SHRI MOHAMMAD MAQBOOL SOFI,BUDGAM vs. INCOME TAX OFFICER WARD-2, SRINAGAR

This appeal has been filed by the assessee against the order of the Ld. CIT(A) National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), Delhi dated 09.01.2023 in respect of Assessment Year 2017-18 where the assessee has taken the following grounds of appeal:

Mohammad Maqbool Sofi v. ITO “1. The Assessment order is bad in law, as assessee has not been granted sufficient opportunity.

3. The CIT (A) erred in both facts & laws, by making addition o! Rs. 1,94,780.00 u/s 44AD, by treating an amount of Rs 24,34,670.00, as sales from business, when no bank credits made during the year pertains to the business.

2. At the outset, the ld. counsel for the assessee has stated that the assessment order was bad in law as the assessee has not been granted sufficient opportunity of being heard and the impugned order of the ld. CIT(A) has been passed, confirming the addition of Rs.10,78,000/-u/s 69A of the Act, in arbitrary manner. He pleaded that the assessee may be granted an adequate opportunity of being heard to represent its case before the ld. CIT(A) to decide the appeal on merits after considering its documentary evidences.

Mohammad Maqbool Sofi v. ITO 4. Heard rival contentions, perused the material on record, impugned order and written submission by the appellant. The Ld. CIT(A) observed that the appellant never came forward with his explanation to the grounds mentioned by the appellant despite being offered ample of opportunities through hearing notices issued by his office. The onus lies on the appellant to prove his case before seeking relief in the appellate proceedings. On this front, appellant has failed miserably. In these circumstances, it is deemed fit not to interfere with the assessment u/s 144 made by the AO.

Accordingly, the addition of Rs 10,78,000/- made by the AO is upheld.

5. Thus, admittedly, the revenue authorities passed orders ex parte qua the assesse. The Ld. AR argued that the worthy CIT(A) decided the case exparte without granting opportunity of the hearing and appreciating merits of the case. The Ld. CIT(A) has merely mentioned that during appellate proceedings the appellant has not come forward with explanation. The ld. CIT(A) dismissed the ground without disproving the claims of the appellant with corroborative evidences and confirmed additions made to the retuned income of the appellant assessee in arbitrarily manner in violation of principles of natural justice.

Mohammad Maqbool Sofi v. ITO 6. Considering the peculiar facts of the case, we consider it deem fit to restore back the matter to the file of the AO to pass assessment Order de novo in order to adjudicate the matter of source of disputed cash deposit and business income after considering the written submission and evidences the assesse as may be filed before him during the fresh assessment proceedings after granting sufficient opportunity of being heard to the assesse.

Order pronounced in the open court on 29.05.2023