ACIT 32(1), MUMBAI vs. HIRALAL K. PATEL, MUMBAI

The facts of the case in brief are that during the course of assessment proceedings, the AO noticed that the assessee has made total purchases of Rs.6,42,02,465/-. The assessee was called upon by the AO to furnish the party-wise details of purchases along with other details as to VAT etc which were duly filed by the assessee. From the details supplied by the assessee, the AO found that the same suppliers supplying goods to the assessee whose names were appearing in the list of hawala dealers as published on the website of Sales Tax Department, Government of Maharashtra. From the 9 parties, the assessee has made purchases of Rs.74,51,506/-. The notice sent by the AO to these parties u/s 133(6) to verify the genuineness of purchases were returned unserved with the postal remarks. The AO issued show cause notice dated 17.2.2014 to the assessee to show cause as to why these purchases should not be added to the total income of the assessee which was replied by the assessee vide letter dated 28.2.2014 without submitting any details and copies of 3 purchase bills, statement of bank and transaction thereof. Ultimately, the assessment was framed vide order dated 7.3.2014 passed under section 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 by assessing the total income at Rs.1,02,65,880/- after making addition of Rs.74,51,506/- u/s 69C of the towards bogus purchases. During the appellate proceedings the ld.CIT(A) partly allowed the appeal of the assessee by sustaining the addition towards GP at the rate of 8% of the total bogus purchases of Rs.74,51,506/- which worked out to Rs.5,96,120/- and thus allowed the relief of Rs.68,55,386/- after considering the various contentions and submissions as raised by the assessee in incorporated in the appellate order.

We have carefully considered the rival contentions and perused the material placed before us including the impugned orders of authorities below. We find that the FAA after considering the detailed submissions and examination of records of purchases made by the assessee in respect of these parties, partly upheld the addition. Thus, the claim of the assessee sustained in part towards the GP on such purchases at the rate of 8% which comes to Rs.5,96,120/-. We also find from the record before us that earlier GP of the assessee ranges between 8 to 9% in the preceding three assessment years and in succeeding year. Further, the assessee has produced bills and vouchers including the quantitative details of purchases, delivery challans, bank statements showing the names of these parties. Therefore in view of these facts and circumstances, we are 4 in agreement with the conclusion drawn by the ld.CIT(A) by applying GP rate on the total purchases. Moreover, the AO has not disputed the sales of assessee. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal of the revenue by ujpholding the order of CIT(A). 5. In the result, the appeal of the revenue is dismissed.