Facts
The assessee filed an appeal against the order of the CIT(A)-NFAC for assessment year 2009-10. The appeal involved proceedings under section 144 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The assessee's counsel stated that due to communication gaps at various levels, the assessee could not appear to present their case.
Held
The Tribunal acknowledged the possibility of communication gaps due to the newly introduced virtual hearing mechanism. In the interest of justice, the appeal was set aside and restored back to the CIT(A)/NFAC for fresh adjudication.
Key Issues
Whether the appeal should be restored to the CIT(A)-NFAC due to communication gaps preventing the assessee from presenting their case.
Sections Cited
144
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, AGRA BENCH, AGRA
Before: SHRI SATBEER SINGH GODARA & SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL
ORDER
Per Satbeer Singh Godara, Judicial Member:
This assessee’s appeal for assessment year 2009-10, arises against the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-National Faceless Appeal Centre [in short, the “CIT(A)-NFAC”],Delhi’s DIN and order no. ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2023-24/1061712816(1) dated 29.02.2024, involving proceedings under section 144 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’).
Heard both the parties at length. Case file perused.
Learned counsel submits at the outset that on account of communication gaps at various levels, the assessee could not appear to plead and prove all the relevant facts in lower appellate proceedings and therefore, in the larger interest of justice, the matter be restored back to the CIT(A)/NFAC. The Revenue vehemently supports the learned lower authority’s action making the addition(s) herein on merits.
Be that as it may, the fact remains that possibility of some communication gaps at various levels in such an instance of the newly introduced virtual hearing mechanism could not be altogether ruled out. It is, therefore, deemed appropriate in the larger interest of justice to set aside the assessee’s instant appeals back to the CIT(A)/NFAC for his afresh appropriate adjudication, within three effective opportunities of hearing at the appellant’s risk and responsibility, in consequential proceedings. Ordered accordingly.
This assessee’s appeal is allowed for statistical purposes.
Order pronounced in the open court on 13.02.2025.