ITO, WARD-2(2), MIDNAPORE, PASCHIM MEDINIPUR vs. SMT. SUNITA JAIN, PASCHIM MEDINIPUR

This appeal by the Revenue is arising out of order of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-XXXVI, Kolkata in appeal No.245/CIT(A)-XXXVI/Kol /37/Ward-2(2), Mid.08/09 dated 26.11.2010. Assessment was framed by ITO Ward-2(2), Midnapore u/s 144/147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) vide his order dated 31.12.2008 for assessment year 2005-06 Revenue has raised following grounds:- “1, On the facts and in the circumstances of the case the Ld. CIT(A)- XXXVI, Kolkata erred in deciding that the A.O was having no jurisdiction over the appellant at the time of re-opening the assessment and issuing ITO Wd-2(2) Mid. V. Smt. Sunita. Jain Page 2 notice u/s 148 and therefore, reopening of the assessment was void authorities below-initio.

At the time of hearing of this appeal, none appeared on behalf of Revenue. The Ld. DR sought for the bulk adjournment in 19 cases but we rejected the adjournment application in those cases where we find that the hearing can take place without the presence of the DR. So we decided to hear this case and proceeded after Smt. Shreya Loyalka, Ld. Authorized Representative appearing on behalf of assessee.

First ground of Revenue’s appeal is regarding that Ld. CIT(A) has erred in deciding that Assessing Officer was having no jurisdiction over the appellant at the time of re-opening of assessment u/s. 147 of the Act.

Briefly stated facts are that assessee is an individual and has made investment of Rs.29.01 lakh in different mutual funds. During the financial year 2004-05 the AO found that assessee has not filed her return of income for the relevant assessment year i.e. 2005-06 and therefore he formed the belief that income has escaped assessment. So AO has issued a notice u/s. 148 of the Act requiring assessee to file its return of income, however, there was no compliance from the side of assessee in spite of several reminders issued on different dates. After that AO finally framed the income escaped assessment u/s 144 r.w.s 147 of the Act and raised demand accordingly. Aggrieved, assessee preferred appeal before Ld. CIT(A).

We have heard Ld. AR and perused the materials available on record. Ld. AR submitted paper book containing pages 1 to 9 and he relied on the order of Ld. CIT(A).From the aforesaid discussion we find that petitioner has shifts its business and residence from Midnapore to New Delhi and her return of income were duly filed before AO having jurisdiction over the area where business of the petitioner situated. Further, Ld. AR drew our attention that necessary details were submitted at appellate stage and it is clear the specifying that assessee has shifted its business as well as residence from Midnapore to Delhi and PAN of assessee has also been transferred from Ward 2(2) Midnapore to Ward 25(4) New Delhi. We are also relying on the judgment of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of K.K. Loomba v. CIT & Ors Civil Writ Petn. 2983 of 1997 & Civil Misc. No. 5877 of 1998 dated 30-11- 1998, wherein the head-note reproduced as under:- “IT authorities – Jurisdiction of AO-Territorial jurisdiction – Petitioners shifted their business / profession and residence from Amritsar to Delhi – Return could have been filed only before an AO at Delhi and he would have jurisdiction to assess them – Therefore, the AO having jurisdiction over them would also have jurisdiction to issue notices under s. 148, though referable to the period when they were assessed or were ITO Wd-2(2) Mid. V. Smt. Sunita. Jain Page 4 assessable at Amritsar by virtue of s. 124(1) and 124(5) r/ws. 120(1) – No order under s. 127 or s. 124(2) was called for”

Since the jurisdictional issue for reopening of assessment in Revenue’s appeal is dismissed, hence, remaining ground of Revenue’s appeal does not require any adjudication.