VISHNU JANARDHAN SHIROLKAR MAHAJAN WADY TRUST,MUMBAI vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER (EXEMPTION)-2(4), MUMBAI

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL "SMC" BENCH, MUMBAI SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR BILLAIYA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER SHRI RAHUL CHAUDHARY, JUDICIAL MEMBER Vishnu Janardhan Shirolkar Mahajan Wady Trust, Vishnu Building, 12-D, Shenvi Wadi, Khadilkar Road, Girgaon, Mumbai - 400012 [PAN: AAATV0515B] …………. Appellant Vs Income Tax Officer (Exemption)-2(4) 503, 5th Floor, Piramal Chambers, Lalbaug, Parel, Mumbai-400012. …………. Respondent Appearance For the Appellant/Assessee : Ms. Kinjal Bhuta For the Respondent/Department : Shri R.R. Makwana Date Conclusion of hearing : 09.07.2024 Pronouncement of order : 27.09.2024 O R D E R Per Rahul Chaudhary, Judicial Member:

1. 1. By way of the present appeal the Assessee has challenged the order dated 24/01/2024, passed by the National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi, [hereinafter referred to as the ‘CIT(A)’] whereby the Ld. CIT(A) had dismissed the appeal preferred by the Assessee against the Assessment Order, dated 11/10/2017, passed by under Section 143(3) read with section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’). for the Assessment Year 2010-11.

2. During the appellate proceedings before the CIT(A), note of hearing, dated 07/01/2021, 26/02/2021 and 03/01/2024 were issued. However, the Appellant failed to comply with the aforesaid Assessment Year: 2010-11 notices. We note that first two notices were issued in January/February, 2021 while the last notice was issued after a gap of around 3 years in January 2024, fixing the date of hearing on 08/01/2024 and the order dismissing appeal was passed on 24/01/2024. In the facts and circumstances of the present case, we inclined to accept contentions of Learned Authorised Representative for the Appellant sufficient opportunity of being heard was not granted to the Appellant and therefore, another opportunity be granted to the Appellant to substantiate its claim before the CIT(A). We note that all the grounds raised by the Appellant have been dismissed by the CIT(A) on the ground that Appellant has failed to substantiate his claim during the course of appellate proceedings. Accordingly, keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances of the present case we set aside the Order, dated 24/01/2024, by the Learned CIT(A) and restore the appeal to the file of the CIT(A) with directions to decide the same afresh after granting the Appellant a reasonable opportunity of hearing. The Appellant is directed to file before the CIT(A) submissions/documents in support of its claim. It is clarified that in case the Appellant fails to enter appearance before the CIT(A) and/or fails to furnish relevant details/submissions, the CIT(A) would be at liberty to decide the grounds raised in appeal on merits on the basis of material already on record.