DAGINA JEWELLERS INDIA (P) LTD,SURAT vs. ACIT, CENTRAL CIRCLE-2, SURAT

This is bunch of seven appeals, consisting five appeals filed by the Assessee and two appeals filed by the Revenue pertaining, to the different assessment years, are directed against the separate orders passed by the Learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), Surat [in short “the ld. CIT(A)”], which in turn arise out of separate assessment orders passed by the Assessing Officer under section 143(3)/ 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [hereinafter referred to as the “Act”].

Since, the issues involved in all the appeals are common and identical; therefore, these appeals have been heard together and are being disposed of by this consolidated order. For the sake of convenience, the grounds as well as the facts narrated in for assessment year 2017-18, have been taken into consideration for deciding the above appeals en masse. 3. Although, appeals filed by the Assessee, and Revenue contain multiple ground of appeal

In response to this specific query, the assessee filed its reply vide letter dated 24.12.2019, which is reproduced below: “Your Goodself has proposed to estimate GP on gross sale of Rs. 120.01/-crores plus sales of February and March, 2017 on the base of records impounded viz. PDF file "DG-16-17" during survey proceedings. It is submitted that the records of DG-16-17 are not fully correct and there is huge mistake in entering data as well as computer system taking incorrect data and that is why, it shows incorrect turnover and stock. Secondly, there is likely to be sale on jangad which might have been returned later on. So the gross sale of Rs.120.01/- crores is not acceptable.

However, the Assessing Officer rejected the contention of the assessee and observed that assessee has not disclosed the turnover to the extent of Rs.57.08 Crores. The contention that the assessee had disclosed Rs. 5/- Crores additional income which covers the profit on unaccounted turnover and hence no addition should be made; was not accepted by the Assessing Officer in view of the fact that the assessee had disclosed Rs.5.0 Crores against excess Stock found during the survey proceedings. Also, the disclosure of Rs.5.0 Crores made under PMGKY was in respect of Cash deposited during the demonetization period. Therefore, both the disclosure were made by the assessee against specific discrepancies noted during the survey proceedings, set off of the same therefore cannot be allowed against profit earned on undisclosed turnover. The explanation filed by the assessee is therefore not valid and not acceptable. Therefore, a sum of Rs.2,85,40,000/- as submitted by the assessee itself, being 5% of gross profit on undisclosed sales was added to the total income of the assessee.

Aggrieved by the order of Assessing Officer, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A), who has deleted the addition made by Assessing Officer.

Aggrieved by the order of ld. CIT(A), the Revenue is in appeal before us. & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.

Learned Departmental Representative (Ld. DR) for the Revenue argued that during the course of survey action, a hard disc (a data make) of 500 GB capacity containing books of accounts was also found and impounded. The Director of the M/s Dagina Jewellers (I) Pvt Ltd, Shri Ramesh Ganna in his sworn statement recorded on 03/02/2017 confirmed the ownership of this, hard disc and admitted in reply to question 6 and 18 of the statement that two sets of books of accounts are being maintained which are stored in this hard disc. From this hard disc a PDF file was extracted named "DG16-17" showing Trial balance for the F.Y. 16-17, till the date of Survey, (path:-old_D \ORN2008 \data \DG1617\020217.zip). This same PDF file was also found during the survey action and duly confronted with the director Shri Kishor Ganna. Shri Kishor Ganna has also placed his signature printout of the same which is duly impounded. In this connection show cause notice was issued to the assessee on 17.10.2019 and asked as to why the difference of Rs.43,10,67,877/- and sales made in the month of February and March 2017, should not be considered as suppressed Sale and G.P. thereon should not be added to the total income of the company. On perusal of reply vide letter dated 24.12.2019 of the assessee in response to this specific query, it was found that the explanation filed of the assessee was not valid and not acceptable. On perusal of contention of the assessee, it was noticed that the assessee had admitted that it has not disclosed the turnover to the extent of Rs.57.08 Crores and the assessee had disclosed Rs.5.0 Crores against excess stock found during the survey proceeding. Also, the disclosure of Rs.5.0 Crores made under PMGKY was in respect of Cash deposited during the demonetization period. Therefore, both the disclosure were made by the assessee against specific discrepancies noted during the survey proceedings, set off of the same therefore cannot be allowed against profit earned on undisclosed turnover. Therefore, a sum of Rs.2,85,00,000/- being 5% of gross profit on undisclosed sales was of Rs.57.08 Crores added to the total income of the assessee.

On the other hand, Learned Counsel for the assessee defended the order passed by the ld CIT(A). & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.

We have heard the rival contentions, perused the material on record and duly considered facts of the case in the light of the applicable legal position. The ld CIT(A) observed that there is no dispute that there was a turnover of Rs.57.08 Crore found to be the turnover outside the books of accounts during the survey proceedings. The assessee is also not disputing the gross profit on such turnover worked out by the Assessing Officer of Rs.2,85,40,000/-. The assessee is only requesting that the said gross profit worked out should be considered as part of the declaration made by the assessee of Rs.5 Crores during the course of survey. So, to say, the assessee is asking for telescoping of income earned against the overall declaration made. The Assessing Officer has rejected the plea of the assessee under the pretext that the assessee has made the declaration of R.5 Crore against the excess stock found. In the facts and circumstances of the assessee's case, either source of income needs to be taxed or its application needs to be taxed. If both gets taxed, it would amount to double taxation. In the instant case, the income earned by the assessee is invested in stock of gold bars. The Assessing Officer has not brought anything on record to show that the income earned from undisclosed sales has been invested in any other asset. Therefore, Assessing Officer needs to tax either the income or the application/investment in stock and cannot tax both. Therefore, the ld CIT(A) noted that assessee is entitled for the benefit of telescoping. For this, ld CIT(A) relied on the decision of the jurisdictional High Court in the case of PCIT vs Aliasgar Anwarali Varteji reported in 96 taxmann.com 231 (2018). The decision of the Hon'ble High Court is reproduced below: “3. We have heard Mrs. Mannu Bhat learned advocate appearing on behalf of the revenue. At the outset, it is required to be noted that the learned Assessing Officer made the addition of Rs.2,27,86,693/- on account of peak of negative cash in the books of account. However, the assessee explained the same and submitted that much negative balance was on account of payment made out of the unaccounted income, and therefore, it was submitted that when the entire unaccounted income found during the search was offered as a part of the overall disclosure, the same cannot be added in the total income as undisclosed investment. It is required to be noted that the learned Tribunal has rightly observed that much negative balance was made on unaccounted income and when necessary entries were made in the books of account, it is bound to result in negative cash balance. We are in complete agreement with the view taken by the learned Tribunal, Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case and more particularly when the entire unaccounted income, which was found during the search, was offered as 8 & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. part of overall disclosure, learned Tribunal has rightly held that the assessee shall be entitled to the benefit of telescoping of negative cash balance against the disclosure made. Under the circumstances, the learned Tribunal has rightly allowed the assessee the benefit of telescoping the original disclosure made against the negative balance in the books of accounts. No substantial question of law arises. Under the circumstances, present TAX Appeal deserves to be dismissed and is accordingly dismissed.” 14. During the appellate proceedings, the assessee strongly urged that addition is required to be made either for source of income or for application of income whichever is higher. The assessee further submitted that the estimate of profit on undisclosed turnover is merely source of income and the same was lying in the form of excess stock. The facts of the case according to the assessee are that both the unaccounted turnover and unaccounted stock was found during the survey proceedings and, therefore, the undisclosed income is to be arrived at either considering source of income or investment in undisclosed stock (asset) (application of income) whichever is higher. Hence, ld CIT(A) noted that there is merit in the arguments of the assessee. Higher of source of income-or the investment in asset needs to be taken as the taxable income and it cannot be both. Therefore, ld CIT(A) noted that in the instant case of the assessee, the assessee earned a gross profit of Rs.2.85 crores. This gross profit would be present in the form of cash / stock/ bank deposit or investment. In the case of the assessee, the assessee will presume for a moment that it is present in the form of stock. If excess stock found is say worth Rs.5 Crore, the taxman needs to tax Rs.5 Crore being higher of the source and the application. In this case source is estimated to be Rs. 2.85 Crore but application/Investment is found to be Rs.5 Crore. If we tax both, it will amount to double taxation. Hence, higher of the two if taxed (in this example its Rs.5 Crore), it would be just and correct. 15. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of assessee's case, the application of income earned is found in excess stock found and also in cash deposited in the bank account. The source of earning is from profit earned on undisclosed turnover and application is in stock and cash deposited in Bank. As cash deposited in bank is being adjudicated separated, the assessing officer is directed to telescope the gross profit estimated on turnover outside the books of accounts against the excess ITA Nos. 30 & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. stock found. In view of the above, the ld CIT(A) directed the assessing officer to give the telescoping effect of income estimated on undisclosed turnover against the undisclosed excess stock of gold jewellery and bars found during the course of survey. Hence separate addition made by the assessing officer of Rs.2.85 Crore was deleted by ld CIT(A). We have gone through the above findings of ld CIT(A) and noted that there is no infirmity in the order passed by ld CIT(A). The conclusions arrived at by the CIT(A) are, therefore, correct and admit no interference by us. We, approve and confirm the order of the CIT(A) and dismiss the ground nos. 1 and 2 raised by the Revenue in for AY.2017-18.

Now, we shall take ground no.3 raised by the Revenue in ITA No.51/SRT/2022 for AY.2017-18, reads as follows: “(ii) Ground No.3: The Ld. CIT(A) erred in restricting the addition of Rs.7,12,00,000/- on account of cash deposited during the demonetization period to Rs.35,33,091/- without considering the fact that assessee did not explain the source of cash deposited.”

Brief facts qua ground no.3 are that during the demonetization period, the assessee is found to have deposited cash aggregating to Rs.12,12,00,000/- in the bank with Oriental Bank of Commerce A/c No. 01024011000520. The details of the cash deposits are as under: DATE Cash amount deposited in Rs. Total amount in a day in Rs. 10.11.2016 1,50,00,000 3,50,00,000 1,50,00,000 6,50,00,000 13.11.2016 1,50,00,000 50,00,000 2,00,00,000 14.11.2016 1,85,00,000 1,85,00,000 17.11.2016 20,00,000 10,00,000 30,00,000 18.11.2016 18,00,000 72,00,000 90,00,000 19.11.2016 27,00,000 27,00,000 21.11.2016 20,00,000 20,00,000 25.11.2016 10,00,000 10,00,000 12,12,00,000 The assessee claims to have made these cash deposits sourced from the cash sales made prior to demonetization period. In the survey proceedings, it was found that & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. there was huge irregularity and as per the computer records, the bills were prepared not on the date of sales but on much later dates. The assessee was asked to file its submission to explain the discrepancies noted vide notice dated 17.10.2019. The relevant portion of the notice is reproduced as under: “During the year under consideration, particularly in the demonetization period, you have made cash deposit of Rs.12.12 Crores in your bank account maintained with Oriental Bank of Commerce. Your reference is invited to Log sheets generated from the computer at your permissions during the survey, in respect of Cash Sales bills. These log sheets were dully impounded during the Survey as per Annexure BF-10 (Total 54 pages, each page signed by Shri Kishor Ganna, director of the company). On perusal of these, it can be seen that Cash Sale bills of November 2016 have been entered in the computer system by giving them prior dates. A copy of log sheet Performa is pasted at page 6 of assessing officer order (Page 54) which clearly gives description such as- Date of entry/modification, Time, Action, User & Voucher date inter-alia other details field. 30.2 A careful glance reveals that these are several Cash Sales entries, though entered on 09.11.2016, their voucher dates are entered as 20.10.2016 and 21.10.2016 (reference invited to pages 40 to 54 of Annexure BF-10) 30.3 Attention is invited to Page 47-48 (copies pasted below), wherein Cash Sales bills which were entered on 11th & 13th November 2016, whereas the Cash voucher dates are given 28 to 30 October 2016 & 8th Nov. 2016 (1 voucher). It is interesting to note the time of entry captured by the computer systems. 30.4 As can be seen, the Computer system generates time stamp in 24.00 hour format (No AM/PM stamp is there). As many as 25 entries were done past midnight of 12th Nov/ 13th Nov 2016, i.e. in the night/early morning from 00.18 hrs to 01.48 hrs. This clearly means; these entries are not real time entries done at the time of transactions, but done later past midnight when the shop was closed & to allow manipulation/fabrication at the convenience of the Assessee. 30.5 It is pertinent to point out that as per the Performa the "Action" field clearly indicates the action taken as 'Entered' or 'Modified'. In all such entries which were back dated, the action field in marked as 'Entered' implying those entries where done first time on the date mentioned therein, whereas Voucher date (Vchdate) or Sale date is show of earlier period (pre demonetization). 30.6 These anomalies were dully confronted with the director Shri Ramesh Ganna in his statement recorded on 02.02.2017 during Survey action. In his reply to the specific question No. 28 in this regard Shri Ramesh Ganna could not explain the anomaly satisfactorily & party admitted that due to these anomalies he is disclosing Rs.5.00 crores, under PMGKY. However, no explanation offered for explaining remaining Rs. 7.12 crore. 30.7 In view of the above mentioned facts, evidences from digital data & absence of proper explanation by the director when categorically confronted in his statement during survey; it indicates that the alleged Cash Sales which was & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. claimed to be the source of aggregate Cash deposit of Rs. 12.12 Crores during demonetization period, is not tenable and reliable. 30.8 You are hereby given one more opportunity to explain the source of Cash deposited of Rs.12.12 Crore during demonetization period. You are also required to furnish your reply in view of above mentioned facts and evidences, as to why cash deposited of Rs. 12.12 Crore should not be treated as unexplained credit in your books account.

In response to this specific query, regarding cash deposit during demonetization period, the assessee filed written submission vide letter dated 24.12.2019, which is reproduced as under: “During the demonetization period, there was cash deposit of Rs. 12.12 crores in the bank account. The cash was deposited out of cash sales prior to 09.11.2016. There was cash on hand higher than Rs. 12.12 crores on closing of 08.11.2016 out of which the amount was deposited during the demonetization period. During the survey proceedings, as per the records impounded, there was sufficient sales in the accounts to prove the deposit of above said cash on hand. The assessee had sufficient cash on hand and sales which is proved by the chart filed herewith. The sales are supported by bills. The assessee has produced the copies of bills and delivery challans for verification. A few sample copies of both are filed. Your Goodself has relied upon certain computer data wherein it is found that the bill date and the date of bill entered in the computer are different. Your Goodself has presumed that the bill is raised in the dates of earlier period after the demonetization period. It is strongly submitted that, during the diwali time, the shops remains open till late night and the due to inadequate staff, the manual bills were raised and later on, they were entered into the computer after the diwali vacation. It is for this reason, that the date of bill is different than the date of data entry in the computer.

The assessee has also filed submission before the Assessing Officer about the issue on cash deposit, vide letter dated 18.12.2019 filed on 26.12.2019, which is reproduced as under: “Regarding cash deposit during demonetization period - It is submitted that assessee had deposited Rs. 12.12/- crores during the demonetization period and to that extent it had reduced the quantity in the books of accounts. In order to avoid litigation, the assessee had disclosed Rs. 5/- crores additional income during the year. So far as the balance amount of Rs. 7.12/- crores are concerned, they are out of cash on hand on account of sales, collection of debtors, the earlier balance of cash on hand etc. It is submitted that the doubt was raised merely because the posting date and voucher date are different in the computer data. It is submitted that the computer data was entered later on and that is why there is difference in the date. It is further submitted that the date of posting and the date of transactions were recorded in the similar fashion even after the demonetization & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. period. It is submitted that the sales bills were found and inventory was taken in BF-18 (not impounded) and, therefore, it should be assumed that genuine sales. It is further submitted that there was diwali on 30.10.2016 and prior to that it was a peak season time. After diwali, the accountant and the major staff had gone their native and that is the normal practice in Surat. Thus, the sales which took place between 30.10.2016 to 06.11.2016, the bills could not be prepared in the computer system on the relevant date due to lack of staff and the same were prepared later on and entered also late. Secondly, there was cash on hand of Rs.26,47,736/- on 14.10.2016 which should also be given credit against deposit of cash during the demonetization period. Without prejudice to the above and in alternative In case, Your Goodself make any addition, on account of alleged non-genuine sales, prior to demonetization period against which cash was deposited, than, to that extent, the quantity / value of stock as per account ought to be taken at higher the amount, as according to the revenue, there was no sale. I therefore request Your Goodself to give credit of stock held, not to be sold prior to demonetization period. It is clarified that, my client had reduced the quantity and value of stock by taking into account, sales till the date of survey which includes sales prior to demonetization period. Explanation on cash deposits in demonetization in the tabular form Particulars Amount Amount Cash deposited during the demonetization 12,12,00,000 period Less : Income disclosed in the return of income 5,00,00,000 Less : Cash on hand as on 14.10.2016 26,47,736 Less: Genuine cash sales / recovery debtors 6,85,52,264 12,12,00,000 20. However, the assessing officer observed that as evidenced by the digital analysis of the data found and impounded, which is duly discussed in detail in the show cause notice dated 18.10.2019, the director of the assessee- company Shri Ramesh Ganna could not adduce proper explanation at the time of survey in respect of anomalies as pointed out relating to difference in the date of bills vis a vis system date as per computer data of those cash bills. The assessee did not file any explanation on the matter even in the post survey proceedings before DDIT(Inv)-1, Surat. Following the law of natural justice, the assessee was once again given an opportunity by assessing officer to forward its explanation in the matter, vide notice u/s 142(1) dated 18.10.2019. The assessing officer observed that despite sufficient time allowed to the assessee, the abnormally high sales in & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. cash during demonetization could not be properly explained by the assessee. In fact due to this intrinsic weakness relating to supporting evidences, the assessee itself chose to disclose a sum of Rs.5.0 Crores under PMGKY 2016 scheme. This in itself is an admission that the cash deposits in bank account during demonetization were not properly explained and not emanating from alleged cash sales. The cash so deposited (allegedly from such cash sales) in bank account is therefore not explained satisfactorily, which is liable to be treated as unexplained cash credit in bank book/Bank statement and may be taxed as income of the year. The contention of the assessee in respect of recovery from debtors and genuine cash sales, is not found to be acceptable in the absence of any supporting evidences filed in respect of recovery form debtors. The cash sales as already discussed above were not found to be satisfactory explained. The contention of the assessee, in respect of having opening cash in hand as on 14.10.2016 of Rs.26,47,736/-, was also not accepted by the Assessing Officer. The assessee has not been able to explain at all as to why cash in hand on this particular date of 14.10.2016 was to be considered or to be given credit for. There is no explanation to why not cash in hand to be considered for the day on which cash was deposited viz. 10.11.2016, 13.11.2016, 14.11.2016 and so on. It is pertinent to note that despite specifically calling for, the Cash Book for the year has not been filed for verification. The submission of the assessee in this regard has no logical basis, thus not acceptable. The assessee has further contended that it may be allowed set off of income of Rs.5.0 Crores disclosed by it in PMGKY. The assessee has also brought on record, a copy of disclosure made under PMGKY of Rs.5.0 Crores. The Assessing Officer agreed with the contention of the assessee and therefore the balance of cash so deposited in bank account of Rs.7,12,00,000/- (Rs.12,12,00,000 - Rs.5,00,00,000 PMGKY) was added to the total income of the assessee for the year u/s 68 of the Act as unexplained cash credit in the books of account. The Assessing Officer also stated that this income is taxed as per provisions of section 115BBE of the Act @ 60%.

Aggrieved by the order of Assessing Officer, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the Ld. CIT(A), who has partly deleted the addition made by the & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. Assessing Officer. The ld CIT(A), after considering the factual position of the assessee`s case held that assessee is entitled to gets relief of Rs.6,76,66,909/- (6,23,35,144 +26,29,991+26,47,736). The Ld CIT(A) also directed the assessing officer to tax the balance amount of Rs.35,33,091/- (7,12,00,000- Rs.6,76,66,909) u/s 68 of the Act. The ld CIT(A) was of the view that balance amount of Rs.35,33,091/- is not generated not from actual sale of jewellery or bullion, therefore, ld CIT(A) directed the assessing officer to tax the amount of Rs.35,33,091/- as per the provisions of section 115BBE of the Act.

Aggrieved by the order of Ld. CIT(A), the Revenue is in appeal before us.

Learned DR for the Revenue argued that during the demonetization period, the assessee was found to have deposited cash aggregating to Rs.12,12,00,000/- in the bank with Oriental Bank of Commerce A/c No. 01024011000520 on various dates. The assessee claims to have made these cash deposits sourced from the cash sales made prior to demonetization period. In the survey proceedings, it was found that there was huge irregularity and as per the computer records, the bills were prepared not on the date of sales but on much later dates. The assessee was asked to file its submission to explain the discrepancies noted vide notice dated 17.10.2019 and the assessee was also show caused as to why cash deposited of Rs.12.12 Crore should not be treated as unexplained credit. On perusal of submission vide letter dated 24.12.2019 of the assessee, balance of cash so deposited in bank account of Rs.7,12,00,000/- (Rs.12,12,00,000 - Rs.5,00,00,000 Crores PMGKY) after allowing the disclosure made under PMGKY of Rs.5.0 Crores, was added to the total income of the assessee for the year u/s 68 of the I.T. Act as unexplained cash credit in the books of account. Therefore, ld DR contended that addition made by the assessing officer should be upheld.

On the other hand, Ld. Counsel for the assessee defended the order passed by the Ld. CIT(A) and pleaded that the addition was made by the assessing officer merely because there was mismatch in dates of bills and dates of data entry in certain bills. It was further submitted that the assessing officer relied upon the page 47 and 48 of the records impounded during the survey proceeding which is & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. reproduced on page no. 6 and 7 of the assessment order for making the impugned addition. It was also submitted that the assessing officer did not accept the genuine cash sales for entire relevant period merely because the date of sale bills and date of entry in the computer are different on certain sale bills and not all sale bills found. The assessing officer on page no. 14 & 15 of Annexure BF-10 found that the date on voucher was 20.10.2016 & 21.10.2016 and which were entered on computer on 09.11.2016. Similarly, on page no. 47 & 48, it was found that the cash voucher dates were given as 28th to 30th October, 2016 and 8th November, 2016 (one voucher) which were entered on 11th & 13th November, 2016. The assessing officer therefore, assumed that entire cash deposits during the demonetization period, other than the amount disclosed under PMGKY scheme is not on account of genuine sales. assessing officer also did not give credit to the cash on hand while calculating the excess cash over and above the cash as per cash book. It was further pleaded by the ld Counsel that the assessee's business is peculiar in nature, wherein the assessee company sells jewellery / gold bars on counters in shop and most of the sales are in cash. It was further pleaded that this is the position of sales in the case of all the jewelers who sell on counters and the assessee is not an exception. The AR therefore, urged that the receipt and accumulation of cash on hand as per the books of accounts is quite normal and the same ought to be accepted more particularly when books of accounts are not rejected by the assessing officer. The AR submitted that the demonetization started from 12 pm at midnight on 08.11.2016 and it was announced on TV around 9 pm and thereafter there was mad rash to buy gold ornaments /gold bars which went on till 12 pm on 08.11.2016. Further, it was urged that, prior to 08.11.2016, there was Diwali period which is busy season for the jewelers and during the said period they have highest turnover and hence, it was pleaded that there was huge turnover even prior to 08.11.2016.

We have heard the rival contentions, perused the material on record and duly considered facts of the case in the light of the applicable legal position. Though facts have been discussed in detail in the foregoing paragraphs, however in the succinct manner, the relevant facts and background are reiterated in order to & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. appreciate the controversy and the issue for adjudication. According to the assessing officer, during the course of survey at business premises, it was found that there was mismatch of date of bills and date of entry of the said bills in the computer. The assessing officer further held that the Director of the assessee company Mr. Ramesh Ganna could not adduce proper explanation at the time of survey and no explanation was filed in the post survey proceedings and hence entire amount of Rs.7.20 Crore was added to the total income as undisclosed bank deposits u/s 68 of the Act. 26. The ld CIT(A) examined the mismatch of dates of bills and entry of the bills in the computer. As per the assessing officer, the details of sales were found on page no. 1 to 54 of BF-10 which were impounded during the course of survey and the same has been relied upon by the assessing officer. On verification of the said pages, it was noted by ld CIT(A) that there is no difference in the dates of entry and the dates of bill from page no. 1 to 32. There were such few entries of mismatch on following pages. Page No. Difference in dates/bills 33 two bills only 34 six bills only 35 two bills only 37 two bills only 41 two bills only The ld CIT(A) observed that other pages had mismatch (other than pointed above). For instance, page 36, 38, 39, 40 and page 42 to 54 for had mismatch of all entries. Thus, on verification of the entire sales identified by the assessing officer as bogus sales booked by the assessee on the basis of mismatch of dates of bills vis-a-vis the dates of entry in the computer, there is no such mismatch in several entries whose aggregate sales comes to Rs.6,23,35,144/-(Page no. 143 to 150 of the paper book). Out of the remaining turnover Rs.26,29,991/- has a difference of single day which can be considered normal i.e. sale of earlier day is entered next day. This also in my opinion can be considered as genuine turnover. The remaining turnover which comes to Rs. 5,61,80,827/- is the turnover where the mismatch of dates is much more than one day and the same can be considered as non-genuine turnover 17 ITA Nos. 30 & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. i.e. the turnover is shown by the assessee after the demonetization was announced and no actual sales were effected. Following is the table showing the bifurcation of turnover: Bifurcation of turnover Amount No mismatch (Entry of sale on same day) 6,23,35,144 One day difference (Sale of Day 1 entered on Day 2) 26,29,991 Mismatch with difference more than one day 5,61,80,827 (Difference from 2 days to 15 days) Total 12,11,45,962 27. The assessee argued before ld CIT(A) that the mismatch of turnover as per the above table is Rs.5,61,80,827/- and as the assessee had already disclosed for Rs.5 Crores in the PMGKY scheme, at the most the balance amount of Rs.61,80,827/- could be taken as the actual bogus sales. These aspects should have been considered by the assessing officer instead of treating all the cash deposits as unexplained.

Before the ld CIT(A), the assessee also raised the issue about the non- consideration of cash in hand by the assessing officer. The assessee submitted before ld CIT(A) that the cash in hand available as on 14.10.2016 amounting to Rs.26,47,736/- was not given credit to while taxing the amount of deposits in the bank account. The assessee submitted before ld CIT(A) that to explain the deposit of Rs. 12.12 Crore after demonetization in the bank account, the assessee worked backward for about a month and found that after giving credit to the cash deposit of Rs. 12.12 Crore, the opening balance of cash in hand as on 14.10.2016 was Rs.26,47,736/-. Normally it was pleaded that the assessee used to have cash in hand of around Rs. 25 lacs which was evident from the balance sheets of previous 3 years. Therefore, it was submitted that the cash as per the cash book as on 14.10.2016 should be given credit to while calculating the excess cash for taxation. As the currency notes were demonetized, all the cash had to be deposited into the Bank account, which included the normal cash in hand. There is merit in the submission of the assessee that the working of cash in hand which was submitted during assessment proceedings by the assessee should be considered for determining the excess cash to be brought to tax. As assessing officer has not & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. considered the same, therefore, ld CIT(A) directed the assessing officer to consider the cash in hand of Rs.26,47,726/- for calculation of undisclosed cash deposited into the bank account.

The assessee further submitted before the ld CIT(A) that only margin of profit to be taxed on undisclosed turnover and section 68 was wrongly invoked. The assessee, without prejudice to the above and in alternative, argued before ld CIT(A) that if at all addition is called for, there ought to be addition on some margin of profit instead of the entire sales to the extent of cash deposited during the demonetization period. The ld CIT(A) did not accept the plea of the assessee and noted that the cash realized from the alleged sales was deposited in the bank account. It is not a case where turnover outside the books of accounts was detected. The plea of the assessee could have been accepted in the later case and not in the former case as the assessee has deposited the entire cash in the bank account. Therefore, the alternative plea of the assessee was rejected.In view of the above facts, the ld CIT(A) observed that the addition on cash deposit sustained is Rs.61,80,827/- by the cash in hand of Rs.26,47,736/-. The net addition sustained was at Rs.35,33,091/-. The assessee got relief of Rs.6,76,66,909/- (6,23,35,144 + 26,29,991+26,47,736).

Therefore, ld CIT(A) directed the assessing officer to tax the said amount of Rs.35,33,091/- (7,12,00,000- Rs.6,76,66,909) u/s 68 of the Act as same was generated not from actual sale of jewellery or bullion, therefore, ld CIT(A) held the claim of sale as bogus as evidenced from entries in computer. Accordingly, the ld CIT(A) directed the assessing officer to tax the amount of Rs.35,33,091/- as per the provisions of section 115BBE of the Act. We do not find any infirmity in the order of Ld. CIT(A), hence ground no.3 of Revenue is dismissed. 31. Ground No.4 raised by the Revenue, in is reproduced below: “Ground No.4: The CIT(A) erred in directing to tax the investment in undisclosed stock as business income instead to treat the same as undisclosed investment.” & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. 32. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that this is the excess stock found during the course of survey proceeding. Such excess stock relates to business only, therefore it should not be taxed under section 115BBE of the Act, under the head income from other sources. The ld Counsel submitted that an amount of Rs.35,33,091/-, as the addition sustained by ld CIT(A), should be treated unaccounted business sales therefore addition at the rate of 2.5% (which is normal profit of the assessee), may be treated as income of the assessee under the head income from business.

On the other hand, Ld. DR for the Revenue contended that it should be taxed under the head income from other sources.

We have heard both the parties and carefully gone through the submissions put forth on behalf of the assessee along with the documents furnished and the case laws relied upon, and perused the facts of the case including the findings of the ld. CIT(A) and other material brought on record. We note that ld CIT(A) gave relief to the assessee to the tune of Rs.6,76,66,909/- (6,23,35,144 + 26,29,991+26,47,736) and directed the assessing officer to tax the balance amount of Rs.35,33,091/- (7,12,00,000- Rs.6,76,66,909) u/s 68 of the Act read with section 115BBE of the Act. The said balance amount of Rs.35,33,091/- should not be treated differently as compared to Rs.6,76,66,909/-. No doubt amount of Rs.35,33,091/- is an unaccounted business receipt, however it pertains to assessee`s business, therefore it should be taxed at the rate of 2.5% (normal profit rate of assessee). The Ld. CIT(A) also upheld the addition @ 2.5% in assessee’s appeals, in other years. The said excess stock/sale pertains to the assessee`s business. The assessee does not engage in any business except gold and jewellery therefore such excess stock found by survey team was of gold and jewellery, though it is undisclosed, however it is very much related to assessee`s business, hence it should be taxable at the rate of 2.5% under the head business income and not under section 115BBE of the Act.

The source of income was explained and is apparently established and hence section 115BBE of the Act, is not applicable for such business receipts. The 20 & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. provisions of Sections 68 and 69 are not applicable for trading transactions like deposit of cash out of cash sales and excess closing stock. For that reliance can be placed on the judgment of Hon`ble Gujarat High Court in the case of Shilpa Dyeing & Printing Mills Ltd, Tax Appeal No. 290 of 2013, dated 04.04.2013. Therefore, we direct the Assessing Officer to tax the excess stock/sale, if any, under the head business income, (not u/s 115BBE) and amount of Rs.35,33,091/- should be taxed at the rate of 2.5% (normal profit rate of assessee).

Thus, ground no.4 raised by the Revenue is dismissed.

Summarized and Concise ground of appeal

For difference of 53,26,958/- in above chart, the ld Counsel contended that this is the stock, on the date of survey which belongs to the customers who had given for repairing the old ornaments and jewellery. The assessee`s main job is to trade in jewellery and to do repairing work of customers` jewellery, hence the same should be deleted. & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.

On the other hand, the Ld. DR for the Revenue has primarily reiterated the stand taken by the Assessing Officer, which we have already noted in our earlier para and is not being repeated for the sake of brevity.

We have heard both the parties. We note that following previous reassessments were completed after the assessment for the assessment year 2017- 18. The assessment year 2017-18 is the assessment year in which survey was conducted. A.Y. 2013-14 23,37,604 Assessment made on 29.03.2022 A.Y. 2014-15 1,19,52,077 Assessment made on 29.03.2022 A.Y.2015-16 1,44,08,782 Assessment made on 29.03.2022 A.Y. 2016-17 1,26,93,645 Assessment made on 29.03.2022 In assessment year 2017-18, when the survey was conducted, then assessing officer reopened the previous assessment years namely, assessment years viz: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 and re-estimated the profit on turnover at the rate of 5%. On appeal, ld CIT(A) reduced profit to 2.5%. We note that assessee has declared cash sales/PMGKY Scheme (sales bill reversed-So Stock increased) at Rs. 5,00,00,000/-, hence the assessee is entitled for telescoping of these previous assessment years which were completed after assessment year 2017-18. Therefore, we direct the assessing officer to grant the telescoping of these previous assessment years viz: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Therefore, Ground No.2 raised by the assessee in AY.2017-18 is allowed.

We note that for difference of 53,26,958/- in above chart, is on account of repairing the old ornaments and jewellery, which normally came to the assessee from customers for routine repairing in guarantee period. Since the assessee has offered Rs.10,00,00,000/- suo-moto and paid the taxes. Considering the huge turnover of jewellery, repairing work cannot be ruled out. While selling the jewellery, the assessee provided the guarantee to the customers for manufacturing defects. Therefore the difference of 53,26,958/- is on account of jewellery came & 51/SRT/2022 & 303-306 & 312/SRT/2022 M/s. Dagina Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. to the assessee from their customers for repairing, hence such difference is hereby deleted.

The assessee`s main job is to trade in jewellery and to do repairing work of customers` jewellery, hence the difference of Rs.53,26,958/- is hereby deleted.

Since we have granted the telescoping of these previous assessment years viz: 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 therefore, assessee`s following additions are (appeal-wise) deleted: A.Y. 2013-14 23,37,604 A.Y. 2014-15 1,19,52,077 A.Y.2015-16 1,44,08,782 A.Y. 2016-17 1,26,93,645 50. Therefore, following summarized and Concise grounds for assessment years 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, are allowed. “Summarized and Concise ground of assessee’s appeals in (i) AY.2013-14, (ii) for AY.2014-15, (iii) ITA No. 305/SRT/2022 for AY.2015-16 and (iv) ITA No.306/SRT/2022 for AY.2016- 17, are as follows: (1) CIT(A) erred in not giving telescopic effect of profit earned on trading against income disclosed under PMGKY Scheme for Rs.5 crores or against excess stock found in the survey proceedings in A.Y.2017-18, as discussed in para 7.1 of the CIT(A) order. (2) CIT(A) erred in estimating profit at 2.5% on undisclosed turnover as discussed in para 6 of the CIT(A) order.” 51. In the combined result, appeal filed by the assessee in in (i) ITA No.303/SRT/2022 for AY.2013-14, (ii) ITA No.304/SRT/2022 for AY.2014-15, (iii) ITA No. 305/SRT/2022 for AY.2015-16 and (iv) ITA No.306/SRT/2022 for AY.2016-17, are allowed

Summarized and Concise ground of appeal

Aggrieved by the said additions, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before ld CIT(A) and has raised 3 grounds of appeal for each of A.Y 2014-15 to A.Y 2016-17 before ld CIT(A).

However, the assessing officer did not accept any of the two contentions of the assessee and proceeded to estimate 5% profit on the entire suppressed turnover which was inclusive of bullion turnover. 61. During the appellate proceedings, the assessee has made following submission for A.Y 2014-15. The ground of appeal

In the combined result, appeals filed by the Assessee in (i) AY.2013-14, (ii) for AY.2014-15, (iii) ITA No. 305/SRT/2022 for AY.2015-16 and (iv) ITA No.306/SRT/2022 for AY.2016-17 and (v) ITA No.30/SRT/2022 for A.Y. 2017-18 are allowed, whereas appeal filed by the Revenue in ITA No.312/SRT/2022 for A.Y. 2015-16 and ITA No.51/SRT/2022 for A.Y. 2017-18 are dismissed.