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Facts
The assessee filed an appeal against the order of the CIT(A) for AY 2015-16, with a delay of 107 days. The assessee attributed the delay to family disputes and stress, while the revenue argued for dismissal due to lack of sufficient cause.
Held
The Tribunal condoned the delay in filing the appeal, citing the Supreme Court's liberal approach to condonation of delays with sufficient cause. The Tribunal found that both the AO and CIT(A) orders were ex-parte, and restored the issue to the AO for de-novo assessment, providing an opportunity to the assessee.
Key Issues
Whether the delay in filing the appeal should be condoned, and whether the ex-parte assessment and appellate orders should be set aside and restored for de-novo assessment.
Sections Cited
144, 147, 143(3)
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Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI
ORDER PER YOGESH KUMAR, U.S. JM: The present appeal is filed by the Assessee against the order of Ld.
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals/ National Faceless Appeal Centre (‘Ld. CIT(A)/NFAC’ for short), New Delhi dated 01/10/2024 for the Assessment Year 2015-16.
There is a delay of 107 days in filing the present Appeal. The Assessee filed an application for condonation of delay contending that the Assessee was having certain family disputes and the Assessee was not living with the family members, therefore, due to the stress the Assessee could not concentrate in filing the appeal before the Tribunal as it took substantial time to procure relevant documents and filing the filing the present Appeal.
Per contra, the Ld. Department's Representative submitted that, there is no sufficient cause to condone the inordinate delay, thus sought for dismissal of the present Appeal on delay in latches.
We have heard both the parties and perused the material available on record on the issue of delay in filing the present Appeal. the Assessee was having certain family disputes and the Assessee was not living with the family members, therefore, due to the stress the Assessee could not concentrate in filing the appeal before the Tribunal as it took substantial time to procure relevant documents and filing the Appeal before the Tribunal.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court time and again clarified that the delay in filing the Appeal with sufficient cause should be looked into in a liberal way and shall condone the delay. In the landmark decision in Collector, Land & Acquisition vs. Mst. Katiji& Others (1987) 167 ITR 471 (SC), the Hon'ble Supreme Court settled the law that the delay when supported by justifiable reasons, must make way for the cause of substantial justice. Considering the above facts and circumstances, we condone the delay of 107 days in filing the present Appeal. r.w. Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('Act' for short) by making addition of Rs. 5,39,57,813/- treating the same as undisclosed Long Term Capital Gain. The Assessee preferred an Appeal before the Ld. CIT(A) which has been dismissed on 01/10/2024 vide order impugned.
As against the order of the Ld. CIT(A) dated 01/10/2024, the Assessee preferred the present Appeal.
The Ld. Counsel for the Assessee submitted that both the order of the A.O. as well as Ld. CIT(A) are ex-parte and the Ld. CIT(A) has not decided on the grounds of the Appeal of the Assessee and the order impugned came to be passed in violation of principals of natural justice.
Thus, sought for allowing the Appeal.
Per contra, the Ld. Department's Representative submitted that the Assessee is a chronic defaulter who has not appeared before the Lower Authorities, therefore, both the A.O. as well as the Ld. CIT(A) have passed the respective orders in accordance with law which requires no interference, thus by relying on the orders of the Lower Authorities sought for dismissal of the Appeal.
We have heard both the parties and perused the material available on record. Both the order of the A.O. as well as order of the Ld. CIT(A) are proceedings. Even the Ld. CIT(A) has not decided all the grounds of Appeal on its merits. In view of the above, in the interest of justice, we deem it fit to restore the issue to the file of the A.O. for de-novo assessment. Needless to say, the A.O. shall provide opportunity of being heard to the Assessee before passing the assessment order in accordance with law. The Assessee is also directed to participate in assessment proceedings without fail.
10. In the result, the Appeal of the Appellant is partly allowed for statistical purpose.
Order pronounced in the open court on 26th September, 2025