received by the assessee firm from partners as per regular books of account are not mentioned in the impounded note-book. Therefore, the person who has prepared the diary at the instance of Shri BhagwanjiAmrutia has not even considered the real transactions as per the books of account and jotted the figures as per this understanding, which proves that there is no legal sanctity of impounded diary. The above undisputed facts clearly reveals that the noting in the impounded diary is not complete and represent the actual transaction took place, but the same are notional / projected / estimated figures in order to inflate the valuation of assets in the books of account and to get higher finance from bank. It is also submitted that during the course of survey or post-survey investigation, no other corroborative or circumstantial evidences are found suggesting such huge cash receipt & payment by the assessee firm as mentioned in the impounded diary. Importantly, all the partners including Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya have furnished affidavits denying the noting made in the impounded diary with actual state of affairs of the assessee firm. Once the author of the diary himself has stated that the transactions mentioned in the diary are not real, it loses the sanctity, and no addition could be made merely on suspicion, conjectures and surmises. The unsubstantiated diary jottings cannot be considered as a conclusive evidence to make any evidence towards undisclosed income. Hon'ble Supreme Court has in the case of CBI Vs. V.C. Shukla 3 SCC 410 ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 10 has held that “file containing loose sheets or papers are not books” and hence entry therein are not admissible u/s. 34 of the Evidence Act, 1872. Similarly, in the present case, the impounded material having certain entries in the name of the partners, which was presumed as unaccounted investment, is not corroborated with any independent materials and entries therein are totally unsubstantiated. Therefore, on that basis one cannot reach to the conclusion that figures mentioned therein are the undisclosed receipts in the year under consideration in the case of the assessee firm. Without prejudice to the above, it may not be out of place to reiterate that the impugned diary was found and impounded from the possession of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya and he had in his affidavit clarified that the noting in the said diary was made at his direction (not written by him) so as to avail higher bank finance for the assessee firm. Therefore, how the noting was made and purpose behind such noting is best known to Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya and on this count, no addition can be made in the hands of the assessee firm. It is also submitted that provision of Section 292C of the Act requires to frame presumption on the person in whose case survey was carried out, i.e., Shri BhagwanjibhaiAmrutiya. Therefore, since the assessee firm was not subjected to survey / search, it cannot be made responsible for the documents impounded from the premises of its partner in absence of any other corroborative evidences related to exchange of cash between partner and the firm. Your good self on page 5 & 6 quoted various case laws related to evidentiary value of statements recorded. However, it is submitted that all such case laws are related to statements recorded u/s. 132(4) of the Act during the search or the statements for which no retraction affidavit has been filed by the assessee. Therefore, the case laws relied upon by your good self are altogether on different facts, which cannot be made applicable in the case under consideration. The assessee submits that the statement recorded u/s. 133A of the Act has no evidentiary value as the statement recorded without any oath. Therefore, in absence of any circumstantial evidences, no addition can be made on the basis of statement recorded during the survey in the case of third party. In this regard, reliance is placed on the decision of Hon’ble Madras High Court in the case of CIT Vs. S. Khader Khan Son (2008) 300 ITR 157 (Mad.), which has also been upheld by Hon’ble Supreme Court in 254 CTR 228(SC) by dismissing the SLP of the revenue. Reliance also placed on the decision of Hon’ble Kerala High Court in the case of Paul Mathews & Sons vs. CIT (2003) 263 ITR 101 (Ker.), wherein, it is held that section 133A empowers the authority to record the statement of any person, which may be useful for, or relevant to any proceeding under the Act. This section only enables the authority to record any statement of any person, which may be useful, but does not authorise for taking any sworn statement. On the other hand, such power to examine a person on oath is specifically conferred on the authorized officer u/s. 132(4) of the I.T Act, 1961. The statement recorded by an officer on oath will be used as evidence in any proceeding, whereas statement recorded u/s. 133A has not given any evidentiary value because it was recorded by the authority, which has not been empowered to administer the oath to the assessee and take sworn statement.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 11 In view of the above, addition proposed in the hands of assessee firm is devoid of any merits and hence, the same is strongly objected. Without prejudice to the above, your good self on page no. 5 of the notice observed that debit side of the impounded diary reflects the payment made for purchase of land, which is as per the Satakhat (agreement) impounded (discussed above). In this context, without admitting anything in any manner, it is requested to not to make any addition to the extent of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- on the basis of impounded diary as the same shall result into double addition. As regard the allegation of cash receipt of Rs. 2,00,000/- from Alpha Entech (Guj) and Rs. 52,04,130/- from Anuradha Oil, Mumbai and on the basis of which proposal to disallow the purchase u/s. 37 of the Act, it is to submit that we have not received any cash against the purchases booked in the books of account and hence, proposal to disallow the purchase is strongly objected. As submitted hereinabove, the noting in the impounded diary is made by someone as per the instruction of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya and in this regard, Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya in his reply before the investigation wing and in his affidavit categorically clarified the purpose / object behind preparing such diary. Therefore, it is clear that the noting in the impounded diary is not actual transaction took place. In view of the above, it is requested to not to make any disallowance on this count and oblige.”

(i)Addition of Rs. 1,48,89,125/-, u/s. 69B of the Act, as amount of investment not disclosed in the books of account.

(ii)Addition of Rs. 6,77,34,130/-, on account of unexplained receipt of cash u/s. 69A of the Act.

(iii)Addition of Rs. 54,04,130/- on account of bogus purchase u/s 37 of the Act.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 12 12. Aggrieved by the order of the assessing officer, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the ld.CIT(A), who has deleted the addition made by the assessing officer. About the addition of Rs. 6,77,34,130/-, the ld.CIT(A) observed that the AO had already made the addition of the entire notebook in the hands of Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya and thus, he had discharged the presumption laid in section 292C of the Act, by presuming that the said notebook belongs to the person from whom it was found and impounded. The assessee firm had not even started commercial production and hence, it was not possible for the assessee firm to have such large cash transactions.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 14 17.The ld.DR also stated that before the AO it was argued by the assessee that peak credit should be allowed to the assessee, however, the cash book of the assessee, which contained accounted and unaccounted transactions, therefore, peak credit should not be allowed. Besides, the affidavit filed by the partners should also to be rejected, as it is, after thought to mislead the revenue. The ld.DR further submitted that on-money paid by the assessee to purchase certain items and the cash receipts shown in the cash book also pertains to on-money and the assessee failed to explain the same. However, the assessee is entitled for telescopic benefit, and the same may be given to the assessee.

20.Apart from this, the ld.Counsel for the assessee submitted that decisions relied upon by the ld.DR for the Revenue related to share capital, and since the share capital issue is a separate issue and here in the case of the assessee, under consideration, the matter pertains to search and seizure, therefore, the case law relied on by the ld.DR for the Revenue, is not applicable to the assessee under consideration.

24.The assessee also submitted before the learned CIT(A) that, during the post- search investigation, Shri Bhupendra Patel had, vide letter dated 08.05.2019 filed before Investigation Wing, clarified that the noting in the impounded notebook are not fully correct and not binding to anybody and that the replies given by him during the survey was one sided and without verification and was under pressure and tired state of mind. He also contended that the impugned noting were not made by him. This was further strengthened by similar affidavit filed during assessment proceeding, which was neither verified nor investigated by the assessing officer. All the above documents are forming part of the paper ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 18 book and has been perused. The fact that the AO has not dealt with these affidavits, are also apparent from the assessment order. On the other hand, when above statement of Bhupendra Balubhai Patel was confronted to Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutia, at his residence during the ongoing search, he had submitted that Annexure A-1 is a rough cash book. This reply was given in his statement recorded u/s 132(4) of the Act. Here it needs to be highlighted that, Shri BhagwanjiAmrutia is basically an accountant and in his office premises which was covered under survey, he was carrying out accounting activities of the Coral group and various other clients. He was also a partner of the assessee firm and was looking after the accounts of the assessee. From the dates of the impounded diary, it can be seen that this was for the period prior to its existence and it did not even start commercial production. This was the period when Shri Bhagwanj Amrutiya was looking for bank finances. He himself had admitted that the transactions recorded in the impounded notebook are rough and not authentic, and in assessment proceedings it was stated that the same were prepared for limited purpose of obtaining bank loans. Further, the assessee vide letter dated 08.05.2019 filed before the ADIT(Inv)- 1, Rajkot had stated that it (firm) is not aware about the contents of the said note book found from third party premises and maintained by Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya. The Investigation Wing did not treat this statement as shallow and pressed for further investigation. It issued summons to the partners of the assessee- firm and others (whose names were recorded in the impugned notebook) and asked about the authenticity of the contents. In response to same, all denied having carried out any such transactions as recorded in the notebook. Copies of replies by the assessee, partners and others are forming part of the paper book. During the course of assessment proceeding, the assessee / patterns even sought cross examination of Shri Bhupendra Patel and Shri Bhagwanjibhai Amrutiya. In nutshell it was contended that statement made by partner of the firm cannot bind ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 19 the firm in absence of it being confronted to all the partners else it goes against the basic principle of partnership law. However, nowhere from the assessment order it can be seen that such opportunity was granted to the assessee.

27.Next ground of the Revenue pertains to the addition of Rs.54,04,130/-.The common facts of the case have been narrated above therefore, we do not repeat the same. Learned DR for the revenue, relied on the findings of the assessing officer, whereas, learned Counsel for the assessee, relied on the findings of the learned CIT(A). About the disallowance of Rs. 54,04,130/-, made u/s 37 of the Act, on the basis of certain entries in the impounded note-book, it was observed by ld.CIT(A) that since the assessee has not claimed any deduction of alleged figure of purchases in the books of account / ITR and hence, there is no question of disallowance of purchases. Hence, this disallowance was deleted by ld.CIT(A). We confirm the findings of the learned CIT (A).

of the Revenue are dismissed.

32. In the result, appeal filed by the revenue ( in is dismissed. 33. Now, we shall take the Revenue’s appeal in in the case of Shri Bhagvanji Prabhubhai Amrutiya, wherein the Revenue has raised the following grounds:

1.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in deleting the addition of Rs. 1,48,89,125/- made on account of unexplained investment u/s 69B of the Act. 1.1. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in considering the facts of the case and in ignoring that the protective addition made on account of investment in land as recorded in the Diary impounded during the course of survey at the business premises of the assessee.

2. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.5,79,94,130/- out of total addition of Rs.6,77,34,130/-, made on account of unexplained receipt of money in cash u/s 69A of the I.T. Act.

3. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.54,04,130/-, made on account of bogus purchase u/s 37 of the I.T. Act.

4. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in ignoring the facts that the assessee himself has agreed to notings of the diary and agreed to obtain the peak balance to be taxed in his hands on the basis of entries of fund inflow & outflow recorded in the impounded diary.

6. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, learned Commissioner (Appeals) erred in deleting the addition of Rs.3,42,000/- made on account of undisclosed investment u/s 69A of the I.T. Act.

(ii)Addition of Rs. 6,77,34,130/-, on account of unexplained receipt of cash u/s.69A of the Act.

(iii)Addition of Rs. 54,04,130/- on account of bogus purchase u/s 37 of the Act.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 28 36. About the addition of Rs.1,48,89,125/-, the learned DR for the revenue and learned Counsel for the assessee made the same arguments, as we have noted above. The finding of the AO is contained in para 4 of the assessment order wherein he has held that, on the basis of one agreement to sale (“Satakhat”) found and impounded during the course of survey at the office premises of the assessee, it was noted that the Firm M/s. Expert Particle Board had purchased land at Survey No 111 situated at Village RavaparNadi. The total purchase consideration as per the impugned agreement to sale is at Rs. 1,55,89,125/- out of which Rs. 7,00,000/- is paid by DD dated 21.4.2018; cash of Rs 50,00,000 was paid on 6.4.2018; cash of Rs 67,89,125/- was paid on 6.11.2018 and balance sum of Rs. 31,00,000/- was payable. The AO further relied upon the statement recorded from Shri Bhupendra Patel during the survey who admitted the transaction as per the impounded agreement to sale.

37.Before the learned CIT(A), the assessee submitted that no corroborative evidences were found evidencing actual payment of cash as per the impounded agreement to sale. According to the assessee, the Firm Expert Particle Board wanted to purchase land for the purpose of establishing an industrial unit. However, the land was an agricultural land and hence, the same was purchased after taking pre-approval from the competent authority, that is, Collector for the consideration of Rs. 7,00,000/-, which is more than the Fair Market Value of an agricultural land as per the stamp valuation authority. The assessee was looking after firm’s accounts and he was entrusted to obtain bank finance for the assessee firm as a consultant. His sole purpose was to obtain optimum finance / loan from the bank as their capacity to invest or capital contribution is limited. Therefore, in order to avail higher finance / reimbursement from the bank, he had managed to prepare the impugned agreement to sale showing higher consideration paid for the property. Also, the seller of the impugned land ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 29 namely Shri Rasikbhai Panchotiya in his duly sworn affidavit clarified that he has not received any cash against sale of the land. The land in question was purchased on 21.04.2018 and thereafter, an application was made to convert the same to non-agricultural land. The said conversion was made on 19.6.2018. Thereafter on 06.07.2018, the Firm obtained permission to start construction of factory shed, on 27.11.2018, the construction of factory shed was completed. In the meantime, the assessee, on behalf of the firm M/s. Expert Particle Board, pursued the bank loan matter with Syndicate Bank. Since there was need for higher financial assistance, he had no alternative but to show higher valuation for the land. It is for this purpose that the agreement to sale of the land was made with higher valuation. The fact that no cash has been paid on purchase of land can be proved from last para of the agreement, wherein, it is mentioned that the balance sum of Rs. 98,89,125/- is payable on or before 06.11.2018. However, the registered conveyance deed of the land was executed on 26.04.2018. The assessee contended that no prudent person will take risk of transferring title and handing over possession of property without receiving substantial portion of consideration. Therefore, in this case, a small farmer having meagre income is not expected to have transferred the title deeds and possession of property against receipt of only 37% of agreed amount of consideration. Hence, terms & conditions of impugned agreement to sale signed by the assessee is against the normal human probabilities, which raise doubt on the events as mentioned in such document, has really occurred.

42.The assessee submitted before the learned CIT(A) that the statement of Shri Bhupendra Balubhai Patel recorded u/s 133A of the Act dated 03.01.2019, was a non-connected party, as he is neither subjected to survey action nor he is owner of the premises surveyed from which the material was found. In fact, survey was conducted at the office premises of the assessee, accountant of the Coral Group for verification of their data / materials if any lying at accountant’s office premises. As the said premises was closed therefore, his friend Shri Bhupendra Balubhai Patel who was engaged in the business of videography was called upon to open the said office premises. The Bhupendra Patel was unaware about the data lying at surveyed premises and was not competent to reply ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 34 questions or queries raised by the Survey party. Be that as it may be, in the said statement, Shri Bhupendra Patel had stated about the impugned Annexure A-1 that he is not aware about the transactions and that he needs to consult other partners, permission for further information needs to be taken. Thus, according to the assessee, the statement of Shri Bhupendra Patel cannot be said to be corroborative material evidence. The assessee further submitted before the CIT( A) that during the post-search investigation, Shri Bhupendra Patel, vide letter dated 08.05.2019, filed before Investigation Wing, had clarified that the noting in the impounded note-book are not fully correct and not binding to anybody and that the replies given by him during the survey was one sided and without verification. This was further reinforced by similar affidavit filed during assessment proceeding, which was neither verified nor investigated by the assessing officer. It was also contended that when the statement of Shri Bhupendra Patel was confronted to the assessee in the search, the assessee in his statement recorded u/s 132(4) categorically stated that the impounded diary is the rough cash book of Expert Particle Board, meaning thereby the noting in the said diary are not correct. The assessee stated that statement recorded during post-search investigation dated 15.03.2019 was retracted by filing an affidavit dated 16.05.2019 and also by clarifying the fact in the letter filed before investigation wing on 01.05.2019.

43.The assessee also submitted before the learned CIT(A) that the diary reflecting credit and debit transactions was fabricated with arbitrary figures so as to get required bank finance on the basis of projected financials and sound financial capacity of partners. The assessee highlighted certain defects and contradictions in the impounded diary and he also relied upon the decision of Hon. ITAT, Ahmedabad in the case of ACIT vs. Shree Krishna Developers and 1231/Ahd/2011, wherein, the addition made in the similar facts ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 35 and circumstances was deleted by CIT(A) and ITAT. The assessee, alternatively argued before the learned CIT(A) that he has earned unaccounted commission income from Coral Group and also had access of unaccounted income / fund of the partnership- firm M/s. Kishan Minerals. This fact was deposed by the assessee in his statement recorded u/s 132(4) of the Act and in the affidavits made in post-search investigation. In this context, the assessee submitted that the noting in the impounded diary containing his name as contributor of fund to the extent of Rs. 97,40,000/-, may be considered as his unaccounted investment and the same may be telescoped against the unaccounted income of M/s Kishan Minerals and the assessee’s unaccounted commission income, which is estimated at Rs. 10,00,000/-. The assessee also submitted that peak balance working of the impounded diary as per which peak credit comes to Rs. 64,15,000/-, which is lower than the unaccounted investment in his name of Rs. 97,40,000/-. The assessee further argued that name of other persons and partners in the impounded diary is nothing but rotation of same funds and thus, the same cannot be subject matter of addition in the hands of the assessee. At last, the assessee contended that if the entire receipt in the impounded diary would be treated as unaccounted business receipts, then also considering the estimated profit of 2% in the trading activities, net unaccounted income comes to Rs. 14,62,765/- only.

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 37 44. The ld.CIT(A) noted that it is apparent from the above table that the cash introduction has been made on different dates by various persons including the assessee. It has been noticed that the cash deposits in respect of the assessee was at Rs.97,40,000/- on various dates as per the notings in the seized diary. In respect to the source of such cash deposits, it has been submitted by the assessee that he was one of the partners in M/s Kishan Minerals having share of 15% therein. During the course of search at the place of M/s Kishan Minerals, various incriminating documents showing unaccounted sales were found and seized. Such incriminating documents of M/s Kishan Minerals claimed to have been maintained by the assessee. The ld.CIT(A) found merit in the contention of the assessee to allow telescoping of the unaccounted income of M/s Kishan Minerals against unaccounted investment as in the statement recorded during the search, the assessee categorically stated that entire affairs of unaccounted activities of M/s Kishan Minerals was kept by him only. Thus, the claim of the assessee was that the entire unaccounted income of the Kishan Minerals was with the assessee only and the set off of such unaccounted income ought to have been given against the cash introduction made by the assessee as per the seized diary. The contention of the assessee has been examined but the same was found partially acceptable by ld.CIT(A). It is a fact that there was unaccounted turnover in the case of M/s Kishan Minerals but the unaccounted income derived on such unaccounted business would have been shared by each of the partners including the assessee as per their partnership share. As discussed above, the assessee had 15% share in the aforesaid firm, therefore, whatever unaccounted income is determined in the case of M/s Kishan Minerals, could be given set off to the extent of 15% in the hands of the assessee once the matter of Kishan mineral reached to the finality and such source of cash generation could be considered and reduced from the unaccounted cash deposits made by the assessee as per the seized diary at Rs.97,40,000/-. The AO was directed by ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 38 ld.CIT(A), to tax the unaccounted cash deposits of Rs.97,40,000/- in the hand of assessee, but grant the set off of the share in unaccounted income of M/s. Kishan Minerals as discussed above. Meaning thereby the balance unaccounted cash deposits is directed to be treated as income of the assessee for which it has been submitted through the affidavit before the AO that he was having the unaccounted commission income from Coral group of cases on the sales affected through the assessee. Thus, the source of the cash deposits as per the seized diary is the unaccounted commission income of the assessee. Considering the totality of facts as above, amount credited in the impounded note-book in the name of the assessee of Rs.97,40,000/- was treated as the assessee’s unaccounted investment in M/s. Expert Particle Board and accordingly such unaccounted cash deposits as discussed above is to be treated as the unaccounted fund infused by the assessee in the firm. So far as credits in the impounded diary in the name of other partners and persons as noted above, the same cannot be treated as the assessee’s unaccounted investment or income and same may be considered in the respective hands by the AO.

46.We have gone through the above findings of the learned CIT (A) and noticed that conclusion reached by the learned CIT(A) is correct. In the wake of above delineation, we see no error in the conclusion drawn by the CIT(A) in this regard. We thus decline to interfere with the conclusion so drawn by the CIT(A)

ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 39 whose order is under challenge by the revenue. Similarly, the ground No.1 raised by the assessee, in Cross Objection No. 05/RJT/2022, is also dismissed.

“2. The Id. CIT(A)erred on facts as also in law in confirming addition of Rs.85,500/- out of total addition of Rs.3,42,000/- made u/s.69A of the Act on the alleged ground of unexplained investment in gold jewelleries. The addition retained is totally unjustified on facts as also in law and may kindly be deleted. 3.The Id. CIT(A)erred on facts as also in law in confirming addition of Rs.85,000/- made u/s.69A of the Act on the alleged ground of unexplained receipt in cash. The addition retained is totally unjustified on facts as also in law and may kindly be deleted. Your Honour's assessee craves leave to add, to amend, alter, or withdraw any or more grounds of appeal on or before the hearing of appeal.

49. The above cross objection filed by the assessee, for Assessment Year 2019- 20, is barred by limitation by 18 days. The assessee has moved a petition requesting the Bench to condone the delay. We have heard both the parties on this minor delay. Having regard to the reasons given in the petition, we condone the delay and admit the cross objection for hearing.

50. About the grounds raised by the assessee in respect of CO, the ld.Counsel for the assessee submitted the addition sustained by the ld.CIT(A) to the tune of Rs.85,500/-, on account of unexplained investment in gold, jewellery should also be deleted as weight of this gold and jewellery is in accordance with CBDT Circular. On the other hand, learned DR for the revenue submitted that required ACIT Vs. Expert Particle Board and Others 142/RJT/2021 (AY : 2019-20) with CO No.05/RJT/2022 40 benefit was given to the assessee, and this gold is over and above the CBDT circular. We find merit in the submissions of learned DR for the revenue and therefore, dismissed the ground raised by the assessee.

51.The ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted about ground No.3 that addition made and sustained by the ld.CIT(A) to the tune of Rs.85,500/-, on account of unexplained receipt in cash should also be deleted, as it is a small amount and the assessee has explained the same during the course of assessment proceedings. On the other hand, learned DR for the revenue submitted that there is no concept in the Income tax act to delete the amount based on the concept of smallness of the amount. We find merit in the submissions of learned DR for the revenue and therefore, dismissed the ground raised by the assessee.

Order is pronounced in the open court on 29/08/2025