Facts
The assessee appealed against the CIT(A)'s order confirming an addition of Rs. 70,6,254/- under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act for AY 2018-19. The CIT(A) had dismissed the appeal for want of prosecution without adjudicating on merits, despite the assessment being made under Section 143(3) read with Section 144B. The assessee contended that the source of deposits was from agriculture income and other allied activities, but had not submitted details to the AO.
Held
The Tribunal observed that the CIT(A) erred by dismissing the appeal for want of prosecution instead of deciding on merits, which contravenes Section 250(6). To prevent multiplicity of litigation and allow for proper adjudication, the Tribunal set aside the orders of both lower authorities and restored the issues to the Assessing Officer for fresh adjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeal for want of prosecution without adjudicating on merits, and whether the addition under Section 68 was justified when the assessee claimed agricultural income as the source of deposits.
Sections Cited
Section 68, Section 250(6), Section 143(3), Section 144B
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DIVISION BENCH, ‘B’ CHANDIGARH
Before: SHRI RAJPAL YADAV & SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL
The assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal against the order of ld. Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [in short ‘the CIT (A)’] dated 13.03.2023 passed for assessment year 2018-19.
The assessee has raised three grounds of appeal
, however, his grievance revolves around a single issue, namely, the ld.CIT (Appeals) has erred in confirming the addition of A.Y.2018-19
2. Rs.70,6,254/- which was added by the AO with the aid of Section 68 of the Income Tax Act.
3. With the assistance of ld. Representative, we have gone through the record carefully. It emerges out that ld.CIT (Appeals) has not adjudicated the appeal on merit, rather dismissed it for want of prosecution. Sub Section (6) of Section 250 of the Income Tax Act contemplates that ld.CIT (Appeals) would state the points in dispute and thereafter record reasons on those points. It is also pertinent to note that assessment order has also been passed u/s 143(3) read with Section 144B of the Act. The case of the assessee is that he is an agriculturist and source of deposits in the bank was from agriculture income and other allied activities, however, such details have not been submitted before AO, therefore, after going through the complete record, we are of the view that ends of justice would meet if we set aside both the orders and restore these issues to the file of AO for fresh adjudication. It is further observed that whenever any infirmity is being found, then higher appellate authority is required to remove that infirmity and restore the proceeding A.Y.2018-19 3 to that level where irregularity crept in. In this case, proceeding ought to have been restored to the ld.CIT (Appeals) because CIT (Appeals) has not adjudicated the issues on merit, rather dismissed the appeal for want of prosecution. But that would only enhance the multiplicity of litigation because CIT (Appeals) would have to call for a remand report from the AO. Accordingly, we deem it appropriate to set aside the issues to the file of AO for fresh adjudication.
In view of the above discussion, appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced on 05.02.2026.