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Facts
The assessee filed appeals against the orders of the CIT(A) for multiple assessment years. The CIT(A) dismissed these appeals without providing a reasonable opportunity of being heard, despite the assessee having indicated a request to withdraw the appeals under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme (VSVS).
Held
The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) erred by not dealing with the assessee's request for withdrawal under VSVS. It remitted the matter back to the Assessing Officer (AO) to verify if the assessee sought to resolve the dispute under VSVS and to deal with the subject as per law.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) erred in dismissing appeals without considering the assessee's request to withdraw them under the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme (VSVS) and without providing a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
Sections Cited
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH ‘E’ : NEW DELHI
Before: SHRI SHAMIM YAHYA & SHRI YOGESH KUMAR U.S.
2 to 2826/DEL/2022 2. Since the issues are common and connected, these are being disposed of by this common order. 3. We note that apart from various grounds, one common ground raised in all the appeals is that ld. CIT (A) erred in dismissing the appeals without giving reasonable opportunity of being heard and ignoring the principle of natural justice.
4. We have heard ld. DR for the Revenue and perused the records. None appeared on behalf of the assessee. We note that pursuant to assessment order, ld. CIT (A) has confirmed the addition made by the AO. However, in a series of non-compliance done by the assessee before him, he has noted two instances i.e. “requesting withdrawal of the appeal in VSVS”. In ITA Nos.2823, 2825 & 22826/Del/2022, it is noted for two dates. However, we do not find any mention by the ld. CIT (A) as to why assessee’s request for withdrawal of appeal is not being dealt with. In our considered opinion, when assessee is seeking to withdraw the appeal in VSVS, there was no reason for ld. CIT (A) not to accept the same. In these circumstances, in our considered opinion, the interest of justice would be served if the matter is remitted to the file of AO. AO shall check whether the assessee has sought to resolve the dispute under VSVS or not after due verification in this respect and shall deal with the subject as per law. Our above order applies mutatis mutandis to all the assessment years 5. under appeal.