Facts
The assessee's appeal is directed against an order dated 11.07.2023 passed by the Ld. CIT(A). The assessee claimed long-term capital gain on the sale of shares, and the CIT(A) confirmed additions related to bogus long-term capital gain and commission. The assessee alleged that the CIT(A) passed the order ex-parte without considering submissions due to missed notices.
Held
The Tribunal held that there existed a reasonable cause for the assessee's failure to comply with the notices issued by the CIT(A). In the interest of substantial justice, the issue in dispute was restored back to the file of the CIT(A) for a fresh decision.
Key Issues
Whether the CIT(A) erred in passing an ex-parte order without considering the assessee's submissions, and whether the grounds raised by the assessee warrant restoration of the appeal to the CIT(A) for a fresh adjudication.
Sections Cited
68, 69C, 148
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, MUMBAI BENCH “F” MUMBAI
Before: SHRI OM PRAKASH KANT & SHRI RAHUL CHAUDHARY
This appeal by the assessee is directed against order dated 11.07.2023 passed by the Ld. Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) – National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi [in short ‘the Ld. CIT(A)’] for assessment year 2013-14, raising following grounds:
Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah
On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the learned CIT (A) erred in learned CIT (A) erred in confirming long term capital gain on sale of confirming long term capital gain on sale of shares as bogus long term capital gain and confirm the addition us 68 shares as bogus long term capital gain and confirm the addition us 68 shares as bogus long term capital gain and confirm the addition us 68 of the entire sale proceeds from the sale of shares amounting to Rs. of the entire sale proceeds from the sale of shares amounting to Rs. of the entire sale proceeds from the sale of shares amounting to Rs. 1,25,55,092/ 1,25,55,092/-. The learned CIT (A) has ignored the facts written in . The learned CIT (A) has ignored the facts written in statement of facts that shares were traded on a recognized stock ement of facts that shares were traded on a recognized stock ement of facts that shares were traded on a recognized stock exchange i.e. BSE and there can not be a manipulation in the share exchange i.e. BSE and there can not be a manipulation in the share exchange i.e. BSE and there can not be a manipulation in the share price.
On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the addition u/s 69C on adhoc learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the addition u/s 69C learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the addition u/s 69C basis amounting to Rs. 3,76,652/ basis amounting to Rs. 3,76,652/- being 3% of sale proceeds of Rs. being 3% of sale proceeds of Rs. 1,25,55,092/ 1,25,55,092/- as commission to the broker for the purpose of trading. as commission to the broker for the purpose of trading. The appellant has not paid any commission to the broker. He had paid The appellant has not paid any commission to the broker. He had paid The appellant has not paid any commission to the broker. He had paid the brokerage to the broker on sale tran the brokerage to the broker on sale transactions which is duly reflected sactions which is duly reflected in the contract notes. in the contract notes. 3. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the issuing notice u/s 148 merely learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the issuing notice u/s 148 merely learned CIT (A) erred in confirming the issuing notice u/s 148 merely on the basis of the information allegedly received from Kolkata on the basis of the information allegedly received from Kolkata on the basis of the information allegedly received from Kolkata Investigation wing stating that the shares sold by the appellant are nvestigation wing stating that the shares sold by the appellant are nvestigation wing stating that the shares sold by the appellant are penny stocks though it was submitted in the statement of facts that penny stocks though it was submitted in the statement of facts that penny stocks though it was submitted in the statement of facts that shares were traded on a recognized stock exchange. However while shares were traded on a recognized stock exchange. However while shares were traded on a recognized stock exchange. However while issuing reasons for reopening the learned A.O. has never asked about issuing reasons for reopening the learned A.O. has neve issuing reasons for reopening the learned A.O. has neve the two companies namely Aricent Infra Ltd. and KGN Enterprises Ltd. the two companies namely Aricent Infra Ltd. and KGN Enterprises Ltd. the two companies namely Aricent Infra Ltd. and KGN Enterprises Ltd. He had asked only about one company i.e. Esaar (India) Ltd. The He had asked only about one company i.e. Esaar (India) Ltd. The He had asked only about one company i.e. Esaar (India) Ltd. The reopening is bad in law as the reasons which are not provided during reopening is bad in law as the reasons which are not provided during reopening is bad in law as the reasons which are not provided during the course of assessment. the course of assessment. 4. On the facts a On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law the nd in the circumstances of the case and in law the learned CIT (A) erred in passing the order without ensuring service of learned CIT (A) erred in passing the order without ensuring service of learned CIT (A) erred in passing the order without ensuring service of notice or intimation and/or offering opportunity to make submissions to notice or intimation and/or offering opportunity to make submissions to notice or intimation and/or offering opportunity to make submissions to your appellant. The appellant had sought adjournment on 29.05.2023 your appellant. The appellant had sought adjournment on 29.05. your appellant. The appellant had sought adjournment on 29.05. for 15 days as details and documents which were submitted during for 15 days as details and documents which were submitted during for 15 days as details and documents which were submitted during assessment were not with me and were with C.A. BAPS & Associates assessment were not with me and were with C.A. BAPS & Associates assessment were not with me and were with C.A. BAPS & Associates partner Bimal V Rathi. The appellant had to collect papers from him partner Bimal V Rathi. The appellant had to collect papers from him partner Bimal V Rathi. The appellant had to collect papers from him and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They were subsequently and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They were s and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They were s collected and they had prepared reply. The appellant was waiting for collected and they had prepared reply. The appellant was waiting for collected and they had prepared reply. The appellant was waiting for notice of refixing the matter and no messages and no mails regarding notice of refixing the matter and no messages and no mails regarding notice of refixing the matter and no messages and no mails regarding notice for fixing of hearing is received by the appellant hence he had notice for fixing of hearing is received by the appellant hence he had notice for fixing of hearing is received by the appellant hence he had not filed any submission as new not not filed any submission as new notice has not been issued though ice has not been issued though awaited. The appellant is also enclosing affidavit containing facts of awaited. The appellant is also enclosing affidavit containing facts of awaited. The appellant is also enclosing affidavit containing facts of non filing of submission to CIT (A). non filing of submission to CIT (A). 2. At the outset, before us, the Ld. counsel for the assessee At the outset, before us, the Ld. counsel for the assessee At the outset, before us, the Ld. counsel for the assessee submitted that the impugned order has been passed ex-parte by the submitted that the impugned order has been passed submitted that the impugned order has been passed Ld. CIT(A) without considering submission Ld. CIT(A) without considering submissions of the assessee and of the assessee and therefore, matter may be restored back to the Ld. CIT(A) for deciding therefore, matter may be restored back to the Ld. CIT(A) for deciding therefore, matter may be restored back to the Ld. CIT(A) for deciding afresh after considering the submission of the assessee. The Ld. afresh after considering the submission of the assessee. The Ld. afresh after considering the submission of the assessee. The Ld.
Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah counsel referred to the affidavit explaining re counsel referred to the affidavit explaining reasons as why the asons as why the notices issued by the Ld. CIT(A) could not be responded. The notices issued by the Ld. CIT(A) could not be responded. The notices issued by the Ld. CIT(A) could not be responded. The relevant part of the affidavit of the assessee is reproduced as under: relevant part of the affidavit of the assessee is reproduced as under: relevant part of the affidavit of the assessee is reproduced as under:
“AFFIDAVIT I, Jaynik I, I, Jaynik Mahendrakumar Jaynik Mahendrakumar Mahendrakumar Shah, Shah, Shah, aged aged aged 59 years, having PAN 59 years, having 59 years, having PAN PAN ABUPS6099L residing at 802, Dena Bank ABUPS6099L residing at 802, Dena Bank Staff Arunodaya, Juhu Lane Staff Arunodaya, Juhu Lane Andheri (W) Mumbai Andheri (W) Mumbai-400058 hereby state on solemn affirmation as hereby state on solemn affirmation as follows: - I have preferred the appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax ave preferred the appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax ave preferred the appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) for e A.Y. 2013 (Appeals) for e A.Y. 2013-14 by filing the same in February, 2019. 14 by filing the same in February, 2019. I had sought adjournm I had sought adjournment on 29.05.2023 for 15 days as details and ent on 29.05.2023 for 15 days as details and documents which were submitted during assessment were not with me documents which were submitted during assessment were not with me documents which were submitted during assessment were not with me and were with C.A. and were with C.A. BAPS & Associates partner Bimal V Rathi. I had to BAPS & Associates partner Bimal V Rathi. I had to collect papers from him and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They collect papers from him and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They collect papers from him and give the same to M/s V. C. Shah & Co. They were subsequently collected and they had prepared reply. I was waiting subsequently collected and they had prepared reply. I was waiting subsequently collected and they had prepared reply. I was waiting for notice of refixing the matter. for notice of refixing the matter. After that no messages and no mails regarding notice for fixing of hearing After that no messages and no mails regarding notice for fixing of hearing After that no messages and no mails regarding notice for fixing of hearing is received by me hence I had not filed any submission as new notice has is received by me hence I had not filed any submission as new notice has is received by me hence I had not filed any submission as new notice has not been issued. en issued. Meanwhile I have received message of order passed by the CIT Appeal Meanwhile I have received message of order passed by the CIT Appeal Meanwhile I have received message of order passed by the CIT Appeal and I checked the portal then I come to know about the two notices for and I checked the portal then I come to know about the two notices for and I checked the portal then I come to know about the two notices for fixing the date has been issued dated 02.06.2023 and 22.06.2023 has fixing the date has been issued dated 02.06.2023 and 22.06.2023 has fixing the date has been issued dated 02.06.2023 and 22.06.2023 has been missed by me due to non receipt o been missed by me due to non receipt of messages or email. f messages or email. Hence I could not file the submission to the CIT (A). Hence I could not file the submission to the CIT (A). I request your honour to kindly accept the submissions and consider I request your honour to kindly accept the submissions and consider I request your honour to kindly accept the submissions and consider while deciding the appeal.”
The Ld. Departmental Representative (DR) did not seriously The Ld. Departmental Representative (DR) did not seriously The Ld. Departmental Representative (DR) did not seriously object for restoring th object for restoring the matter back to the file of the Ld. CIT(A). e matter back to the file of the Ld. CIT(A).
We have heard rival submission of the parties and perused the We have heard rival submission of the parties and perused the We have heard rival submission of the parties and perused the relevant material on record. In relevant material on record. In view of the reasons for non the reasons for non- compliance before the Ld. CIT(A) explain compliance before the Ld. CIT(A) explained by the assessee. w ed by the assessee. we feel that there exists a reasonable cause on the part of the assessee in reasonable cause on the part of the assessee in reasonable cause on the part of the assessee in Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah Jaynik Mahendrakumar Shah failure to comply the notices by the Ld. CIT(A) failure to comply the notices by the Ld. CIT(A). Accordingly, in the . Accordingly, in the interest of substantial justice, w interest of substantial justice, we feel it appropriate to restore the e feel it appropriate to restore the issue in dispute involved in the appeal dispute involved in the appeal back to the file of the Ld back to the file of the Ld. CIT(A) for deciding afresh after taking into consideration CIT(A) CIT(A) for for deciding deciding afresh afresh after after taking taking into into consideration consideration submission of the assessee. The Ld. counsel for the assessee has submission of the assessee. The Ld. counsel for the assessee has submission of the assessee. The Ld. counsel for the assessee has given undertaking before us that notices which will be issued by the given undertaking before us that notices which will be issued by the given undertaking before us that notices which will be issued by the Ld. CIT(A) would be duly complied by the assessee. Accordingl be duly complied by the assessee. Accordingl be duly complied by the assessee. Accordingly, the grounds of the appeal of the assessee are allowed for statistical grounds of the appeal of the assessee are allowed for statistical grounds of the appeal of the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.
In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. statistical purposes.