P.E.64 KODUMUDI BLOCK T AND P SERVANTS CO-OP T AND C SOCIETY LIMITED,ERODE vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD 2(1) ERODE, ERODE
What did the Tribunal hold?
The Tribunal condoned the delay in filing the appeal and, while noting the assessee's non-cooperation, decided to provide another opportunity for hearing before the AO in the interest of natural justice, subject to payment of costs.
What were the facts?
The assessee, a co-operative society, claimed exemption under Section 80P and declared Nil income. The Assessing Officer (AO) made an addition of Rs. 96,91,399/- as cash deposit under Section 144 for non-compliance with notices. The CIT(A) also passed an ex-parte order confirming the addition.
What were the issues?
Whether the assessee should be granted another opportunity to present its case before the AO despite previous non-compliance, and the validity of penalty proceedings initiated based on an ex-parte assessment order.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ‘C’ BENCH: CHENNAI
Before: SHRI MAHAVIR SINGH & SHRI JAGADISH
आदेश / O R D E R
PER JAGADISH, A.M : Aforesaid appeals filed by the assessee for Assessment Years 2018-19 are against the orders of Learned Commissioner of Income Tax, National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi [hereinafter “CIT(A)”] dated 14.03.2024 & 31.05.2024 in the matter of assessment framed by Ld. Assessing Officer [AO] u/s.144 r.w.s 144B of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter “the Act”) on 29.04.2021.
& 1897/Chny/2024 :- 2 -:
There is a delay of 60 days in filing the appeal by the assessee petition stating the reasons for delay in filing the appeal. We have considered the petition of delay in filing the appeal and satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing the appeal within the prescribed time limit. Hence, the delay is condoned accordingly.
The only effective ground of appeal in this appeal of assessee is against confirming the cash deposit of Rs. 96,91,399/- by the Ld. CIT(A).
4. The assessee is a co-operative society and filed return of income electronically on 28.09.2018 declaring total income at Nil after claiming exemption u/s. 80P of the Act. The case was selected for scrutiny and notices were issued u/s. 142(1) of the Act but the assessee has not complied with the notices. The A.O therefore, passed order u/s. 144 of the Act adding the cash deposit in the total income. The Ld. CIT(A)
1. has issued notice on 28.09.2022 and 22.02.2024, but the assessee has not availed the opportunity and therefore, the Ld. CIT(A) has passed ex-parte order confirming the addition made by A.O.
& 1897/Chny/2024 :- 3 -:
The Ld. Authorized Representative (A.R) of the assessee before us has submitted that cash deposit is from members and submitted copy of day book, bank statement and audit report in support of its contention. The Ld AR requested that one more opportunity may be provided to explain before the Ld AO in the interest of justice as the assessment order and order of Ld. CIT(A) have been passed ex-parte.
The Ld. Departmental Representative (DR), on the other hand, has argued that the assessee has been non-complied before A.O as well as Ld. CIT(A) therefore, the assessee’s prayer should be rejected or cost may be imposed.
We have heard the rival submissions, and perused the materials available on record. The assessment order in this case has been passed u/s. 144 of the Act and the Ld. CIT(A) has also passed order ex-parte confirming the addition of unexplained cash credits of Rs.96,91,399/-. We find that the assessee has been negligent and non cooperative before the A.O as well as Ld. CIT(A). We, therefore of the opinion that keeping in view the principles of natural justice, the assessee be provided with another opportunity of hearing to substantiate his case before the A.O subject to payment of costs of & 1897/Chny/2024 :- 4 -:
Rs. 25,000/-. The same shall be paid by the assessee to Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority at Hon’ble High Court of Madras within a period of one month from the date of receipt of this order and produce the receipt before the A.O. Accordingly, we set aside the order passed by the A.O and remit the matter back to the file of the A.O to adjudicate this appeal afresh in accordance with law, after giving reasonable opportunity to the assessee. We also direct the assessee to appear before the A.O on the date of hearing without fail.
In view of the above, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
ITA No.1897/Chny/2024:
The A.O has levied penalty u/s 271AAC in respect of addition of cash deposit made u/s. 58 of the Act in the assessment order. As we have already set aside the assessment order, the penalty levied u/s. 271AAC(1) of the Act also set aside as it does not have leg to stand.
However, we clarify that the A.O will be free to initiate fresh penalty during set aside proceeding. In view of this, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.
& 1897/Chny/2024 :- 5 -:
In the result, both the appeals filed by the assessee are allowed for statistical purposes.
Order pronounced in the Open Court on 24th October, 2024.
More judgments on Section 144B
- Sar Business Tradelink Private Limited… vs Income Tax Officer, Ward - 1(2), RaipurITA 599/RPR/2026[2014-15]Status: Heard21 Oct 2026AY 2014-15
- Mohammed Javed Bhati, Sikar vs Income Tax Officer, Ward 1, SikarITA 994/JPR/2025[2018-19]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2018-19
- Haresh Sharma, Ahmedabad vs ITO, Ward 5(3)(1), AhmedabadITA 2125/AHD/2026[2019-2020]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2019-2020
- Haresh Sharma, Ahmedabad vs ITO, Ward 5(3)(1), AhmedabadITA 2124/AHD/2026[2019-20]Status: Disposed21 Oct 2026AY 2019-20
- Hemal Paresh Madeka, Rajkot vs Asst.Commissioner of Income Tax…ITA 955/RJT/2026[2020-21]Status: Disposed19 Oct 2026AY 2020-21
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Sutlej Textiles And Industries Limited vs. Union Of INDIARajasthan · 26 Oct 2026
- M/S. Ut Corp vs. Union Of INDIARajasthan · 26 Oct 2026
- Sunrise Engineering vs. The State Of Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh · 26 Oct 2026
- M/S Kalra Traders vs. Union Of INDIAUttarakhand · 26 Oct 2026
- Ms Isoft vs. The Commissioner State TaxUttarakhand · 26 Oct 2026