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“unexplained investment”

Cash Credits & Unexplained ItemsSection 69Section 695,821 judgments

The decision most relied on for unexplained investment is Sumati Dayal v. CIT (214 ITR 801), cited in 1,967 judgments on BharatTax.

Leading authorities on unexplained investment

Sumati Dayal v. CIT
214 ITR 801 · 1995 · Supreme Court
1,967
citing judgments

The Revenue is entitled to look behind the apparent form of a transaction to discover its true nature, applying the test of human probabilities and surrounding circumstances. If transactions defy logic or are unnatural, they can be treated as bogus, even if supported by some documentation, especially in cases of cash credits or unexplained investments.

K.P. Varghese v. ITO
131 ITR 597 · 1981 · Supreme Court
989
citing judgments

An addition to income cannot be made merely on the basis of a difference in valuation of assets or a Valuation Officer's report without establishing actual understatement of consideration or the source of unexplained funds through proper enquiry. The Assessing Officer must conduct proper enquiry and satisfy the conditions for making such additions.

Chuharmal v. CIT
172 ITR 250 · 1988 · Supreme Court
340
citing judgments

The expression 'income' under Section 69A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, has a wide meaning, encompassing anything that comes in or results in gain. Therefore, an assessee's unexplained investments, such as purchasing articles or depositing cash, can legitimately be inferred and deemed as income under this section.

CIT v. Kamdhenu Steel & Alloys Ltd.
361 ITR 220 · 2014 · High Court
328
citing judgments

When making an addition under section 68, the creditworthiness or financial strength of an investor contributing share capital or share application money can be proved by producing their bank statements showing sufficient balance for the investment. The Supreme Court dismissed the SLP against this decision.

CIT v. Dwarkadhish Investment (P) Ltd.
330 ITR 298 · 2011 · High Court
218
citing judgments

An assessee cannot be asked to explain the source of the source for cash credits, particularly share capital or share application money, once they have discharged the initial onus regarding the identity, genuineness of the transaction, and creditworthiness of the immediate investor.

CIT v. Jansampark Advertising & Marketing (P.) Ltd.
56 Taxmann.com 286 · 2015 · High Court
196
citing judgments

The Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) has an independent statutory obligation to conduct proper inquiries and verify facts, especially when the Assessing Officer has failed to do so. The CIT(A) must ensure effective inquiry is carried out before deleting additions or accepting additional evidence.

ITO v. Ch. Atchaiah
218 ITR 239 · 1996 · Supreme Court
149
citing judgments

Under the Income-tax Act, 1961, the Assessing Officer must tax any taxable income in the hands of the correct assessee to whom it truly belongs, having no option to assess it in any other person's hands.

CIT v. Stellar Investment Ltd.
192 ITR 287 · 1991 · High Court
146
citing judgments

Once the identity of the shareholders is established, no addition can be made in the hands of the assessee company under Section 68 for share capital or share application money, as it cannot be treated as undisclosed income.

Judgments citing unexplained investment

Vision Exports, Moradabad vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle, Moradabad

The appeal of the assessee is allowed

ITA 2361/DEL/2023[2017-18]Status: DisposedITAT Delhi13 Jun 2025AY 2017-18

Bench: Shri S. Rifaur Rahman & Shri Anubhav Sharmaassessment Year: 2017-18 Vision Exports, Vs Acit, Faridpur, Sambhal Road, Central Circle, Moradabad – 244 001, Moradabad. Uttar Pradesh. Pan: Aajfv0634Q (Appellant) (Respondent) Assessee By : Shri Chetan Agarwal, Ca; Shri Mohammad Ammar, Ca & Shri Tariq Nafees, Advocate Revenue By : Shri Amit Katoch, Sr. Dr Date Of Hearing : 23.04.2025 Date Of Pronouncement : 13.06.2025 Order Per Anubhav Sharma, Jm: This Appeal Is Preferred By The Assessee Against The Order Dated 23.06.2023 Of The Commissioner Of Income-Tax (Appeals), Lucknow-3 (Hereinafter Referred To As The Ld. First Appellate Authority Or ‘The Ld. Faa’, For Short) In Appeal No.Cit(A), Lucknow-3/10314/2018-19 Arising Out Of The Appeal Before It Against The Order Dated 30.12.2018 Passed U/S 143(3) Of The Income Tax Act, 1961 (Hereinafter Referred To As ‘The Act’) By The Acit, Central Circle, Moradabad (Hereinafter Referred To As The Ld. Ao).

For Appellant: Shri Chetan Agarwal, CAFor Respondent: Shri Amit Katoch, Sr. DR
Section 127Section 132Section 142(1)Section 143(2)Section 143(3)

order, we find that none of the alleged disclosures on account of alleged outside book purchases, construction of building at Veepur Industrial Area or unexplained investments not recorded in the books have been corroborated by the loose papers. The submission of assessee about the loose papers have not been rebutted ... Counsel that no material pertaining to the assessee was found during the search on 15th December, 2016 showing the existence of any unexplained investment which is evident from ‘Panchnama.’ Further, no admission was made in the statement recorded u/s 132(4) and the admission made in the statement recorded

Mrs. Reeta Mahesh Dave, Mumbai vs. Income-Tax Officer, Mumbai

In the result, the appeal filed by the Assessee stands allowed for statistical purposes

ITA 5063/MUM/2024[2012-2013]Status: DisposedITAT Mumbai12 Jun 2025AY 2012-2013

Bench: Shri Narender Kumar Choudhryassessment Year: 2012-13 Mrs. Reeta Mahesh Dave Income-Tax Officer Shop No. 82, 4Th Lane, Ward 23(3)(6), Mangaldas Market, Vs. Piramal Chamber, 400002. Mumbai. Pan: Aahpd2775J (Appellant) (Respondent) Present For: Assessee By : Shri Bhavesh Shah, Ld. A.R. Revenue By : Shri Kavan Limbasiya, Ld. D.R. Date Of Hearing : 12.06.2025 Date Of Pronouncement : 12.06.2025 O R D E R Per : Narender Kumar Choudhry: This Appeal Has Been Preferred By The Assessee Against The Order Dated 30/07/2024, Impugned Herein, Passed By The National Faceless Appeal Center (Nfac)/ Ld. Commissioner Of Income Tax (Appeals) (In Short Ld. Commissioner) U/S 250 Of The Income Tax Act, 1961 (In Short ‘The Act’) For The A.Y. 2012-13. 2. In This Case, The Ao Vide Assessment Order Dated 10.12.2019 U/S. 143(3) R.W.S 147 Has Made The Addition Of Rs. 14,80,000/- On Account Of Unexplained Investment U/S. 69 Of The Act. The Assessee Being Aggrieved Challenged The Said Addition Before The Ld. Commissioner Who By Specifically Holding ‘That During The Appellate Proceeding The Appellant Filed A Confirmation From Riddhi Siddhi Recyclers As Additional Evidence, But Failed To Provide Explanation Against The Contention Of The Ld. Ao That How Any Investor Can Invest In 2 Mrs. Reeta Mahesh Dave Off Market Mode In A Company Who Does Not Have A Sound Financial Standing. The Appellant Also Did Not File The Basic Documents Such As 1. Share Application 2. Number Of Shares Allotted & Photocopy Of The Share Certificate 3. Copy Of Bank Statement With Cheque Number & Bank, On Which The Cheque Was Drawn. In The Absence Of Above Basic Documents, The Genuineness Of So Called Investment Could Not Be Established’ Ultimately Affirmed The Aforesaid Addition.

For Appellant: Shri Bhavesh Shah, Ld. A.RFor Respondent: Shri Kavan Limbasiya, Ld. D.R
Section 143(3)Section 250Section 69

vide assessment order dated 10.12.2019 u/s. 143(3) r.w.s 147 has made the addition of Rs. 14,80,000/- on account of unexplained investment u/s. 69 of the Act. The Assessee being aggrieved challenged the said addition before the Ld. Commissioner who by specifically holding ‘that during the appellate proceeding