VIDHU GUPTA,NOIDA vs. DCIT, CENTRAL CIRCLE-8, DELHI

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ITA 1459/DEL/2025Status: DisposedITAT Delhi10 September 2025AY 2020-215 pages
AI SummaryPartly Allowed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal noted that it is an admitted fact that despite opportunities granted by the CIT(A), the assessee did not file submissions, leading to the dismissal of the appeal in non-compliance by the CIT(A). The Tribunal observed that the assessee failed to file submissions and did not appear before the CIT(A) after filing the appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal in non-compliance. Therefore, considering the totality of facts and circumstances and in the interest of justice, the Tribunal deemed it proper to restore the issue to the file of the CIT(A). The CIT(A) was directed to grant one final opportunity to the assessee to substantiate its claim and decide the issue as per facts and law. The assessee was also directed to appear before the CIT(A) and cooperate in the proceedings. The grounds raised by the assessee were accordingly allowed for statistical purposes. The appeal of the assessee was allowed for statistical purposes.

What were the facts?

The assessee, Vidhu Gupta, filed its return of income for Assessment Year 2020-21. A search and seizure operation was conducted on related entities and individuals, and seized material was found to pertain to the assessee. The Assessing Officer (AO) issued notices and a show cause notice to the assessee. After considering the assessee's reply, the AO completed the assessment, making an addition of Rs. 3,00,00,000/-. The assessee appealed to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)], who dismissed the appeal. The assessee then filed an appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the CIT(A)'s order.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the assessment order making an addition of Rs. 3,00,00,000/- under section 69 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, is bad in law and on facts? 2. Whether the orders passed by the authorities below are based on unfounded assumptions, projections, surmises, and conjectures? 3. Whether the orders passed by the authorities below are in disregard of the principles of natural justice, specifically depriving the assessee of the opportunity to cross-examine persons whose statements were used by the AO? 4. Whether the orders passed by the authorities below were mechanical, without application of mind, and premised on extraneous material not pertaining to the assessee? 5. Whether the AO erroneously and invalidly assumed jurisdiction under section 153C of the Act? 6. Whether the assessment framed under section 153C read with section 143(3) is barred by limitation? 7. Whether the impugned order was passed ex-parte? Assessee's contentions: The assessee argued that the CIT(A) passed ex-parte orders and that an opportunity of being heard should be provided. The assessee also raised grounds related to the addition under section 69, lack of application of mind, assumption of jurisdiction under section 153C, limitation, and principles of natural justice. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the departmental authorities passed reasoned orders and that the assessee did not participate in the proceedings before the CIT(A).

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 139(1),Section 143(1),Section 143(3),Section 153,Section 153C,Section 69,Section 132

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, DELHI BENCH “C”, DELHI

Before: SH. SUDHIR KUMAR & SH. MANISH AGARWAL

For Appellant: Ms. Tanya, Advocate
Hearing: 21/08/2025Pronounced: 10/09/2025

Date of hearing: 21/08/2025 Date of Pronouncement: 10/09/2025 ORDER PER SUDHIR KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:

This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order of the Commissioner Of Income Tax- Appeals -25 Delhi [hereinafter referred to as “Ld. CIT(A))”] vide order dated 13-01- 2025 pertaining to A.Y. 2020-21 arising out the assessment order dated 31.12.2022 u/s.153 r.w.s. 143(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, (in short ‘the Act’).

2.

The assessee has raised the following grounds in appeal as under:

1. The assessment of the Ld. AO making an addition of Rs. 3,00,00,000/- under section 69 of the Act is bad in law and on the facts and circumstances of the case.

2. The order passed by the authorities below are based merely on unfounded assumptions / projection, surmises, and conjectures.

3. The order passed by the authorities below are in utter disregard of the principles of natural justice. Further, the assessee was deprived of the opportunity to cross examine the persons whose statements were used by Ld. Assessing Officer.

4. The order by the authorities below have passed mechanically, without application of mind, and are premised upon extraneous material found by the Ld. Assessing Officer which does not pertain to the Appellant. 5 .Ld. AO has erroneously and invalidly assumed the jurisdiction under section 153C. The impugned order is liable to be quashed on this ground alone.

6. The assessment framed under section 153C r.w.s. 143(3) is barred by limitation.

7. The impugned order is liable to be set aside for it having been passed ex-parte.

8. The above mentioned grounds are independent and without prejudice to one another.

9. The assessee craves leave to add, amend alter, or withdraw all or any of the grounds of appeal either before or at the time of the hearing of the appeal.

3. The brief facts of the case are that the assessee filed its return of income u/s 139(1) of the Act for A.Y. 2020-21 on 16-12-2020 declaring income of Rs. 11,67,920/-. The same was processed u/s 143(1) of the Act. A search & seizure operation action u/s 132 of the Act was conducted on 03- 02-2021 and 27-02-2020 on M/s Prizm Holography and Security Films Pvt. Ltd., Navneet Gupta, and Anwar Dhebar, A. Dhebar Biuldcon. During the course of search various documents / material were seized and statement was recorded. The Assessing officer of the searched person recorded his satisfaction establishing that the seized material /documents pertain to Sh. Vidhu Gupta. The relevant material was handed over the AO of Central Circle - 29. Notices were issued to the assessee and show cause notice was also issued to the assessee. The Ld. AO completed the assessment proceeding after considering the reply submitted by the assessee and assessed the income at Rs. 3,11,67,920/-. 4 Aggrieved the order of the ld. AO the assessee preferred the appeal before the Ld.CIT(A) who vide his order dated 13- 01-2025 dismissed the appeal. Being aggrieved the order of the Ld. CIT(A) the assessee is in appeal before the Tribunal. 5. ld. AR of the assessee submitted that the Ld.CIT(A) passed the ex-parte orders. He also submitted that the opportunity of the being heard be provided to the assessee. Learned authorized representative for Department of Revenue submitted that departmental authorities have passed reasoned orders. He also submitted that the assessee has not taken part in the proceedings before the Ld. CIT(A).

6.

We have heard the parties and perused the material available on record. It is an admitted fact that despite opportunities granted by Ld. CIT (A), the assessee did not file his submissions, for which the appeal was dismissed in non-compliance by the Ld. CIT(A).

7.

Since in the instant case the assesse has failed to file his submission after availing the various opportunity. The assessee did not appear before the Ld. CIT(A), after filing the appeal for which the Ld. CIT(A) dismissed the appeal in non-compliance after deciding the grounds raised by assessee. Therefore, considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice, we deem it proper to restore the issue to the file of the Ld. CIT(A) with a direction to grant one final opportunity to the assessee to substantive its claim and decide the issue as per fact and law. The assessee is also directed to appear before the Ld. CIT(A) and co-operate in the proceedings. The grounds raised by the assessee are accordingly allowed for statistical purposes.

8.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes. Order pronounced in the open court 10.09.2025.

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