SPUN COMMUNICATION INFRA P.LTD,MUMBAI vs. ITO 13(2)(2), MUMBAI
What did the Tribunal hold?
The ITAT set aside the CIT(A)'s order, condoned the delay, and restored the matters to the CIT(A)'s file. The tribunal directed the CIT(A) to grant the assessee a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
What were the facts?
The assessee's appeals for AYs 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12 were dismissed by the CIT(A) due to non-appearance and delay in filing appeals. The AO had made additions on account of alleged bogus purchases and imposed penalties.
What were the issues?
Whether the CIT(A) was justified in dismissing the appeals without granting a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the assessee, especially when the appeals were filed with a delay.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
M/s Spun Communication Infra Ltd. 2 6277, 6278, 6279 & 6280/Mum/2016 ORDER PER N.K. PRADHAN, A.M. The captioned appeals filed by the assessee are directed against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-21, Mumbai. As common issues are involved, we are proceeding to dispose them off through a consolidated order for the sake of convenience. Assessment Year: 2009-10 & ITA No. 6277/MUM/2016 Assessment Year: 2009-10 2. Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that the assessee filed its return of income for the AY 2009-10 on 27.09.2009 declaring total income at Rs.28,16,100/-. The Assessing Officer (AO) estimated profit @ 12% on the alleged bogus purchases of Rs.3,19,76,934/-. Thus he made an addition of Rs.38,37,232/-. Aggrieved by the order of the AO, the assessee filed an appeal before the Ld. CIT(A). Though the case was fixed for hearing before the Ld. CIT(A), neither the assessee nor his authorized representative appeared before him. The Ld. CIT(A) also observed that there has been a delay of four months by the assessee in filing the appeal. He held that there was no reason for filing the appeal after four months and therefore, dismissed the plea of the assessee to condone the above delay. As there was no compliance by the assessee, the Ld. CIT(A) dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee. 2.1 Also the AO imposed a penalty of Rs.15,00,000/- u/s 271(1)(c) on the tax sought to be evaded of Rs.37,98,859/-. In appeal, neither the M/s Spun Communication Infra Ltd. 3 ITA No. 6276, 6277, 6278, 6279 & 6280/Mum/2016 assessee nor its authorized representative appeared before the Ld. CIT(A). Considering the non-compliance by the assessee and also the facts of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) confirmed the penalty of Rs.15,00,000/- imposed by the AO u/s 271(1)(c). ITA No. 6278/MUM/2016 Assessment Year: 2010-11 & ITA No. 6279/MUM/2016 Assessment Year: 2010-11 3. The assessee filed its return of income for the AY 2010-11 on 07.10.2010 declaring total loss at Rs.31,38,517/-. The AO estimated profit @ 12% on the alleged bogus purchases of Rs.10,42,12,519/-. Thus he made an addition of Rs.1,25,05,502/-. Aggrieved by the order of the AO, the assessee filed an appeal before the Ld. CIT(A). Though the case was fixed for hearing before the Ld. CIT(A), neither the assessee nor its authorized representative appeared before him. The Ld. CIT(A) also observed that there has been a delay of four months by the assessee in filing the appeal. He held that there was no reason for filing the appeal after four months and therefore, dismissed the plea of the assessee to condone the above delay. As there was no compliance, the Ld. CIT(A) dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee. 3.1 Also the AO imposed a penalty of Rs.42,00,000/- u/s 271(1)(c) on the tax sought to be evaded of Rs.1,23,80,446/-. In appeal, neither the assessee nor its authorized representative appeared before the Ld. CIT(A). Considering the non-compliance by the assessee and also the M/s Spun Communication Infra Ltd. 4 6277, 6278, 6279 & 6280/Mum/2016 facts of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) confirmed the penalty of Rs.42,00,000/- imposed by the AO u/s 271(1)(c). ITA No. 6280/MUM/2016 Assessment Year: 2011-12 4. The assessee filed its return of income for the AY 2011-12 on 07.01.2011 declaring total income at Rs. Nil. The AO estimated the profit embedded in the alleged bogus purchase of Rs.29,05,147/- and thus made an addition of Rs.3,48,618/-. Then he imposed penalty of Rs.1,07,723/- u/s 271(1)(c). In appeal before the Ld. CIT(A), neither the assessee nor its authorized representative appeared. Taking into account the non-compliance by the assessee and also the facts of the case, the Ld. CIT(A) dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee.
Before us, the Ld. counsel of the assessee submits that a reasonable opportunity may be given to the assessee to represent its case before the Ld. CIT(A).
On the other hand, the Ld. DR submits that reasonable opportunity has already been given by the Ld. CIT(A) as is evident from the appellate order.
We have heard the rival submissions and perused the relevant materials on record. The fact remains that neither the assessee nor his authorized representative appeared before the Ld. CIT(A) in the captioned appeals. There is no denying the fact that a right order would emerge after hearing the assessee by the Ld. CIT(A). More so, when it is a case of alleged bogus purchase.
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