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Facts
The assessee, Kailash Jaiswal, filed five appeals against the CIT(A)'s orders for Assessment Years 2007-08 to 2012-13, which partly sustained additions made by the Assessing Officer following a search under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act on 29/05/2012. The assessee contended that these additions were made without incriminating material, or were based on 'dumb documents' or items already reflected in the books of account.
Held
The Tribunal found the assessee's arguments convincing, relying on Supreme Court precedents (e.g., PCIT Vs. Abhisar Buildwell) which state that additions in search assessments cannot be sustained without incriminating material. It concluded that the additions sustained by the CIT(A) were based on presumptions, surmises, and imagination rather than corroborative evidence or incriminating documents. Accordingly, all the additions sustained by the learned CIT(A) were deleted.
Key Issues
Whether additions made in search assessments under Section 153A read with 143(3) of the IT Act can be sustained if not based on incriminating material found during the search under Section 132, or if based on 'dumb documents' or information already available in the assessee's books of account.
Sections Cited
153A, 143(3), 132
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ALLAHABAD BENCH, ALLAHABAD
Before: SHRI ANADEE NATH MISSHRA & SHRI SUBHASH MALGURIA, JU DICIAL MEMBER
“1. That in any view of the matter the assessment order passed u/s 153A r.w.s. 143(3) of the IT Act on income of Rs.85,03,170/- are illegal, invalid and void, hence liable to be cancelled in view of the facts that no incriminating material was found in the course of search and both the above mentioned assessment orders are based on declared facts/material available on record before the date of search and therefore the assessments are liable to be quashed in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.5,00,000/- as maintained by the ld. CIT(A) on account of transaction with Sri Manmohan Sachdeva as made and confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
3. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.1,70,000/- as made and confirmed by CIT(A) on the basis of LP-9 Pg. 40-46 as added is highly unjustified.
4. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.22,75,000/- as made by the assessing officer which was reduced to Rs.17,75,000/- by CIT(A) is highly unjustified and ld. CIT(A) was not correct in allowing only token relief when the transaction relate to before block period hence addition sustained by ld. CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
5. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.48,75,000/- as made by the assessing officer and confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
6. That in any view of the matter the finding and observation of both the two lower authorities with regard to addition of Rs.48,75,000/- is incorrect and contrary to the actual facts of the case.”
“1. That in any view of the matter the assessment order passed u/s 153A r.w.s. 1.43(3) of the IT Act on income of Rs.3,77,48,210/- are illegal, invalid and void, hence liable to be cancelled in view of the facts that no incriminating material was found in the course of search and both the above mentioned assessment , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 3 orders are based on declared facts/material available on record before the date of search and therefore the assessments are liable to be quashed in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.55,00,000/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 3 of the order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
3. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.55,00,000/- as made by the Assessing Officer is not correct in so far as the amount belongs to 11 different parties who advance amount to the assessee for purchase of land and necessary documentary evidence was filed but no cognizance was given to the details filed hence addition made by assessing officer and confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
4. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.2,99,00,000/- made as per para 4 of the assessment order on the basis of LP- 5/ page-415 is baseless and illegal specially when the assessing officer himself has accepted in the assessment order that the cheque was undated and not encashed and even the original cheque was produced before the assessing officer. Thus in such situation it is not the real income of the assessee but it is an artificial addition based on presumptions and whims of the assessing officer, hence addition made and confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
5. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.2,99,00,000/- has been made on the basis of dumb document which is neither signed by the assessee nor signed by any witness, therefore question of giving weightage to the Ikararnama is highly unjustified and incorrect and in this regards finding and observations of the assessing officer in the order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
6. That in any view of the matter the case laws as cited by learned CIT(A) does not hold good and the same is not in consistent with the facts of the assessee's case and neither applicable in said case hence the observation of the learned CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
, 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 4
That in any view of the matter finding and observation of both the two lower authorities with regard to addition of Rs.2.99 Cr. are incorrect and contrary to the actual facts of the case.
That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.6,17,834/- on account of capital gain as made by the assessing officer which was reduced to Rs.2,72,152/- by ld. CIT(A) is highly unjustified and ld. CIT(A) was not correct in taking indexation value of year 1987 when in fact jewellery was acquired prior to 01.04.1981 and thus the working as shown by the assessee should have been accepted.”
I.T.A. No.26/Alld/2023 (A.Y. 2010-11)
“1. That in any view of the matter the assessment order passed u/s 153A r.w.s. 143(3) of the IT Act on income of Rs.39,65,160/- are illegal, invalid and void, hence liable to be cancelled in view of the facts that no incriminating material was found in the course of search and both the above mentioned assessment orders are based on declared facts/material available on record before the date of search and therefore the assessments are liable to be quashed in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.10,55,000/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 3 of the order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
3. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.10,55,000/- was made simply on rough and dumb document having no signature on the said paper nor any corroborative evidence brought on record hence both the two lower authority failed to appreciate the facts correctly hence addition made is highly unjustified.
4. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.7,80,000/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 4 of the assessment order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
5. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.11,89,805/- on account of capital gain as made by the assessing officer which was reduced to Rs.8,15,872/- by ld. CIT(A) is highly unjustified and Id. CIT(A) was not correct in taking indexation value of , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 5
year 1987 when in fact jewellery was acquired prior to 01.04.1981 and thus the working as shown by the assessee should have been accepted.
6. That in any view of the matter the finding and observation of both the two lower authorities with regard to addition of Rs.10,55,000/-, Rs.7,18,000/- and Rs.8,72,000/- are totally incorrect and contrary to the actual facts of the case.”
I.T.A. No.28/Alld/2023 (A.Y. 2011-12)
“1. That in any view of the matter the assessment order passed u/s 153A r.w.s. 143(3) of the IT Act on income of Rs.2,19,65,190/- are illegal, invalid and void, hence liable to be cancelled in view of the facts that no incriminating material was found in the course of search and both the above mentioned assessment orders are based on declared facts/material available on record before the date of search and therefore the assessments are liable to be quashed in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.25,00,000/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 4 of the order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
3. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.25,00,000/- was made simply on rough and dumb document having no signature on the said paper nor any corroborative evidence brought on record hence both the two lower authority failed to appreciate the facts correctly hence addition made is highly unjustified.
4. hat in any view of the matter addition of Rs.5,00,000/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 6 of the assessment order and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.5,00,000/- as made by the assessing officer is not correct since the amount is duly reflected in bank statement as well as in balance-sheet and the said amount is connected with Jai Shri Jaiswal (wife of the assessee) but both the two lower authorities fail to appreciate the facts properly hence addition made is highly unjustified.
, 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 6
That in any view of the matter the finding and observation of both the two lower authorities with regard to addition of Rs.25,00,000/- and 5,00,000/- are totally incorrect and contrary to the actual facts of the case.”
I.T.A. No.47/Alld/2023 (A.Y. 2012-13)
“1. That in any view of the matter the assessment order passed u/s 153A r.w.s. 143(3) of the IT Act on income of Rs.10,26,47,110/- are illegal, invalid and void, hence liable to be cancelled in view of the facts that no incriminating material was found in the course of search and both the above mentioned assessment orders are based on declared facts/material available on record before the date of search and therefore the assessments are liable to be quashed in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.12,71,250/- as made by the assessing officer as per para 4 of the order which was reduced to Rs.7,71,250/- by Id. CIT(A) is highly unjustified
3. That in any view of the matter the addition of Rs.2,30,000/- as made by the Assessing Officer on the basis of annexure A5 page 5 and 6 and his action as confirmed by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
4. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.18,00,000/-as made by the assessing officer as per para 6 of the assessment order on the basis of annexure A6 page 3 which was reduced to Rs.10,00,000/- by CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
5. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.2.13Cr., Rs.3.52 Cr. and Rs.1.10 Cr. totaling Rs.6.75 Cr. as made by the assessing officer as per seized annexure LP-11 page 132-133 which was reduced to Rs.6.00 Cr. by ld. CIT(A) is highly unjustified.
6. That in any view of the matter addition of Rs.6.00 Cr. on account of addition in respect of property at 125 Park road Gorakhpur is nothing but rough and dumb document on the basis of which addition made and further no corroborative evidence brought on record hence the entire action and the , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 7
finding of both the two lower authorities are totally incorrect and uncalled for.
7. That in any view of the matter the finding and observation of both the two lower authorities with regard to addition of Rs.6.00 Cr. as maintained by CIT(A) as against Rs. 6.75 Cr. as made by the assessing officer (2.13 Cr. + 3.52 Cr. + 1.10 Cr.) are totally incorrect and contrary to the actual facts of the case.”
In this case search under section 132 of the Act was conducted on 29/05/2012. Thereafter assessments were completed under section 153A of the Act for assessment years 2007-08, 2009-10 to 2012-13. In these assessment orders, the following additions were made:
Assessment years Additions made (Rs.) ---------------------- -------------------------- 2007-08 7,00,000/- advance for land dealing 1,70,000/- undisclosed expenditure 22,75,000/- unexplained expenditure 48,75,000/- unexplained expenditure 2009-10 55,00,000/- advance received from various Persons 2.99 crore Transaction with Dr. Bansal 6,17,834/- On account of capital gain 2010-11 10,55,000/- unexplained expenditure 7,80,000/- undisclosed expenditure 11,89,805/- out of capital gain 2011-12 25,00,000/- undisclosed transaction 5,00,000/- undisclosed income 2012-13 12,71,250/- rough & dumb document 18,00,000/- undisclosed expenditure 6.75 crore unexplained investment 2.1 Aggrieved with the additions made by the Assessing Officer, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the learned CIT(A). The , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 8 learned CIT(A), vide impugned appellate orders dated 03/01/203, 27/03/2023, 15/02/2023, 20/02/203 and 10/03/2023 for assessment years 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 102-13 respectively, partly allowed relief to the assessee. The learned CIT(A), in the impugned appellate orders, sustained the following additions:
Assessment year Amount sustained by learned CIT(A) -------------------- ------------------------------------------- 2007-08 5,00,000 advance for land dealing 1,70,000 undisclosed expenditure 17,75,000 unexplained expenditure 48,75,000 unexplained expenditure 2009-10 55,00,000 Adv.recd from various persons 2.99 crore Transaction with Dr. Bansal 2,72,152 on account of capital gain 2010-11 10,55,000 unexplained expenditure 7,80,000 undisclosed expenditure 8,15,872 out of capital gain 2011-12 25,00,000 undisclosed transaction 5,00,000 undisclosed income 2012-13 7,71,250 rough & dumb document 10,00,000 undisclosed expenditure 6 crore unexplained investment 2.2 The present appeals have been filed by the assessee against the aforesaid impugned appellate orders of learned CIT(A). In the course of appellate proceedings before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, paper books containing the following particulars were filed from the assessee’s side:
, 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 9 , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 10 , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 11 2.3 At the time of hearing, learned A.R. for the assessee submitted that the additions made by the Assessing Officer and sustained by the learned CIT(A) are of two broad categories. Firstly, some of the additions have been made without any incriminating materials found during the course of search under section 132 of the Act, therefore, these additions cannot be sustained. Learned A.R. for the assessee submitted, in view of the settled position of law as decided by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of PCIT Vs. Abhisar Buildwell (P.) Ltd (2023) 149 taxmann.com 399 (SC)/(2023) 293 Taxman 141 (SC)/(2023) 454 ITR 212 (SC) and Dy. CIT vs. U. K. Paints (Overseas) Ltd. He further submitted that the Lucknow Bench of ITAT in the case of Smt. Shashi Agarwal (2024) 167 taxmann.com 687 (Lucknow Trib.), considered aforesaid decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Abhisar Buildwell (P.) Ltd (supra) and decided the issue in favour of the assessee relying on the same. He also submitted that moreover, in the case of Ocean Dream Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. vs. DCIT (Order dated 21/01/2025 , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 12 and 147/Lkw/2023) also, identical issue has been decided by Lucknow Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in favour of the assessee. He further submitted that in the present appeals also, the additions made by the Assessing Officer are not based on any incriminating documents found in the course of search. Relying on the aforesaid cases of Abhisar Buildwell (P.) Ltd (supra), Smt. Shashi Agarwal (supra) and Ocean Dream Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. (supra), he contended that the additions made in the assessment orders should be deleted. Second category of additions are those, which are based on papers seized under section 132 of the Act, which however, are dumb documents and not incriminating documents. He further submitted that the documents seized in the course of search under section 132 of the Act are dumb documents because no meaningful inference can be derived from them with full certainty. He further submitted that some of the papers, based on which additions have been made, are already reflected in the assessee’s books of account, therefore, they are neither incriminating nor undisclosed. Moreover, the learned A.R. for the assessee submitted that additions have been made without bringing any corroborative evidence in support of the additions made. He submitted that the additions have been made by the Assessing Officer and sustained by learned CIT(A) based on presumption, surmises, guess work and imagination. He also submitted that the additions are based on prejudiced and premeditated state of mind. Learned A.R. for the assessee placed reliance on the aforesaid paper book referred to in foregoing paragraph no. 3 of this order. He further placed on record, year- wise summary in a tabular form, scanned copy of which is placed below for the ease of reference:
, 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 13 , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 14 2.4 Learned Departmental Representative, on the other hand, placed reliance on the impugned appellate orders of learned CIT(A) and on the assessment orders.
We have heard both sides and have also gone through the material placed on record. We are persuaded by submissions and contentions made by learned A.R. for the assessee (as referred to in foregoing paragraph 4 of this order); and find them convincing. The submissions and contentions of the learned A.R. for the assessee are self evident on consideration of tabular , 68, 26, 28 & 47/Alld/2023 Asstt. Years:2007-08, 09-10 to 12-13 15 charts referred to in foregoing paragraph (2.3) of this order. Therefore, the additions sustained by learned CIT(A), as referred to in foregoing paragraph (2.1) of this order are hereby deleted.
In the result, all the appeals are allowed.