JASTIYAMINI SATYA PRABHA,GUNTUR vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-2(3), GUNTUR

This appeal filed by the assessee is against the order of the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC, Delhi in DIN & Order No. ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2024-25/10656115154(1), dated 13/06/2024 arising out of the order passed U/s. 143(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [“the Act”] for the AY 2017-18.

Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the assessee is an individual, filed her return of income for the AY 2017-18 on 21/10/2017 admitting a total income of Rs. 4,96,920/-. The return of income was processed U/s. 143(1) of the Act by CPC, Bangalore and the case was selected for Limited Scrutiny under CASS to verify the cash deposit during demonetization period. Thereafter, notice U/s. 143(2) of the Act was issued on 21/09/2018 and notices U/s. 142(1) were issued on 02/01/2019 & 18/01/2019. Further, the Ld. AO also issued notice U/s. 133(6) of the Act to the Branch Manager, SBI, Guntur; Corporation Bank, Guntur and Bank of Baroda, Lakshmipuram, Guntur on various dates. In response to the notice U/s. 142(1) of the Act the assessee furnished her reply on 05/06/2019 along with the bank accounts’ statements, copy of Form 26AS and statement of income etc. Further, the Ld. AO also issued another notice U/s. 142(1) of the Act along with show cause notice on 19/11/2019 and called for certain other information with regard to the cash deposits of Rs. 15,65,000/- made during demonetization period. In reply, the assessee furnished her response on 13/12/2019. However, the assessee did not furnish any evidence / proof with regard to her claim and nexus of cash deposits made with that of the income from other sources shown in the return of income. After verification of the assessee’s submissions and the material available on record, the Ld. AO observed that, in the absence of any cogent proof / evidence with regard to the cash deposits made during the demonetization period, the cash deposits to the extent of Rs. 15,65,000/- was treated as unexplained money U/s. 69A of the Act and taxed the same U/s. 115BBE of the Act. Thus, the Ld. AO completed the assessment U/s. 143(3) of the Act and determined the total income at Rs. 20,61,920/- and passed the assessment order dated 20/12/2019. Aggrieved by the order of the Ld. AO, the assessee preferred an appeal before the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC.

On appeal, since there was no response from the assessee with respect to the hearing notices issued and in the absence of any representation on behalf of the assessee, the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC passed the order ex-parte and dismissed the assessee’s appeal by confirming the addition made by the Ld. AO. Aggrieved by the order of the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC, the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal by raising the following grounds of appeal:

Any other ground that may be urged at the time of appeal hearing.”

Ld. Departmental Representative [“Ld. DR”], on the other hand, vehemently opposed to the submissions of the Ld. AR and argued that several opportunities had been provided to the assessee however, on the given dates of hearing, neither the assessee nor his Representative has responded to the notices issued nor filed any details / submissions as called for by the Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC. It was further submitted that, under these circumstances, the Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC had no other option but to pass ex-parte order based on the materials available on record. Hence, it was pleaded that the order passed by the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC does not call for any interference.

I have heard the both the sides and carefully perused the materials available on record. On examining the facts of the case, I find that the Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC had posted the case on several occasions. However, there was no response on behalf of the assessee before the CIT(A)-NFAC on the dates of hearing with regard to the details / submissions as called for by the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC. Therefore, the Ld. CIT (A)-NAFC was left with no other option except to adjudicate the appeal ex-parte and dismissed appeal. In this situation, I am of the view that the Ld. CIT(A)-NFAC ought to have decided the case on merits instead of dismissing the appeal ex-parte. Therefore, considering the issues involved in the appeal and also considering the prayer of the Ld. AR, in the interest of justice as well as strictly following the principles of natural justice, I hereby remit the matter back to the file of Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC in order to consider the appeal afresh and decide the case on merits by providing one more opportunity to the assessee of being heard in accordance with the principles of natural justice. At the same breath, I also hereby caution the assessee to promptly co-operate before the Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC in the proceedings failing which the Ld. CIT (A)-NFAC shall be at liberty to pass appropriate order in accordance with law and merits based on the materials available on the record. It is ordered accordingly.

In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes as indicated hereinabove.