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“lack of inquiry”

Rectification & RevisionSection 263Section 2631,087 judgments

The decision most relied on for lack of inquiry is CIT v. Gabriel India Ltd. (203 ITR 108), cited in 990 judgments on BharatTax.

Leading authorities on lack of inquiry

CIT v. Gabriel India Ltd.
203 ITR 108 · 1993 · High Court
990
citing judgments

The Commissioner cannot revise an assessment order under Section 263 merely because they hold a different opinion or believe a deeper inquiry was warranted if the Assessing Officer has applied their mind and conducted some inquiry. Revision under Section 263 is permissible only in cases of a complete lack of inquiry or non-application of mind by the Assessing Officer, not for merely inadequate inquiry.

CIT v. Orissa Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
159 ITR 78 · 1986 · Supreme Court
897
citing judgments

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.

CIT v. Sunbeam Auto Ltd.
332 ITR 167 · 2011 · High Court
897
citing judgments

The Commissioner cannot revise an assessment under Section 263 merely because the assessment order does not explicitly reflect an inquiry, or because the Commissioner holds a different opinion. An inquiry, even if considered inadequate, or an assessment based on a plausible view by the Assessing Officer after due examination, does not automatically make the order erroneous or prejudicial to the interests of the revenue.

Gee Vee Enterprises v. Addl. CIT
99 ITR 375 · 1975 · High Court
543
citing judgments

An assessment order is erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of revenue if the Assessing Officer fails to make proper inquiries before accepting the assessee's statements or claims. The Commissioner can revise such an order under Section 263 without conducting further inquiries himself.

CIT v. Anil Kumar Sharma
335 ITR 83 · 2011 · High Court
264
citing judgments

The Commissioner cannot invoke Section 263 for an assessment merely because of an inadequate inquiry by the Assessing Officer, provided there was some inquiry or the record demonstrates application of mind, as this constitutes a mere difference of opinion.

Narayan Tatu Rane v. ITO
70 Taxmann.com 227 · 2016 · ITAT
220
citing judgments

Before revising an assessment order under Section 263, the CIT/PCIT must conduct their own inquiries or verifications to establish that the Assessing Officer's order is erroneous and unsustainable in law, rather than merely directing further inquiry or pointing out the AO's lack of inquiry.

DIT v. Jyoti Foundation
357 ITR 388 · 2013 · High Court
210
citing judgments

An assessment order cannot be deemed erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of revenue under Section 263 if the Assessing Officer conducted an inquiry and applied their mind during the original assessment, as Explanation 2 to Section 263 does not permit unending inquiries by the revisional authority.

CIT v. Infosys Technologies Ltd.
341 ITR 293 · 2012 · High Court
205
citing judgments

A Commissioner can revise an assessment order under Section 263 if it is erroneous and prejudicial to the interests of the revenue. This includes cases where the Assessing Officer fails to make further inquiries before accepting the assessee's statements in the return.

Judgments citing lack of inquiry

Nadiminty Ganapathy Sastry, Hyderabad vs. DCIT, Circle-14(1), Hyderabad

In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is dismissed

ITA 303/HYD/2021[2013-14]Status: DisposedITAT Hyderabad11 Jul 2023AY 2013-14

Bench: Shri R.K. Panda, Vice- & Shri Laliet Kumarassessment Year: 2013-14 Shri Nadiminty Ganapathy Vs. Dy. C. I. T. Sastry, Circle 14(1) Hyderabad Hyderabad Pan:Aalpg5424F (Appellant) (Respondent) Assessee By: Shri K.A. Sai Prasad, Ca Revenue By: Smt.T.H. Vijayalakshmi,Dr Date Of Hearing: 05/07/2023 Date Of Pronouncement: 11/07/2023 Order Per R.K. Panda, Vice-This Appeal Filed By The Assessee Is Directed Against The Order Dated 31/03/2021 Passed U/S 263 Of The I.T. Act, 1961 By The Learned Pr.Cit-1, Hyderabad Relating To A.Y.2013-14. 2. There Is A Delay Of 50 Days In Filing Of This Appeal By The Assessee For Which The Assessee Has Filed A Condonation Application Explaining The Reasons For Delay Along With An Affidavit. After Considering The Contents Of The Condonation Petition Filed Along With The Affidavit & After Hearing The Learned Dr, The Delay In Filing Of This Appeal By The Assessee Is Condoned & The Appeal Is Admitted For Adjudication.

For Appellant: Shri K.A. Sai Prasad, CAFor Respondent: Smt.T.H. Vijayalakshmi,DR
Section 143(1)Section 143(2)Section 143(3)Section 147Section 148Section 263Section 94(7)

present case. In the case of Infinity Infotech Park Ltd vs. DCIT (Supra), the Tribunal has held that a case of lack of inquiry would by itself render the order being erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue. It has been held that where there is inquiry

Balaji Developers, Hyderabad vs. ACIT, Circle-9(1), Hyderabad

In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is allowed

ITA 281/HYD/2022[2016-17]Status: DisposedITAT Hyderabad21 Jun 2023AY 2016-17

Bench: Shri R.K. Panda, Vice- & Shri Laliet Kumarassessment Year:2016-17 Balaji Developers Vs. Acit Hyderabad Circle 9(1) Hyderabad (Appellant) (Respondent) Pan:Aamfb2401J Assessee By: Shri Ravi Bharadawaj, Ca Revenue By: Dr.K Madhusudan, Cit(Dr) Date Of Hearing: 14/06/2023 Date Of Pronouncement: 21/06/2023 Order Per Laliet Kumar, J.M This Appeal Filed By The Assessee Is Directed Against The Order Dated 25.03.2021 Of The Learned Cit (A)-4, Hyderabad Relating To A.Y.2016-17. 2. Grounds Raised By The Assessee Reads As Under: “Ground No. 1: The Order Of The Hon'Ble Principal Commissioner Of Income Tax - 4, Hyderabad, Is Opposed To Law & Facts Of The Case. Ground No. 2: The Hon'Ble Principal Commissioner Of Income Tax - 4, Hyderabad Erred In Holding That The Assessing Officer Has Not Conducted A Proper Examination Of The Receipts Pertaining To The Sale Of Various Flats, Where The Receipts Are Less Than The Amount Reflected In Form 26As. Ground No. 3: The Hon'Ble Principal Commissioner Of Income Tax - 4, Hyderabad Failed To Appreciate The Reasons For The Alleged Difference Between Income Reported By The Appellant & Amount Reflected In Form 26Aj In Respect Of Various Flats.

For Appellant: Shri Ravi Bharadawaj, CAFor Respondent: Dr.K Madhusudan, CIT(DR)
Section 143(3)Section 263

order of the Assessing Officer being erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of Revenue. There is a difference between inadequate inquiries and lack of inquiry. In the present case sufficient and adequate enquiries were made by the Assessing Officer. Merely because the Assessing Officer had not written a detailed