Facts
For AY 2012-13, the assessee's total income was assessed u/s 144 at Rs. 2,78,42,370/-, including various additions for unsecured loans, sundry creditors, liabilities, interest, capital credits, and unaccounted contract receipts. The CIT(A) dismissed the first appeal u/s 246A due to non-prosecution despite multiple hearing notices. The assessee filed a second appeal to the ITAT with a delay of 643 days, citing the main partner's severe medical conditions, the death of his wife, and his son's neurological disorder, rendering the firm inactive and unable to manage tax matters.
Held
The Tribunal condoned the delay in filing the second appeal, accepting the genuine reasons provided. It noted that both the original assessment (u/s 144) and the CIT(A)'s dismissal were not based on merits. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the CIT(A)'s order and remanded the case back to the Assessing Officer for a de novo adjudication on merits, with directions to pass a speaking and reasoned order within six months.
Key Issues
Condonation of delay in filing the second appeal to ITAT; validity of ex-parte assessment and first appeal dismissal for non-prosecution; necessity for the case to be decided on merits.
Sections Cited
253, 250, 144, 254, 147, 246A, 68
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, INDORE BENCH, INDORE
Before: SHRI B.M. BIYANI & SHRI PARESH M JOSHI
आदेश / O R D E R
Per Paresh M Joshi, J.M.:
This is an Appeal filed by the Assessee under section 253 of
the income tax Act 1961,[ herein after referred to as the Act
for the sake of brevity] before this Tribunal as & by way of
second appeal. The Assessee is aggrieved by the order bearing
Number:-ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2023-24/1054276234(1) dated
11.07.2023 passed by the Ld. CIT(A) u/s 250 of the Act,
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which is herein after referred to as the “Impugned order”.
The relevant assessment year is 2012-13 and the
corresponding previous year period is from 01.04.2011 to
31.03.2012.
Factual Matrix
2.1 That as and by way of an “ Assessment order” made u/s
144 r.w.s. 254 of the Act, the total income of the assessee
was computed & assessed at Rs. 2,78,42,370/-. The income
declared as per ROI was Rs. 28,82,060/-. The additions of
Rs.46,23,685/- was made towards unsecured loan, of
Rs. 44,70,967/- for sundry creditors, of Rs. 26,54,750/- for
other liabilities, of Rs. 26,69,795/- for interest claimed; of
Rs. 97,05,439/- for credits in capital, of Rs. 500000/- for
generator charges[+ Rs. 3,35,676/- addition already made on
account of “Unaccounted Contract receipt” as per order u/s
144 r.w.s 147 of the Act dt. 15.12.2017] . The aforesaid
Assessment Order is dated 29.11.2019 which is herein after
referred to as the “Impugned Assessment Order”.
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2.2 That the assessee being Aggrieved by the aforesaid
“Impugned Assessment Order” prefers the first appeal u/s
246A of the Act before the Ld. CIT(A) who by the “Impugned
Order” has dismissed the 1st appeal of the Assessee on the
grounds & reasons stated therein. The core grounds &
reasons for the dismissal of the 1st appeal are as under:-
“3. Decision on Grounds of Appeal: First Hearing Notice u/s 250 of the IT Act was issued to the assessee on 07-03-2020 to furnish the details on or before 11-03-2020. The notice was served on 07-03-2020 at email provided by the assessee shailendra.j30@gmail.com and was not complied with by the assessee. Second Hearing Notice u/s 250 of the IT Act was issued to the assessee on 19-01-2021 to furnish the details on or before 25-01-2021. The notice was served on 23-01-2021 at email provided by the assessee shailendra.j30@gmail.com and was not complied with by the assessee. Third Hearing Notice u/s 250 of the IT Act was issued to the assessee on 17-11-2021 to furnish the details on or before 24-11-2021. The notice was served on 17-11-2021 at email provided by the assessee shailendra.j30@gmail.com & shailendrasolanki123 @gmail.com and was not complied with by the assessee. Fourth Hearing Notice u/s 250 of the IT Act was issued to the assessee on 19-03-2022 to furnish the details on or before 28-03-2022. The notice was served
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on 19-03-2022 at email provided by the assessee shailendra.j30@gmail.com, kkcoind@gmail.com & shailendrasolanki123@gmail.com and was not complied with by the assessee. Fifth Hearing Notice u/s 250 of the IT Act was issued to the assessee on 30-06-2023 to furnish the details on or before 07-07-2023. The notice was served on 30-06-2023 at email provided by the assessee shailendra.j30@gmail.com, kkcoind@gmail.com & krampco@gmail.com and was not complied with by the assessee. It is quite manifest from the above that ample opportunities were conferred on the appellant in the course of Appellate proceedings. However, the Appellant chose not to pursue the matter. The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in M/s Chemipol vs. Union of India & Ors., in Central Excise Appeal No. 62 of 2009, vide judgement dated 17th September 2009 while considering the judgments of Hon'ble Supreme Court in CIT vs. S. Cheniappa Mudaliar, AIR 1969 SC 1068, Sunderlal Mannalal vs. Nandramdas Dwarkadas, AIR 1958, and other judgments observed as follows: "We cannot altogether lost sight of the Rule that every court or tribunal has an inherent power to dismiss a proceeding for non-prosecution when the petition/Appellant before it does not wish to prosecute the proceedings. In such a situation, unless the statute clearly requires the court or tribunal to hear the Appeal/proceeding and decide it on merits, it can dismiss the Appeal/proceeding for." The Delhi Bench of this tribunal in CIT vs. M/s Multiplan India Pvt. Ltd (1991) 38 ITD 320 (Del), has held that in a similar circumstances, the Appeal may be dismissed as unadmitted.
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In fact, the Hon'ble Apex Court in CIT vs. B. N. Bhattachargee & ANR (1979) 10 CTR 0354: (1979) 118 ITR 0461 has held that the words "preferred an appeal" in section 245 M means more than formally filling it but effectively pursuing it. In view of the above judicial pronouncements coupled with the fact that the appellant has not pursued the Appeal, I am left with no option but to complete the appeal proceedings based on documentary evidences available on record. Grounds 1 to 8: During the appeal proceedings, Grounds of appeal, Facts of the case, Assessment order dated 12.12.2019 are noted. During the appeal proceedings, no documentary evidences have been submitted by the appellant to verify his claim in-spite of multiple opportunities being provided by this office as stated above. As evidenced from the Assessment Order, no explanation was produced during the assessment proceedings. Therefore, the appeal is decided on the basis of verified documentary evidences available on record. AO has passed ex parte order due to non-attendance of assessment proceedings which is justified and is within the purview of Income Tax Act. On perusal of assessment order, it is noted that the assessee is habitual non-compliant. Further, the merits of the case known to assessee may differ with the AO's Best Judgement Assessment but the onus to reconcile the difference lies with the assessee. In the instant case, the appellant neither attended the assessment proceedings nor appeal proceedings, hence, I do not have any documentary evidences on record to provide relief to the appellant sought merely through it's grounds of appeal.
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In view of the above, order of AO is upheld and the grounds are noted as dismissed. In the result, the appeal is noted as dismissed”.
2.3 The assessee being aggrieved by the “Impugned Order”
has preferred the instant second appeal before this Tribunal &
has raised the following grounds of appeal in the Form No. 36
against the “Impugned Order” which are as under:-
“1. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs.46,23,685/- u/s 68. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 2. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs. 44,70,967/- u/s 68. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 3. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by 3 the AO of Rs.26,54,750/- u/s 68. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 4. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs.26,69,795/- as interest on account of unexplained loan and advances. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 5. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs.97,05,439/- u/s 68. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 6. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs.5,00,000/- disallowance of expenses claimed in profit and loss account. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted. 7. That the learned CIT(A) erred in maintaining addition made by the AO of Rs.3,35,676/-. The addition so made being illegal and wrong, the same may very kindly be deleted.”
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Record of Hearing
3.1 The hearing in the matter took place before this Tribunal
on 28.01.2026 when the Ld. AR for & on behalf of the
Assessee appeared before this Tribunal & inter alia contended
that the “Impugned Order” is bad in law, illegal & not
Proper. It is in the violation of the principles of natural
justice. It therefore deserves to be set aside. It was next
contended that the registry has pointed out that the delay of
643 days in filing the instant second appeal. It was submitted
that the “Impugned Order” is dated 11.07.2023 & the instant
appeal ought to have been filed on or before 11.09.2023,
however the instant appeal was filed before this Tribunal on
04.07.2025. An affidavit dated 16.07.2025 is placed on the
record of this Tribunal. With regards to the delay, it was
submitted basis said Affidavit as follows-
“ 5. That, the reasons for delays were:
That I have been suffering from Mysthanea Gravis disease since May 2022 till now. This is a neurological disorder and is of the nature of auto immune Disease.
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Since then I am under treatment of Dr. Abhay Bhagwat,
an Imminent Neurologist of Indore, under supervision of
Dr. Prakash Chitalkar, a famous cancer specialist of
Indore in Apollo Hospitals Indore. The relevant papers of
my disease are in two files attached herewith. I am still
under medicine and not able to properly handle my
income tax cases.
II) That, this firm T Logiks was a partnership firm of four
persons (a) me, (b) my wife Nayana, (C) my Son Tanmay
and (d) one Smt Saasha jain. My wife died in Dec. 2021
having a prolong disease sentimentally affecting me a
lot. My son, the other partner Mr. Tanmay Jain is also
not of perfectly sound mind and has been suffering from
Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder and is unable to
look after the affairs of the firm. Due to the above
reasons the firm has not been doing its business for a
long time and is in closed situation and, therefore, there
has been a delay of 664 days in filing the appeal and
consequently appeal could not be filed timely.”
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3.2 Per contra, the Ld. DR appearing for & on behalf of the
Revenue submitted that the delay be condoned as Medical
grounds/records show that the assessee’s firm’s partner was
mentally incapacitated due to factors stated in the Affidavit
during hearing too. In ultimate analysis the Ld. DR left the
issue of delay on the wisdom of Bench.
3.3 This Tribunal after hearing both the Ld. AR & Ld.DR
condone the delay as sufficient cause is shown. The appeal is
admitted & taken up for hearing.
3.4 The Ld. AR has placed of the record of this Tribunal a
brief “Synopsis” from pages 1 to 11 & a paper book containing
pages 1 to 131. Compilation of case laws from pages 1 to 71
too are placed on the record of this Tribunal in support. The
Ld. AR submitted that the assessee firm is a partnership firm.
Apart from the assessee, wife, son & on Smt. Saasha Jain
were partners . The assessee’s wife died in December 2021.
The son is suffering from Celebral Palsy, a neurological
disorder. Due to these factors, the assessee’s firm is not doing
any business since long time & is in closed situation. In the
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Form No. 35, the assessee’s email was
shailendrasolanki123@gmail.com at para 17 the “Impugned
Order” was however communicated to the assessee & not to
his counsel & even the final notice of opportunity was not
communicated to the assessee’s counsel. The assessee firm
being closed & the assessee’s main partner being bed ridden
as stated earlier & in Affidavit too, the effective participation
on the part of the assessee was not possible. It was finally
prayed that the “Impugned Order” be set aside & the matter
be remanded back to the file of the Ld.AO for de novo
adjudication.
3.5 Per contra, the Ld.DR for the revenue has not contested
the submission made by the Ld. AR & has stated fairly basis
contentions of the Ld. AR & contents of the Affidavit dt.
16.07.2025 of the assessee’s partner that plausible
explanation are given basis Medical grounds & records. The
Ld. DR stated that this Tribunal in its wisdom may take
appropriate call in this regard.
Observations Findings & conclusions
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4.1 We have to decide the legality, validity and proprietary of the
“impugned order” basis records of the case & the rival
submission canvassed before us.
4.2 We have carefully perused the records of the case and have
heard the submissions.
4.3 We basis records of the case & after hearing & upon
examining the rival contentions of the Ld. AR & the Ld. DR
canvassed before us, are of the considered view that the
“Impugned Assessment Order” is u/s 144 of the Act. The
matter has not been adjudicated and adjudged basis merits.
Even the “Impugned Order” is not on merits. This Tribunal
desires the meritorious disposal of both the “Impugned
Assessment Order” as well as the “Impugned Order”. In the
result we are of the considered opinion that the “Impugned
Order” should be set aside & the matter should be remanded
back to the file of Ld. AO for passing a fresh order on the
merits of the case. It is the expectation of this Tribunal that
the assessee would give his full & complete details, latest
email ID of his firm, including the Counsel’s. The assessee to
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attend the hearings as & when fixed. The assessee to file
reply, submissions, documents, materials, evidences etc. &
such other details as sought by the Ld. AO promptly without
delay. The assessee is directed to prepare his/it’s submissions
well in advance so that time is not wasted in the interim
process. The A.Y. is 2012-13 and hence it is expected that
now both the assessee & the revenue would cooperate with
each other in sportsmanship manner so that the income of
the assessee is adjudged & adjudicated on merits. The
assessee is to note that exchequer charges taxes according to
law for National Development.
4.4 In view of the above, we set aside the “Impugned order” and
remand the case back to the file of the Ld. AO on denovo basis,
who shall now pass a speaking & well reasoned within six months
from the date of receipt of this order.
5 Order
5.1 In the result, the impugned order is set aside as & by way of
remand back to the file of the Ld. AO with directions as aforsaid.
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5.2. In result, appeal of Assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.
Pronounced in open court on 06.02.2026.
Sd/- Sd/-
(BHAGIRATH MAL BIYANI) (PARESH M JOSHI)
ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER
Indore
Dated : 06 /02 /2026
Copies to: (1) The appellant (2) The respondent (3) CIT (4) CIT(A) (5) Departmental Representative (6) Guard File By order UE COPY Senior Private Secretary Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Indore Bench, Indore
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