AI Insights
The case involves Gajraj Construction, a partnership firm engaged in the business of builders and developers, which appealed against the order of the National Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC) concerning the assessment year 2015-16. The firm had declared a total income of ₹10,89,78,560 but was assessed at ₹12,41,48,960 due to the addition of an unsecured loan of ₹1,51,70,400, which was not substantiated to the satisfaction of the assessing officer. The firm contested this addition, but the first appellate authority upheld the assessment without further notice to the assessee, leading to the current appeal before the ITAT.
Appeal details
Counselvise Citation
[2023] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 136231 (ITAT-PUNE)
Assessee PAN
Bench
Appeal Number
Duration Of Justice
4 month(s) 15 day(s)
Appellant
Respondent
Appeal Type
Income Tax Appeal
Pronouncement Date
23-05-2023
Appeal Filed By
Assessee
Order Result
Allowed
Bench Allotted
A
Next Hearing Date
23-05-2023
Assessment Year
2015-2016
Appeal Filed On
08-01-2023
Judgement Text
॥ आयकर अपीलीय न्यायाधिकरण, पुणे “ए” न्यायपीठ, पुणे में ॥ ITAT-Pune Page 1 of 4 IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, PUNE “A” BENCH, PUNE BEFORE HON’BLE SHRI S. S. VISWANETHRA RAVI, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI G. D. PADMAHSHALI, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER आयकर अपील सं. / ITA No. 035/PUN/2023 निर्धारण वर्ा / Assessment Year : 2015-16 Gajraj Construction 201, Siddhivinayak Keshar, Somwar Peth, Pune-411030 PAN:AAHFG2926Q . . . . . . . अपीलार्थी / Appellant बनाम / V/s. Asstt. Commissioner of Income Tax Circle-6, Pune. . . . . . . .प्रत्यर्थी / Respondent द्वारा / Appearances Assessee by : Shri Vardhaman L Jain Revenue by : Shri Ramnath Murkunde स ु नवाई की तारीख / Date of conclusive Hearing : 24/05/2023 घोषणा की तारीख / Date of Pronouncement : 24/05/2023 आदेश / ORDER PER G. D. PADMAHSHALI, AM; By the present appeal the assessee challenges the order of National Faceless Appeal Centre [for short “NFAC”] dt. 06/12/2022 passed u/s 250 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 [for short “the Act”] for the assessment year 2015-16 [for short “AY”] Gajraj Construction ITA No. 35/PUN/2023 AY:2015-16 ITAT-Pune Page 2 of 4 2. Concisely stated facts borne out of the case records are; 2.1 The appellant assessee is a partnership firm engaged in the business of builders and developers, had e-filed its return of income for the year under consideration declaring total income of ₹10,89,78,560/-. 2.2 In the event of appellant’s failure to establish creditworthiness and genuineness of unsecured loan received from two parties, the Ld. ACIT Circle- 6, Pune by an order dt. 30/12/2017 assessed the total income at ₹12,41,48,960/- u/s 143(3) of the Act by bringing to tax such unsecured loan of ₹1,51,70,400/- u/s 68 of the Act. 2.3 Aggrieved assessee tried its luck in an appeal before first appellate authority. However it remained futile. For the reason the assessee firm instituted the present appeal with the following grounds of appeal; Gajraj Construction ITA No. 35/PUN/2023 AY:2015-16 ITAT-Pune Page 3 of 4 “1. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in failing to give an adequate opportunity of hearing before disposing off the appeal. 2. The learned CIT(A) erred in law and on facts in confirming the addition of Rs. 1,51,70,400/- u/s 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 3. The appellant craves leave to add to or alter the grounds of appeal, if deemed necessary.” 3. During the course of physical hearing, the Ld. AR at the outset adverting to para 4.3.3 of the impugned order contended that, during the first appellate proceedings the appellant firm through written representation attempted to establish creditworthiness & genuineness of unsecured loan brought to tax u/s 68 of the Act. Albeit said submissions did not prove creditworthiness and genuineness of transaction to fullest satisfaction, the Ld. FAA without further notice to the assessee has confirmed said addition, which is a clear case of violation of principle of natural justice, thus a fit case for remand to Ld. CIT(A) for re-consideration. Gajraj Construction ITA No. 35/PUN/2023 AY:2015-16 ITAT-Pune Page 4 of 4 4. After hearing to rival contentions of both the parties; we find substance in the argument of the Ld. AR that, the Ld. NFAC on not being persuaded by initial submissions of the appellant in establishing the creditworthiness & genuineness of unsecured loan, has without further notice culminated the proceedings in violation of principle of natural justice. For the reason, without commenting on merits of the case, we remand the matter back to Ld. CIT(A) for de-nova adjudication after according a reasonable opportunity to the appellant assessee. 5. Resultantly, the appeal is ALLOWED FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSE in above terms. In terms of rule 34 of ITAT Rules, the order pronounced in the open court on this Tuesday 24th day of May, 2023. -S/d- -S/d- S. S. VISWANETHRA RAVI G. D. PADMAHSHALI JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER पुणे / PUNE; दिन ांक / Dated : 25 th day of May, 2023. आदेश की प्रधिधलधप अग्रेधिि / Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. The Appellant. 2. The Respondent. 3. The Pr. CIT Circle-6, 4. The NFAC, New Delhi. 5. The DR, ITAT, “A” Bench, Pune 6. ग र्डफ़ इल / Guard File. आिेश नुस र / By Order, वररष्ठ दनजी सदिव / Sr. Private Secretary आयकर अपीलीय न्य य दिकरण, पुणे / ITAT, Pune.
Mehul