Secure Meters Limited, Udaipur V. Pr. CIT, Udaipur

ITA 2/JODH/2021

• Counselvise Citation: [2021] 107 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 6763 (ITAT-JODHPUR)
• Duration Of Justice: 6 month(s) 11 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 07-09-2021
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: DB
• Assessment Year: 2016-2017
• Appeal Filed On: 26-02-2021
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: SANCHITA KUMAR
• Assessee Lawyers: ABHINAV KOTHARI
• Keywords: Capital asset; Revision of order; Depreciation; Transfer pricing; Search and seizure; International transaction; Question of law; Bad and doubtful debts; Assessment record; Set aside
• Section: 263; 143(3); 92; 92E; 115JB; 13; 92CA

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, JODHPUR BENCH, JODHPUR BEFORE SHRI SANDEEP GOSAIN, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI VIKRAM SINGH YADAV, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ITA NO. 02/JODH/2021 ASSESSMENT YEAR:2016-17 SECURE METERS LIMITED, E-CLASS, PRATAP NAGAR INDUSTRIAL AREA, UDAIPUR-313001. VS. PR.CIT, UDAIPUR. PAN NO. AACCS 8785 M ASSESSEE BY SHRI AMIT KOTHARI, CA& SHRI ABHINAV KOTHARI, CA REVENUE BY SMT. SANCHITA KUMAR, CIT-DR DATE OF HEARING 10/08/2021 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT 07/09/2021 O R D E R PER:SANDEEP GOSAIN, J.M. THE PRESENT APPEAL HAS BEEN FILED BY THE ASSESSEE AGAINST THE ORDER OF THE LD. PR.CIT, UDAIPUR DATED 25/02/2021 FOR A.Y. 2016-17 PASSED U/S 263 OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 (IN SHORT, THE ACT) WHEREIN FOLLOWING GROUNDS HAVE BEEN RAISED : 1. THE IMPUGNED ORDER U/S 263 OF THE I T ACT, 1961 PASSED BY THE LD. PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, UDAIPUR IS PATENTLY INVALID, VOID, CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF LAW AND ALSO CONTRARY TO FACTS, MATERIAL EXISTING ON RECORDS. 2. THE LD. PCIT HAS ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 19.12.2018 PASSED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER FOR THE SAID ASSESSMENT YEAR IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE AND ALSO SETTING ASIDE THE 2 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER AND HAS FURTHER ERRED IN RESTORING BACK TO THE AO TO PASS FRESH ASSESSMENT ORDER WITH THE FOLLOWING DIRECTION: (A) TO MAKE REFERENCE TO TPO FOR COMPUTATION OF ALP AFTER APPROVAL OF PCIT AS REQUIRED U/S 92CA IN RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION OF RS. 725.42 CRORES WITH AES AND OBTAIN REPORT FORM HIM, THEREAFTER MODIFY THE ASSESSMENT ORDER BY MAKING SUCH ADDITION. (B) TO EXAMINE THE WRITE OFF OF BAD DEBTS OF RS. 23.99CRORES IN THE BOOKS AGAINST THE PROVISIONS FOR DOUBTFUL DEBTS MADE IN THE EARLIER YEARS, WHICH WAS ADDED BACK IN THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE RESPECTIVE EARLIER YEAR AND DIRECTED TO HIM TO ADD BACK IN THE TOTAL INCOME IF THE AMOUNT IS NOT WRITTEN OFF IN THE YEAR. (C) TO EXAMINE THE NET LOSS OF RS. 6.66 CRORES ON ACCOUNT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY LOAN ON FIXED ASSETS U/S 43A OF THE IT ACT. (D) TO MAKE TO THE TOTAL INCOME AND/ OR TO THE BOOK PROFIT U/S 115JB WHEREVER REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME TAX AS DISCUSSED IN PARA 14 OF THE ORDER U/S 263. 3. THAT THE ORDER PASSED ORIGINALLY BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER UNDER SECTION 143(3) OF THE INCOME TAX WAS NEITHER ERRONEOUS NOR PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE, THEREFORE THE IMPUGNED ORDER PASSED U/S 263 BY THE LD. PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, UDAIPUR IS BAD IN LAW AND CLEARLY BEYOND THE AMBIT OF SECTION 263 OF THE IT ACT AND LIABLE TO BE QUASHED. 4. THE APPELLANT CRAVE LEAVE TO ADD, ALTER, AMEND AND MODIFY ANY GROUNDS OF APPEAL ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF HEARING. 2. THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE YEAR 2016-17 WAS COMPLETED U/S 143(3) OF THE ACTVIDE ORDER DATED 19.12.2018. THE PCIT VIDE HIS NOTICE DATED 17.11.2020 & 7.12.2020 OBSERVED BY INVOKING THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 263 OF THE ACT THAT THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AS WELL AS PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE ON THE GROUND THAT THERE WERE LARGE OUTWARD REMITTANCE TO A NON RESIDENT NOT BEING A COMPANY OR TO A FOREIGN COMPANY FOR WHICH FORM 15CA WAS ISSUED, BAD DEBTS 3 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT WRITTEN OFF WERE NOT PROPERLY EXAMINED, GROSS INCOME IS LESS THAN FOREIGN REMITTANCES MADE AND VARIOUS ISSUES RAISED IN AO NOTICE DATED 11.9.2018 WHICH NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY EXAMINED. AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 5.3.2021, U/S 263 OF THE ACT, THE ASSESSEE IS IN APPEAL. 3. THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT THE IMPUGNED NOTICES OF PCIT ARE NOT MAINTAINABLE SINCE THE MANDATORY STATUTORY REQUIREMENT PROVIDED IN THE ACT FOR A VALID ASSUMPTION OF JURISDICTION U/S 263 REMAINS UNFULFILLED AND UNSATISFIED. IT IS FURTHER STATED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 263 CAN BE VALIDLY INVOKED ONLY IF THE TWIN CONDITIONS THAT THE ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AND THAT IT IS PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE ONLY THAN SUCH ACTION COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND RELIED UPON THE DECISION OF HONBLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF MALABAR INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD. 243ITR 83 (SC). AS PER THE PRINCIPLES LAID DOWN IN THE CASE OF MALABAR INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD BOTH THE CONDITIONS MUST CO EXIST AND EVEN IF ONE OF THE CONDITIONS IS ABSENT RECOURSE CANNOT BE HAD TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 263. 4. THE ASSESSEE PLEADED THAT IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAW DECLARED BY THE HONBLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF MALABAR NONE OF THE GROUNDS STATED IN THE IMPUGNED NOTICES CONSTITUTE A VALID GROUND OR BASIS FOR THE LAWFUL ASSUMPTION OF JURISDICTION U/S 263 OF THE ACT. A PERUSAL OF THE IMPUGNED NOTICE ISSUED REVEALS THAT THE PROVISIONS U/S 263 OF THE ACT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO BE INVOKED ON THE GROUND THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS NOT MADE PROPER INQUIRIES DURING THE 4 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS WITHOUT BRINGING ON RECORD ANY FINDING OR POINTING OUT ANY MATERIAL AS TO HOW THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AND HAS CAUSED LOSS TO THE REVENUE. 5. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER PLEADED THAT A BARE STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT THE AO HAS NOT DONE PROPER INQUIRIES PER SE DOESNT CONSTITUTE A VALID BASIS FOR ASSUMING JURISDICTION U/S 263 OF THE ACT. IT IS A SETTLED LAW THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 263 CANNOT BE INVOKED ON MERE PRESUMPTIONS OR SUSPICION THAT AN INQUIRY MIGHT HAVE UNEARTHED ANY ESCAPED TAXABLE INCOME AS HELD BY THE HONBLE DELHI HIGH COURT IN ITS JUDGMENT IN THE CASE OF CIT VS. LEISURE WEAR EXPORTS LTD. (2010) 46 DTR (DEL) 97WHEREIN THE HONBLE COURT WHILE RELYING UPON THE PRINCIPLE LAID DOWN BY THE HONBLE APEX COURT IN THE CASE OF MALABAR INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD 243 ITR 83 (SC) HAS HELD THAT IN THE ENTIRE ORDER EMPHASIS LAID BY THE CIT IS THAT IN RESPECT OF FOUR ISSUES MENTIONED BY HIM, NO QUERIES WERE RAISED BY THE AO. ON THIS PREMISE, THOUGH IT IS OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS NO APPLICATION OF MIND ON THE PART OF THE AO AND THE AO HAS NOT RECORDED ANY REASONS TO JUSTIFY THE OMISSION TO CONSIDER THE SAID FACTS, THE CIT DOES NOT TAKE THE SAID ORDER TO ITS LOGICAL CONCLUSION WHICH WAS THE PRIME DUTY OF THE CIT IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY EXERCISE OF POWER UNDER S.263. THERE IS NOT EVEN A WHISPER THATTHE ORDER IS ERRONEOUS. EVEN IF IT IS INFERRED THAT NON-CONSIDERATION OF THE ISSUES POINTED OUT BY THE CIT 5 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT WOULD AMOUNT TO AN ERRONEOUS ORDER, IT IS NOT STATED AS TO HOW THIS ORDER IS PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF THE REVENUE. 6. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER PLEADED THAT THE FACTS OF THE SAID JUDGMENT OF THE HONBLE HIGH COURT ARE IDENTICAL TO FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRESENT CASE IN AS MUCH AS IN THE SAID CASE ALSO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 263 OF THE ACT WERE INVOKED ON THE GROUND THAT THE AO HAD NOT RAISED QUERIES IN RELATION TO CERTAIN ISSUES WHICH IS PRECISELY THE CASE IN HAND WHEREIN IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO INVOKE THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 263 ON THE SOLITARY GROUND THAT THE AO HAS NOT RAISED ANY QUERIES REGARDING THE ISSUES STATED IN THE IMPUGNED NOTICE. THUS, THE SAID JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED BY THE HONBLE DELHI HIGH COURT IS SQUARELY APPLICABLE TO THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRESENT CASE THEREBY RENDERING THE IMPUGNED SHOW CAUSE NOTICE AS UNWARRANTED AND WITHOUT JURISDICTION AND THE SAME IS ACCORDINGLY PRAYED TO BE REVOKED AND NULLIFIED AT THIS STAGE ITSELF IN THE INTEREST OF SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE. 7. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER RELIED ON THE CASE CIT V. SUNIL SANKHLA (2019) 411 ITR 437 (RAJ.)(HC), THE HONBLE JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COURT WHERE IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THECOMMISSIONER PASSED THE REVISION ORDER ON THE GROUND THAT THE AO HAS PASSED THE ORDER WITHOUT VERIFICATION. TRIBUNAL HELD THAT THE AO HAS PASSED THE ORDER AFTER EXAMINING THE DETAILS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAD ACCEPTED THE BUSINESS PROFIT DECLARED BY THE ASSESSEE AND HAD ADOPTED A VIEW THAT THE ORDER 6 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT PASSED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER WAS NOT PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE REVENUE AND THAT THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER WAS NOT JUSTIFIED TO REPLACE THE ASSESSING OFFICERS VIEW. HIGH COURT UP HELD THE ORDER OF THE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL. THE ASSESSEE CONTENDED THAT IN THE PRESENT CASE ALSO THE ORDER WAS MADE AFTER DUE VERIFICATION OF THE DETAILS SUBMITTED. 8. THE ASSESSEE ALSO RELIED ON THE FOLLOWING CASES WITH REGARD TO THE VERY JURISDICTION INVOKED UNDER SECTION 263 AND SUBMITS THAT IN ABSENCE OF THE TWIN CONDITIONS BEING SATISFIED, THE REVISION WAS NOT JUSTIFIED. A. C I T-1 JAIPUR VS M/S GREEN TRIVENI DEVELOPER ON 24 OCTOBER, 2017(RAJASTHAN) D.B. INCOME TAX APPEAL NO. 114 / 2015. B. CIT V. MAX INDIA LTD . (2007) 295 ITR 282 (SC) C. CIT V. RAJIV ARORA (DBITA 283/2010 DATED 28.08.2017 (RAJASTHAN) D. CIT V. DEEPAK REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS (INDIA) PVT. LTD. (DBITA 581/2011 DATED 03.03.2014 RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT) E. CIT V. RELIANCE COMMUNICATION LTD . (2016) 76 TAXMANN.COM 226 (SC), F. CIT VS. MAHAVIR SPINNING MILLS LTD. (2008) 303 ITR 353 G. CIT VS. PANKAJ DHIRAJLAL DHRUVE (2008) 305 ITR 332 H. CIT VS. NAHAR EXPORTS LTD. (2008) 173 TAXMAN 3 I. VIRENDRA KUMAR JHAMB VS. CIT (2009) 222 CTR (BOM) 88 J. CIT V/S. GIRDHARILAL (2002) 258 ITR 331 (RAJ) (DB) K. CIT V/S. ARVINDJEWLLERS (2002) 259 ITR 502 L. CIT V/S. SHIV HARIMADHU SUDAN (1998) 233 ITR 649 (RAJ) M. CIT V/S. MEHSANA DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD. (2003) 263 ITR 645 (GUJ) 7 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT 9. IN REGARD TO THE REFERENCE TO THE TPO IS CONCERNED, THE ASSESSEE REFERRED TO PARA 3 OF THE CBDT INSTRUCTION NO. 3/2016, F.NO.500/9/2015-APA-II GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES, FOREIGN TAX AND TAX RESEARCH DIVISION-I, APA-II SECTION, NEW DELHI, DATED 10 TH MARCH, 2016, WHICH READ AS 3. REFERENCE TO TRANSFER PRICING OFFICER (TPO) 3.1 THE POWER TO DETERMINE THE ARMS LENGTH PRICE (ALP) IN AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTION IS CONTAINED IN SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 92C. HOWEVER, SECTION 92CA PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE ASSESSING OFFICER (AO) CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT SO TO DO, HE MAY REFER THE COMPUTATION OF ALP IN RELATION TO AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTION TO THE TPO. FOR PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, THE BOARD HAS DECIDED THAT THE AO SHALL HENCE FORTH MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE TPO ONLY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES LAID OUT IN THIS INSTRUCTION. 3.2 ALL CASES SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY, EITHER UNDER THE COMPUTER ASSISTED SCRUTINY SELECTION [CASS] SYSTEM OR UNDER THE COMPULSORY MANUAL SELECTION SYSTEM (IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CBDTS ANNUAL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS REGARD- FOR EXAMPLE, INSTRUCTION NO.6/2014 FOR SELECTION IN F.Y 2014-15 AND INSTRUCTION NO. 8/2015 FOR SELECTION IN F.Y 2015-16), ON THE BASIS OF TRANSFER PRICING RISK PARAMETERS [IN RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS OR BOTH] HAVE TO BE REFERRED TO THE TPO BY THE AO, AFTER OBTAINING THE APPROVAL OF THE JURISDICTIONAL PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX (PCIT) OR COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX (CIT). THE FACT THAT A CASE HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY ON A TP RISK PARAMETER BECOMES CLEAR FROM A PERUSAL OF THE REASONS FOR WHICH A PARTICULAR CASE HAS BEEN SELECTED AND THE SAME ARE IN VARIABLY AVAILABLE WITH THE JURISDICTIONAL AO. THUS, IF THE REASON OR ONE OF THE REASONS FOR SELECTION OF A CASE FOR SCRUTINY IS A TP RISK PARAMETER, THEN THE CASE HAS TO BE 8 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT MANDATORILY REFERRED TO THE TPO BY THE AO, AFTER OBTAINING THE APPROVAL OF THE JURISDICTIONAL PCIT OR CIT. 10. THE ASSESSEE REFERRED TO CLAUSE 3.2 OF THE CBDT CIRCULAR AND MENTIONED THAT THE ASSESSEEASE WAS NOT SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY BASED ON TRANSFER PRICE RISK PARAMETER. IN THIS REGARD THE ASSESSEE MENTIONED THAT PROVISIONS OF SECTION 92CA WHICH ALSO SAYS THAT WHERE IT IS NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT TO DO SO THE AO MAY REFER TO THE TPO, WHICH ALSO INDICATES THAT THE REFERENCE TO THE TPO IS NOT MANDATORY, AND IT IS THE JUDICIAL DECISION OF THE AO TO MAKE SUCH A REFERENCE. 11. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER MENTIONED THAT THE ASSESSEE CASE DOES NOT FALL UNDER CLAUSE 3.3, WHICH READ AS UNDER: 3.3 CASES SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY ON NON-TRANSFER PRICING RISK PARAMETERS BUT ALSO HAVING INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS, SHALL BE REFERRED TO TPOS ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES: (A)WHERE THE AO COMES TO KNOW THAT THE TAXPAYER HAS ENTERED INTO INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS OR BOTH BUT THE TAXPAYER HAS EITHER NOT FILED THE ACCOUNTANTS REPORT UNDER SECTION 92E AT ALL OR HAS NOT DISCLOSED THE SAID TRANSACTIONS IN THE ACCOUNTANTS REPORT FILED; (B)WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A TRANSFER PRICING ADJUSTMENT OF 10 CRORE OR MORE IN AN EARLIER ASSESSMENT YEAR AND SUCH ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN UPHELD BY THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES OR IS PENDING IN APPEAL; AND (C)WHERE SEARCH AND SEIZURE OR SURVEY OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT AND FINDINGS REGARDING TRANSFER PRICING ISSUES IN RESPECT 9 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS OR BOTH HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY THE INVESTIGATION WING OR THE AO. 12. THE ASSESSEE MENTIONED THAT THE ASSESSEE CASE DOES NOT ATTRACT ANY OF THE CONDITION STIPULATED ABOVE AND THEREFORE, NO REFERENCE WAS REQUIRED TO BE MADE TO THE TPO. THE ASSESSEE ALSO MENTIONED THAT EACH OF THE QUERY OF THE AO WAS REPLIED, THE FACT WHICH IS NOT DENIED BY THE PCIT IN HIS ORDER. THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT IN THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS, THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED LETTERS WITH THE AUDIT REPORT U/S 92E OF THE IT ACT IN FORM 3CEB EVIDENCING THE INTERNATIONAL AND SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS DONE DURING THE YEAR. THE SAME WERE THEREAFTER VERIFIED BY THE AO DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS AND WHEN THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS AND VOUCHERS WERE SUBMITTED BEFORE HIM FOR VERIFICATION AND HE DID NOT DRAW ANY ADVERSE INFERENCE THEREFROM. 13. IN REGARD TO THE LARGE FOREIGN REMITTANCE TO NONRESIDENT NOT BEING A COMPANY OR A FOREIGN COMPANY (FORM 15CA), THE ASSESSEE MENTIONED THAT ALL UNDERLYING DOCUMENTS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE AO AND ALL REMITTANCES WERE FOR THE BUSINESS PURPOSE AND WERE TO AES / NON AES ALSO. 14. THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT THE BAD DEBTS OF RS 23.94 CRORES CLAIMED IN THE COMPUTATION OF INCOME IS OUT OF THE PROVISION MADE FOR DOUBTFUL DEBTS IN THE PRECEDING YEARS AND WAS ADDED BACK IN IN THE COMPUTATION OF TOTAL INCOME IN THAT PRECEDING YEAR, WHICH WAS REPLIED TO THE AO VIDE LETTER DATED 28.9.2018 10 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT WITH UNDERLYING DETAILS. SIMILARLY AN AMOUNT OF RS 1.12 CRORES, WHICH WAS NOT RECOVERABLE FROM THE CUSTOMERS WAS WRITTEN OFF DURING THE YEAR AND CHARGED TO THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, THE REPLY OF WHICH WAS SUBMITTED VIDE LETTER DATED 28.9.2018 WITH DETAILS TO AO. 15. IN REGARD TO THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE, THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATION LOSS (FCF) OF RS 6.66 CRORES WAS CHARGED TO PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT BEING RELATED TO THE FOREIGN TERM CURRENCY LOAN FOR WORKING CAPITAL AND THEREFORE OUGHT TO BE CHARGED TO PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT AS THESE WERE FOR THE NORMAL BUSINESS OF THE ASSESSE AND NOT FOR ANY CAPITAL ASSET. 16. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT EACH OF THE QUERY OF THE AO WAS REPLIED, WHICH IS ON RECORD AND NOT DENIED BY THE PCIT. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT EVEN ON THE MERITS OF THE ISSUES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE OF PCIT, THE ASSESSMENT ORDER PASSED BY THE AO IS NEITHER ERRONEOUS NOR PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF REVENUE AS EACH AND EVERY QUERY ASKED FOR BY THE AO WAS REPLIED AND IS ON ASSESSMENT RECORD. 17. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE FOREIGN REMITTANCE MADE TO NONRESIDENT NOT BEING A COMPANY OR A FOREIGN COMPANY (FORM 15CA) WERE FOR THE BUSINESS PURPOSE AND WERE TO NON AES. THE PROVISIONS OF SEC 92 APPLIES ONLY TO THE TRANSACTION WITH AES AND ALL TRANSACTION WITH NON AES ARE OUT OF ITS AMBIT; THEREFORE THE VERY PREMISE THAT LARGE OUTWARD REMITTANCE WERE MADE ATTRACTING 11 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT THE PROVISION OF TRANSFER PRICING (SEC 92 AND RELATED SECTIONS) IS NOT APPLICABLE AND THE ASSESSMENT ORDER CANNOT BE SAID TO BE ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE ON THIS ASPECT. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE OBSERVATION THAT GROSS TOTAL INCOME OF RS. 778,404,660 IS LESS THAN THE VALUE OF FOREIGN REMITTANCE SENT AT RS. 5,168,404,794/- HAS NO RELEVANCE. THESE FOREIGN REMITTANCES WERE FOR PURCHASE OF RAW MATERIAL, CONSULTANCY AND OTHER BUSINESS PURPOSES ETC.ALL THE SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS (SDT) WORTH RS. 264,524,412 ARE REPORTED IN FORM 3CEB. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT ALL OTHER QUERIES ARE REPLIED DURING THE ASSESSMENT AND ARE ON RECORDS, WHICH HAVE ALSO BEEN AGREED BY THE PCIT IN HIS ORDER. 18. THE ASSESSEE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE AO HAD CONSIDERED ALL THE SUBMISSIONS, EXAMINED THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS AND AFTER PROPER APPLICATION OF MIND DID NOT DRAW ANY ADVERSE INFERENCE THEREFROM. THE AOS OBSERVATIONS IN PARA-1 OF THE ASSESSMENT ORDER WHEREIN HE HAS CATEGORICALLY STATED THE ASSESSEE HAD DULY SUBMITTED REPLIES TO THE QUERIES ISSUED. 19. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LD CIT DR RELIED ON THE PCITS ORDER AND SUBMITTED THAT IN VIEW OF THE EXPLANATION 2 INSERTED IN SECTION 263, THE PCIT HAS A VIDE POWER U/S 263, AND WHERE EVER IT IS FOUND THAT DUE ENQUIRY AS REQUIRED HAS NOT BEEN MADE, SUCH ORDER CAN BE DIRECTED TO BE REFRAMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. THE CONTENTION OF THE CIT DR WAS THAT IF THE DUE ENQUIRY AS REQUIRED WAS 12 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT NOT MADE ASSESSMENT WAS RIGHTLY SET ASIDE, AND THERE IS NO NEED TO GO INTO THE INTEGRITY OF EACH ISSUE AND ACCORDING TO HER IF THE REFERENCE WAS NOT MADE TO THE TPO, THE PCIT WAS WELL WITHIN HIS JURISDICTION TO SAY THAT THE ORDER WAS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE. 20. WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS OF BOTH THE PARTIES, CAREFULLY PERUSED THE MATERIAL PLACED ON RECORD AND ALSO CONSIDERED THE ORDER PASSED U/S 263 AND HIS OBSERVATION THEREIN AND ASSESSEE REPLY TO THE PCIT AND THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER AND ARE OF THE VIEW THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS FURNISHED ALL INFORMATION AS ASKED FOR BY AO DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS AND WHICH HAVE BEEN DULY CONSIDERED BY HIM AS EVIDENT FROM THE ASSESSMENT ORDER. THE AO HAD ISSUED DETAILED QUESTIONNAIRE RAISING VARIOUS ISSUES WHICH WERE ALSO REPLIED BY THE ASSESSEE FROM TIME TO TIME. THE ASSESSEE HAD ALSO APPEARED PERSONALLY AND FILED THE DETAILED REPLIES TO ALL THE QUERIES RAISED AND BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS WERE ALSO PRODUCED. THE PCIT HAS FAILED TO SPECIFY AS TO HOW AND ON WHAT GROUND THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AND/ OR WHICH PART OF THE CBDT INSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT ADHERED TO BY THE AO. MERELY NOT RECORDING THE SATISFACTION AO ON THE RECORDS DOES NOT MAKE THE ASSESSMENT ORDER ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE, AS IS DECIDED IN THE VARIOUS JUDICIAL PRONOUNCEMENT BY VARIOUS COURTS. WE HAVE ALSO PERUSED INSTRUCTION NO 3/2016 AND ARE OF THE OPINION THAT IT WAS NOT MANDATORY FOR THE AO TO MAKE A REFERENCE 13 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT TO THE TPO. EVEN AS PER THE ORDER AND THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE U/S 263 WHICH HAS BEEN ISSUED IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE SELECTION OF THE CASE WAS FOR COMPLETE SCRUTINY AND THE ISSUES WAS NOT ON TRANSFER PRICING PARAMETERS RISK FACTORS.THE INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016 IN PARA 3.3 STATES THAT WHERE CASES ARE SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY ON NON TRANSFER PRICING RISK PARAMETERS BUT ALSO HAVING INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS, SHALL BE REFERRED TO TPO IN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES. THE SAID CLAUSE 3.3 OF THE INSTRUCTION SPECIFIES THREE SITUATIONS AND WE FIND THAT NONE OF THE SITUATION IS APPLICABLE IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE. THE CLAUSE (A) STATES WHERE THERE ARE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS OR SPECIFIED TRANSACTIONS OR BOTH AND THE TAXPAYER HAS NOT FILED ANY REPORT REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED UNDER SECTION 92E. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE AND REPORT WAS SUBMITTED AND ALSO DURING THE ASSESSMENT THE SAME WAS SUBMITTED. THE SECOND SITUATION WHERE IN PREVIOUS ASSESSMENTS IF ANY ADDITION ON ACCOUNT OF TRANSFER PRICING ADJUSTMENT OF MORE THAN TEN CRORES AND ADDITION BEING UPHELD IN APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS IS ALSO NOT APPLICABLE IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE, AND THIS IS NOT A CASE WHERE SEARCH OR SEIZURE OR SURVEY OPERATIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT. IN SUCH A SITUATION IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT THE ASSESSMENT IS ERRONEOUS AS REFERENCE TO TPO WAS NOT MADE. 21. WE ALSO FIND THAT ON SIMILAR ISSUE THE DELHI BENCH OF ITAT HAD OCCASION TO EXAMINE THIS ISSUE IN THE CASE OF M/ S AMIRA PURE FOODS PRIVATE LIMITED VS. 14 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT PCIT IN ITA NO. 3205/DEL/2017 , IN WHICH FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF HONBLE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF DELHI AIRPORT METRO EXPRESS LTD. REPORTED IN (2017) 398 ITR 8 (DELHI) IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN HELD AS UNDER : IT IS SEEN, IN THE ORDER DT. 30TH MARCH 2016, THE PRINCIPAL CIT HAS PROCEEDED BY SETTING OUT THE CONTENTS OF THE SHOW-CAUSE NOTICE AND THE CONTENTS OF THE REPLY GIVEN BY THE ASSESSEE. IT APPEARS THAT NO INQUIRY, AS SUCH, WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRINCIPAL CIT TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT ORDER WAS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE REVENUE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXERCISING JURISDICTION UNDER S. 263, THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ORDER OF THE AO IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE REVENUE HAS TO BE PRECEDED BY SOME MINIMAL INQUIRY. IN FACT, IF THE PRINCIPAL CIT IS OF THE VIEW THAT THE AO DID NOT UNDERTAKE ANY INQUIRY, IT BECOMES INCUMBENT ON THE PRINCIPAL CIT TO CONDUCT SUCH INQUIRY. ALL THAT PRINCIPAL CIT HAS DONE IN THE IMPUGNED ORDER IS TO REFER TO THE CIRCULAR OF THE CBDT AND CONCLUDE THAT 'IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE-COMPANY, THE AO WAS DUTY BOUND TO CALCULATE AND ALLOW DEPRECIATION ON THE BOT IN CONFORMITY OF THE CBDT CIRCULAR NO. 9 OF 2014 BUT THE AO FAILED TO DO SO. THEREFORE, THE ORDER OF THE AO IS ERRONEOUS INSOFAR AS PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE. THIS CAN HARDLY CONSTITUTE THE REASONS REQUIRED TO BE GIVEN BY THE PRINCIPAL CIT TO JUSTIFY THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION UNDER S. 263. IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PRESENT CASE IF, AS URGED BY THE REVENUE, THE ASSESSEE HAS WRONGLY CLAIMED DEPRECIATION ON ASSETS LIKE LAND AND BUILDING, IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON THE PRINCIPAL CIT TO UNDERTAKE AN INQUIRY AS REGARDS WHICH OF THE ASSETS WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED BY THE ASSESSEE OUT OF ITS OWN FUNDS DURING THE ASSESSMENT YEAR IN QUESTION AND, WHICH WERE THOSE ASSETS THAT WERE HANDED OVER TO IT BY THE DMRC. THAT BASIC EXERCISE OF DETERMINING TO WHAT EXTENT THE DEPRECIATION WAS CLAIMED IN EXCESS HAS NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRINCIPAL CIT. IT WAS ARGUED THAT THE PRINCIPAL CIT HAD EXERCISED THE SECOND OPTION AVAILABLE TO HIM UNDER S. 263(1) BY SENDING THE ENTIRE MATTER BACK TO THE AO FOR A FRESH ASSESSMENT. THAT OPTION, IN THE CONSIDERED VIEW OF THE COURT, CAN BE EXERCISED ONLY AFTER THE PRINCIPAL CIT UNDERTAKES AN INQUIRY HIMSELF IN THE MANNER INDICATED HEREINBEFORE. THAT IS MISSING IN 15 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT THE PRESENT CASE. TRIBUNAL WAS NOT IN ERROR IN SETTING ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER OF THE PRINCIPAL CIT UNDER S. 263. NO SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW ARISES. 22. WE MAY ALSO REFER TO THE FINDINGS OF THE ITAT DELHI BENCH IN THE CASE OF AMIRA PURE FOODS PRIVATE LIMITED REPORTED IN (2018) 63 ITR (TRIB) 355 (DELHI) IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED AS UNDER : 29. WE ARE ALSO OF THE VIEW THAT AS PER INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016, IT WAS NOT MANDATORY FOR THE AO TO MAKE A REFERENCE TO TPO. THE ASSESSEE HAD EXPLAINED BEFORE THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT THAT ITS CASE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE CONDITIONS REFERRED TO IN THE INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016 AND AS SUCH IT WASNT OBLIGATORY FOR THE AO TO MAKE A REFERENCE TO TPO. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS NOT DEALT WITH THIS CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE AND HAS GIVEN A BALD FINDING THAT AO SHOULD HAVE REFERRED TO TPO AS PER INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS NOT SPECIFIED UNDER WHICH CONDITION OF INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016, THE AO SHOULD HAVE REFERRED TO TPO. THE ARGUMENT OF THE LEARNED DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE THAT SELECTION UNDER CASS WAS MADE BECAUSE OF MISMATCH IN FOREIGN REMITTENT AND FORM 15CA, ALSO DOESNT HELP THE CAUSE OF THE REVENUE. AS PER R. 37BB, THE REPORTING IN FORM 15CA IS IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT MADE TO NON-RESIDENT NOT BEING A COMPANY OR TO A FOREIGN COMPANY. THE REPORTING IS NOT LIMITED OR IS NOT PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT MADE TO ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISE. WE ARE OF THE VIEW THAT THE CASS SELECTION WAS NOT ON THE BASIS OF TP RISK PARAMETERS AS ENVISAGED IN INSTRUCTION NO. 3 OF 2016 AND AS SUCH THE AO WAS NOT BOUND TO MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE TPO. 30. THE ASSESSEE HAD FILED VARIOUS REPLIES TO THE LEARNED PCIT IN RESPONSE TO NOTICE UNDER S. 263 OF THE ACT STATING THAT ALL THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY THE AO DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS IGNORED THE REPLIES OF THE ASSESSEE. HE MERELY STATES THAT THE REPLY HAS BEEN FILED BY THE ASSESSEE BUT HE NOWHERE DISCUSSES THE CONTENTIONS RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE AND WHY HE DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE CONTENTIONS OF THE ASSESSEE. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS MERELY REMITTED THE MATTER BACK TO THE AO WITHOUT MAKING ANY ENQUIRY HIMSELF. THE 16 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS MENTIONED THAT THE FRESH LOANS HAVE NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY THE AO. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS NOT CONSIDERED THE CONTENTIONS OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THERE IS NO FRESH LOAN. SIMILARLY, THE OTHER REPLIES OF THE ASSESSEE FILED DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT AND IN RESPONSE TO NOTICE UNDER S. 263 OF THE ACT HAVE BEEN TOTALLY IGNORED. NO ENQUIRY HAS BEEN MADE BY THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT. IT WAS INCUMBENT FOR THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT TO MAKE SOME MINIMUM INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY TO REACH TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ORDER OF THE AO IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE. THE RELIANCE IS RIGHTLY PLACED ON THE DECISIONS OF DELHI HIGH COURT IN LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT VS. DELHI AIRPORT METRO EXPRESS (P) LTD. (SUPRA) AND ITO VS. DG HOUSING PROJECTS LTD. (SUPRA). THE HONBLE DELHI HIGH COURT IN DELHI AIRPORT METRO EXPRESS (P) LTD. (SUPRA) HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION: '10. FOR THE PURPOSES OF EXERCISING JURISDICTION UNDER S. 263 OF THE ACT, THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ORDER OF THE AO IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF REVENUE HAD TO BE PRECEDED BY SOME MINIMAL INQUIRY. IN FACT, IF THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT IS OF THE VIEW THAT THE AO DID NOT UNDERTAKE ANY INQUIRY, IT BECOMES INCUMBENT ON THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT TO CONDUCT SUCH INQUIRY.' 31. THE LEARNED PRINCIPAL CIT HAS NOT REFERRED TO EXPLN. 2 OF S. 263 OF THE ACT WHICH HAS BEEN INSERTED W.E.F. 1ST JUNE, 2015 HOWEVER WE AGREE WITH THE FINDING OF THE CO-ORDINATE BENCH IN THE CASE OF NARAYAN TATU RANE (SUPRA), WHEREIN IT HAS BEEN HELD THAT EXPLANATION CANNOT SAID TO HAVE OVERRIDDEN THE LAW AS INTERPRETED BY THE VARIOUS HIGH COURTS, WHERE THE HIGH COURTS HAVE HELD THAT BEFORE REACHING A CONCLUSION THAT THE ORDER OF THE AO IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE, THE CIT HIMSELF HAS TO UNDERTAKE SOME ENQUIRY TO ESTABLISH THAT THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AND PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE. IN THE CASE OF NARAYAN RANE A DOUBT IS ALSO EXPRESSED REGARDING THE APPLICABILITY OF EXPLN. 2, WHICH WAS INSERTED BY FINANCE ACT 2015 W.E.F. 1ST JUNE, 2015, THE BENCH ALSO OBSERVED THAT IF THE EXPLANATION IS INTERPRETED TO HAVE OVERRIDDEN THE LAW AS LAID DOWN BY VARIOUS HIGH COURTS, THEN THE SAME WOULD EMPOWER THE PRINCIPAL CIT TO FIND FAULT WITH EACH AND EVERY ASSESSMENT ORDER AND ALSO TO FORCE THE AO TO CONDUCT ENQUIRIES IN THE MANNER PREFERRED BY THE PRINCIPAL CIT, THUS 17 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT PREJUDICING THE MIND OF THE AO, HOWEVER, THE INTENTION OF THE LEGISLATURE BEHIND THE EXPLANATION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO AS THE SAME WOULD LEAD TO UNENDING LITIGATION AND NO FINALITY IN THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. 23. WE ALSO FIND THAT IN RELATION TO THE QUERY LETTER ISSUED BY THE AO REPLY WAS DULY SUBMITTED TO THE AO ON VARIOUS ISSUES WHICH WERE RAISED AND THE ASSESSEEHAD ALSO APPEARED PERSONALLY AND FILED THE DETAILED REPLIES TO ALL THE QUERIES RAISED AND BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS WERE ALSO PRODUCED. THE PCIT HAS FAILED TO SPECIFY AS TO HOW AND ON WHAT GROUND THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IS ERRONEOUS AND/ OR WHICH PART OF THE QUERY WAS NOT PROPERLY EXAMINED. AS REGARDS CLAIM OF BAD DEBTS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATION THE ISSUE WAS DULY EXAMINED BY AO AND WE FIND NOTHING HAS BEEN POINTED OUT WITH REGARD TO THE ALLOWABILITY OF THE SAME OR AS TO HOW THE DECISION OF THE AO WAS ERRONEOUS OR PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE. 24. IN LIGHT OF ABOVE DISCUSSION WE HOLD THAT THE ORDER U/S 263 CANNOT BE SUSTAINED AS WE FIND THAT THE ASSESSMENT ORDER PASSED BY THE AO CANNOT BE SAID TO BE ERRONEOUS ORPREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OF REVENUE, AND ACCORDINGLY THE ORDER MADE U/S 263 IS QUASHED. SD/- SD/- (VIKRAM SINGH YADAV) (SANDEEP GOSAIN) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER JODHPUR DATED 07/09/2021 *RANJAN 18 ITA 02/JODH/2021 SECURE METERS LTD. VS PCIT COPY TO: 1. THE APPELLANT 2. THE RESPONDENT 3. THE CIT 4. THE CIT (A) 5. THE DR 6. GUARD FILE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR JODHPUR BENCH