Facts
The assessee filed appeals for Assessment Years 2011-12 & 2012-13, challenging the reopening of assessment under Section 147 and additions made under Sections 68/69A of the Income Tax Act. The Ld. CIT(A) had previously dismissed these appeals ex-parte due to the assessee's non-compliance with notices.
Held
The Tribunal observed that the CIT(A) disposed of the appeals ex-parte without providing sufficient opportunity to the assessee. Both the assessee's counsel and the Ld. DR agreed to restore the appeals for fresh adjudication. The Tribunal accordingly restored the appeals to the Ld. CIT(A), directing the assessee to cooperate and avoid unnecessary adjournments.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) erred in dismissing the appeals ex-parte, and whether the reopening of assessment and additions under Sections 68/69A should be re-examined after providing adequate opportunity to the assessee.
Sections Cited
Section 147, Section 68, Section 69A, Section 144
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH “SMC” NEW DELHI
Before: SHRI CHALLA NAGENDRA PRASAD
सुनवाईक�तारीख/ Date of hearing: 11.03.2024 22.05.2024 उ�ोषणाक�तारीख/Pronouncement on आदेश /O R D E R
These appeals are filed by the assessee against the order of the Ld.CIT(Appeals) – NFAC, Delhi dated 13.10.2023 for the AYs 2011-12 & 2012-13.
In these two appeals the assessee has challenged the reopening of assessment u/s 147 of the Act on various grounds and also addition made u/s 68/69A of the Act which was sustained by the Ld.CIT(A).
I.T.A.Nos.3596 & 3597/Del/2023
Ld. Counsel for the assessee, at the outset, submits that the Ld. CIT(A) disposed of the appeals ex parte without providing sufficient opportunity to the assessee. Therefore, it is requested that the appeals may be restored to the file of the Ld. AO or to the Ld.CIT(A) for providing adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee.
Ld. DR has no serious objection in restoring the appeals to Ld.CIT(A) for fresh adjudication.
Heard rival contentions, perused the orders of the authorities below. Perusal of the assessment orders show that in this case the assessments were completed u/s 144 r.w.s. 147 of the Act as the assessee did not comply with the notices issued by the AO. The Ld. CIT(A) also dismissed the appeals of the assessee as the assessee did not comply with the notices issued by the Ld. CIT(A). The Ld. CIT(A) observed that the assessee sought an adjournment on one occasion and there was no compliance by the assessee on the other occasions where notices were issued for hearing.
Considering the rival submissions, these appeals are restored to the file of the Ld.CIT(A) for fresh adjudication after providing adequate opportunity to the assessee. The assessee is directed to I.T.A.Nos.3596 & 3597/Del/2023 cooperate with the proceedings before the Ld. CIT(A) without taking any unnecessary adjournments.
In the result, appeals of the assessee are allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the open court on 22/05/2024