VENKATA SUDHAKAR SIMHADRI,HYDERABAD vs. DCIT., CIRCLE-2(1), HYDERABAD

This appeal is filed by Shri Venkata Sudhakar Simhadri (“the assessee”), feeling aggrieved by the order passed by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi (“Ld. CIT(A)”), dated 19.12.2023 for the AY 2013-14.

At the outset, it is seen that, there is a delay of 56 days in filing of this appeal for which the assessee has filed a condonation petition along with affidavit explaining the reasons for such delay. After considering the contents of the condonation petition and after hearing the learned DR, the delay of 56 days in filing of this appeal is condoned and the appeal is admitted for adjudication.

As such, the assessment made u/s. 147 r.w.s. 144 r.w.s. 144B of the I.T. Act, 1961 for the A.Y. 2013-14 based on an invalid notice u/s. 148 is also bad in law and shall be considered as null and void ab initio.

On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the learned CIT (Appeals) ignored the ground raised

For these and other reasons which may be adduced at the time of hearing, it is therefore prayed that the additions made by the learned A.O. which were confirmed by the learned CIT (Appeals) in the ex-parte orders passed for the A.Y. 2013-14 may kindly be deleted.

The appellant craves leave to add/alter any of the ground of appeal

Brief facts of the case are that the assessment proceedings u/s.147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’) were initiated in the case of the assessee for the A.Y. 2013-14 on the basis of information that the assessee had interest income of Rs. 25,82,272/- as per TDS Return U/s. 194A of the Act and also had time deposit of Rs. 1,18,45,078/- with a bank. However the assessee had not filed the Return of Income for the AY 2013-14. Hence a notice u/s.148 of the Act was issued to the assessee on 31.03.2021 by the Learned Assessing Officer (“Ld.AO”), required the assessee to file the return of income. However, the assessee neither filed the return of income nor furnished any information / reply in response to the notices issued. Consequently, the assessment was completed by the Assessment Unit, Income Tax Department (“Ld.AO”) u/s 147 r.w.s. 144 r.w.s 144B of the Act making an addition of Rs.1,44,27,350/- on 15.03.2022.

Feeling aggrieved with the order of learned CIT(A), the assessee is now in appeal before us, contending that the authorities erred in declining sufficient opportunity to the assessee in explaining the interest received and the sources of time deposit with bank. It is further contended that the learned CIT(A) has passed the order without providing proper opportunity. The learned AR further submitted that the assessee does not stand to gain by allowing the appeal to be disposed of without any documentary evidence being produced and it is only due to the reasons beyond the control of the assessee, the assessee could not produce the documents. By consolidating all the grounds, he further submitted that given an opportunity, the assessee is now ready to produce all such details and conduct the proceedings diligently and get the matter disposed of on merits.

Per contra, learned DR placed heavy reliance on the orders of the authorities below, and submitted that sufficient opportunity has already been given by the authorities, but the assessee failed to avail the same. He opposed the grant of further opportunity to the assessee.

We have heard the rival submissions and also gone through the record in the light of the submissions made on either side. It could be seen from the orders of the authorities that the assessee failed to produce the details with regards to the interest received and the sources of time deposit with bank, which resulted in passing the orders without consideration thereof. It is a fact that the assessee does not stand to gain by not producing such documents. Be that as it may, now that the assessee is ready to produce all such documentary evidence in support of his contentions and get the matter disposed of on merits. The highest that would happen by allowing an opportunity to the assessee is that a cause would be decided on merits. With this view of the matter, we are of the view that fresh opportunity should be given to the assessee and, accordingly, we set aside the impugned order and restore the issue to the file of the Ld. AO for passing a fresh order on merits after affording the opportunity of hearing to the assessee. Grounds of appeal are answered accordingly.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.