“Section 78(6)”
The decision most relied on for Section 78(6) is CIT v. Orissa Corporation Pvt. Ltd. (159 ITR 78), cited in 897 judgments on BharatTax.
Leading authorities on Section 78(6)
When an assessee provides the identity and address of a creditor or investor for a cash credit or share capital under Section 68, the burden shifts to the Department to establish lack of genuineness or creditworthiness, requiring it to conduct further inquiries; mere non-compliance by third parties to summons cannot be the sole basis for an adverse inference against the assessee.
Even if statutory language appears merely enabling, courts infer a duty to exercise such power when it aids a citizen's right. Public authorities cannot decline to act when circumstances warrant help, nor can they act to a person's detriment without justification.
Addition of unexplained cash credits under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, cannot be sustained if the assessee has provided sufficient evidence, including the identity, capacity, and genuineness of the creditors, and the creditors have affirmed the transaction. Mere deposit of cash in the creditor's account just before the loan is advanced does not automatically establish that the assessee made the deposit.