GANPAT SAHU,RAIPUR vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER-4(5) , RAIPUR

The present appeal filed by the assessee is directed against the order passed by the CIT(Appeals)-II, Raipur dated 23.01.2020, which in turn arises from the order passed by the A.O. u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 147 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (for short ‘Act’), dated 26.12.2016 for A.Y. 2013-14. The assessee has assailed the impugned order on the following grounds of appeal before us:

On the basis of information gathered by the A.O, viz. (i) that the assessee had sold 0.863 hectare land situated at Village: Sejbahar, Khasara No.5/2 & 10/1, P.H. NO.119/50, Raipur-1 for Rs.69.04 lacs on 26.07.2012; and (ii) that the assessee had made cash deposits aggregating to Rs.35.11 lacs in his bank account, but had not filed his return of income either for the year under consideration or that for the preceding years, the A.O initiated proceedings u/s.147 of the Act. Notice u/s.148 of the Act dated 29.03.2016 was issued to the assessee. In compliance, the assessee e-filed his return of income on 04.05.2016 declaring an income of Rs.73,630/-.

During the course of assessment proceedings, it was observed by the A.O that the assessee, an agriculturist, had vide a registered sale deed dated 25.07.2012 sold 0.863 hectare of agricultural land situated at Village: Sejbahar, Khasra No.5/2 & 10/1, P.H. NO.119/50, Raipur-1 for a consideration of Rs.69.04 lacs to M/s. R.L. Developers, Naya Raipur. On a perusal of the records, it was gathered by the A.O that the aforesaid piece of land was purchased by the assessee in two tranches, viz. (i) F.Y. 2006- 07 : Rs.3,32,063/-; and (ii) F.Y.1993-94 : Rs.43,335/-. It was further observed by the A.O that as the agricultural land sold by the assessee

On being called up to put forth an explanation as to why the gain on the transfer of the aforesaid agricultural land may not be brought to tax, it was claim of the assessee that as he had purchased new agricultural lands for a consideration of Rs.62.46 lacs (approx.) [out of the aforesaid sale consideration of Rs.69.04 lacs], therefore, he was entitled for deduction u/s.54B of the Act as regards the said fresh investments, as under:

Aggrieved the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(Appeals) but without any success.

The assessee being aggrieved with the order of the CIT(Appeals) has carried the matter in appeal before us.

As the Ld. Departmental Representative (“DR” for short) despite having been intimated about the hearing of the appeal had neither put up an appearance nor sought for any adjournment, therefore, we are constrained to dispose off the appeal as per Rule 25 of the Appellate Tribunal Rules, 1963, i.e. after hearing the Ld. AR and perusing the orders of the lower authorities.

We have heard the ld. AR and perused the orders of the lower authorities as well as considered the material available on record.

Shri R.B Doshi, Ld. Authorized Representative (for short “AR”) for the assessee at the very outset assailed the validity of the jurisdiction that was assumed by the A.O for framing the assessment vide his order passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s.147 of the Act dated 26.12.2016. Elaborating on his aforesaid contention, it was submitted by the Ld. AR that as the A.O had framed the impugned assessment without issuing a notice u/s.143(2) of the Act, therefore, the same was liable to be struck down on the said count itself for want of valid assumption of jurisdiction on his part. Our attention was drawn by the Ld. AR to the assessment order. It was submitted by the Ld. AR that the A.O had no where in the assessment order referred to issuance of a notice u/s.143(2) of the Act. Taking us through the observations of the A.O, it was submitted by the Ld. AR that the A.O after issuing notice u/s.148 of the Act dated 29.03.2016 had, thereafter, proceeded with the assessment on the basis of a notice u/s.142(1) of the Act dated 11.05.2016 and framed the assessment vide his order passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 147 of the Act dated 26.12.2016.

As the Ld. AR had assailed the validity of the jurisdiction assumed by the A.O for framing of the assessment vide his order passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 147 of the Act dated 26.12.2016, therefore, the Ld. Departmental Representative (for short ‘DR’) was directed to verify the assessee’s claim that no notice u/s.143(2) of the Act was issued by the A.O prior to framing of the assessment. The Ld. DR in the course of hearing before us, i.e. on 8 Ganpat Sahu Vs. ITO-4(5), Raipur 07.06.2013 had placed on record a letter dated 19.04.2023 of the ITO-4(1), Raipur, wherein it was, inter alia, stated by the A.O that after issuance of notice u/s.148 of the Act dated 29.03.2016 other statutory notices were issued from time to time. At this stage, we may herein observe that the aforesaid report of the A.O is absolutely vague and is not specific on the aspect, i.e. as to whether or not any notice u/s.143(2) of the Act was issued by the A.O prior to framing of the assessment vide his order passed u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 147 of the Act dated 26.12.2016.

During the course of hearing of the appeal, the Ld. AR had submitted that though the assessee had assailed the validity of the jurisdiction that was assumed by the A.O for framing of the impugned assessment de-hors issuance of a notice u/s.143(2) of the Act before the CIT(Appeals), but the latter had failed to deal with the said aspect. Our attention was drawn by the Ld. AR to a letter dated 26.12.2019 that was filed by the assessee in the course of the proceedings before the CIT(Appeals), wherein it was categorically stated by the assessee that no notice u/s.143(2) of the Act was ever issued by the A.O for the year under consideration. It was averred by the Ld. AR that now when the assessee vide the ground of appeal No.1 r.w. his written submissions that were filed with the CIT(A), had specifically assailed the validity of the jurisdiction that was assumed by the A.O for framing of the impugned assessment, therefore, the latter had grossly erred in law and the facts of the case in 9 Ganpat Sahu Vs. ITO-4(5), Raipur not adverting to and adjudicating the same. It was submitted by the Ld. AR that as the impugned assessment had been framed by the A.O de-hors issuance of a notice u/s.143(2) of the Act, therefore, the same could not be sustained and was liable to be struck down.

As stated by the Ld. AR, and, rightly so, as held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the cases of ACIT & Anr. Vs. Hotel Blue Moon [2010] 321 ITR 362 (SC) and CIT v. Laxman Das Khandelwal (2019) 417 ITR 325(SC), issuance of notice u/s.143(2) of the Act forms the very foundation for framing of a valid assessment u/s.143(3) of the Act. Although, we are principally in agreement with the aforesaid contention of the Ld. AR, but at the same time cannot remain oblivion of the fact that adjudication of his claim would require verification of the correct factual position, i.e. as to whether or not any notice u/s.143(2) of the Act was issued by the A.O prior to framing of the assessment. Considering the fact that the veracity of the aforesaid claim of the assessee, i.e. framing of the assessment de- hors issuance of a notice u/s.143(2) of the Act is required to be verified and cannot be summarily accepted on the very face of it; coupled with the 10 Ganpat Sahu Vs. ITO-4(5), Raipur fact that though the assessee had vide his submission dated 26.12.2019 specifically assailed the jurisdiction assumed by the A.O for framing the impugned assessment without issuing any notice u/s.143(2) of the Act before the CIT(Appeals), which, however, was not adjudicated by him, we are of the considered view that the matter in all fairness requires to be restored to the file of the CIT(Appeals) who shall re-adjudicate the same. In case the contention of the Ld. AR that the A.O had framed the assessment u/s.143(3) r.w.s. 147 of the Act dated 26.12.2016 without issuing of notice u/s.143(2) of the Act, is found to be in order, then the assessment order therein passed shall stand quashed. Needless to say, the CIT(Appeals) in the course of the set-aside proceedings shall afford a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the assessee. Thus, the Ground of appeal No. 3 a/w. additional ground of appeal is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations.

In the result, appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes in terms of our aforesaid observations. Order pronounced in open court on 09th day of June, 2023.