MRS BHAVANA RAJU SHINGOTE, NAGPUR vs. ITO WARD 1(5), NAGPUR

Captioned appeal by the assessee is against the impugned order dated 17/01/2024, passed by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi, [“learned CIT(A)”], for the assessment year 2017–18.

“1. The appellant authority erred in disallowing appeal only on basis of technical reason of minor delay, without consider the facts of case. 2. That the learned CIT appeal erred in adding Rs 38,23,000 to the income of appellant u/s 69 A of the Act. 3. That the learned CIT appeal erred in law and on the facts & circumstances of the case by not allowing appellant to represent case and decided appeal on the basic of ex-parte. 1

2 Smt. Bhavana Raju Shingote

4. The learned CIT appeal erred in law as well as on facts in applying the provisions of section 115BBE and thus levying tax @60percent and further surcharge @25 percent on unexplained money determined in the case of the appellant.

3. When this appeal is taken up for hearing, the learned A.R. appearing for the assessee submitted that the learned CIT(A) passed an ex-parte order and prayed that one opportunity may be granted by restoring the matter to the file of the learned CIT(A) to enable the assessee to substantiate its case before the learned CIT(A).

2. On the other hand, the learned D.R. submitted that despite the learned CIT(A) provided sufficient opportunities to the assesse, however, the assessee did not appeared before the learned CIT(A) and not furnished relevant details. He strongly supported the orders passed by the learned CIT(A).

3. I have heard both the parties, perused the materials available on record and gone through orders of the authorities below. I find that though the learned CIT(A) granted opportunities to the assessee to substantiate its case, ultimately, the order passed by him is an ex-parte order. Therefore, I am of the opinion that by following the principles of natural justice, one opportunity should be given to the assesse to substantiate the case before the learned CIT(A). In view of the above, the order passed by the learned CIT(A) is set aside and remit the matter to the file of the learned CIT(A) and direct him to 3 Smt. Bhavana Raju Shingote adjudicate the matter afresh on merit and in accordance with law after providing reasonable opportunity of being heard to the assessee. It is also directed that the assessee should not seek adjournment without there being a justified reason. Accordingly, all the grounds raised by the assessee in this appeal are allowed for statistical purposes.