PERCY M. BATLIWALLA,MUMBAI vs. ASST CIT 21(2), MUMBAI

This appeal, filed by the assessee, being 10.10.2016 passed by learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-33, Mumbai (hereinafter called “the CIT(A)”), for assessment year 2012-13, appellate proceedings had arisen before learned CIT(A) from assessment order passed by learned Assessing Officer (hereinafter called “the AO”) u/s 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called “the Act”) for AY 2012-13.

The assessee filed first appeal with learned CIT-A who granted the benefit of period of holding of the flats for the purposes of computing capital gains from the date of allotment of the flat by the builder in favour of the assessee till the flats were sold by the assessee keeping in view CBDT circular no. 672 dated 16-12-1993 and also relying upon decision of Hon‟ble Courts as discussed in the appellate order passed by learned CIT(A). However, since section 54 required that the residential property which is transferred should have been used for the residential purposes of the assessee and also income should been offered for taxation under the head „income of house property‟ and since these conditions were not met by the assessee, the exemption u/s. 54 was not allowed by learned CIT(A). The assessee pleaded before learned CIT-A that in alternative exemption u/s 54F be allowed to him to which Ld. CIT-A declined to grant as assessee never claimed such deduction in the return of income filed with the revenue.

Aggrieved by the appellate order passed by learned CIT(A), the assessee has come in an appeal before the tribunal. None appeared on behalf of the assessee when the appeal was called for hearing before the tribunal. Notices sent to the assessee returned un-served which are placed in filed. The Ld. DR on the other submitted that Ld. CIT-A has rightly disallowed the claim of exemption u/s. 54F. However the learned DR fairly agreed that the grounds urged by the assessee are legal grounds and Ld. CIT-A being appellate authority should have admitted the same and adjudicated on merits in accordance with law in view of several decisions of Hon‟ble Courts.

We have heard Ld. DR and perused the material on record . We have observed that the assessee has earned income under the head capital gains with respect to the gain arising from the sale of two residential flats which were held by learned CIT(A) to be long term capital gains on sale of residential flats. The learned CIT(A) denied benefit of claim of exemption u/s 54 as the said flats were not used by the assessee for his residential purposes nor the income from said house property were earlier offered by the assessee under the head „Income from House Property‟. Now, the controversy remaining between the two rival parties which is subject matter of present appeal before us is with respect to the raising of the fresh ground before learned CIT-A by the assessee for the first time with respect to the claim of exemption u/s. 54F which was not claimed by the assessee in the return of income filed with the revenue , wherein learned CIT(A) refused to admit said ground of appeal as the assessee never raised this claim of exemption in return of income filed with Revenue .We are of the considered view that the learned CIT-A being appellate authority should have admitted this additional grounds regarding claim of exemption by the assessee u/s. 54F and thereafter learned CIT(A) should have adjudicated the same on merits in accordance with law. Reliance is placed on the decision of Hon‟ble Supreme Court in the case of Jute Corporation of India v. CIT (1991) 187 ITR 688 (SC) and Hon‟ble Bombay High Court in the case of Ahmadabad Electricity Company Ltd. v CIT (1993) 199 ITR 351(Bom.) We , under these circumstances , are of considered view that this ground of claim of exemption u/s 54F raised by the assessee for the first time before learned CIT(A) need to be admitted and we direct admission of this ground raised by the assessee . Now the matter need to be set aside and restored to the file of learned CIT(A) for adjudication of this ground which is directed to be admitted by us w.r.t. claim of exemption u/s 54F , on merits in accordance with law. Needless to say that proper and adequate opportunity of being heard be allowed to the assessee by learned CIT(A) in set aside proceedings in accordance with principles of natural justice in accordance with law. The learned CIT(A) shall admit evidences and explanations submitted by the assessee in its defence and adjudicate the same on merits in accordance with law. The appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. We order accordingly.

In the result appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.