IN THE INC OME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL F BENCH, MUMBAI BEFORE HONBLE SH. SANDEEP GOSAIN, JM & HONBLE SH. RAJESH KUMAR, A M ./ I.T.A. NO . 5933/MUM/2017 ( / ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2009 - 10 ) VINOD K. FARIA FLAT NO. 3, FAIRY MANOR, 13 GUNBOW STREET, FORT, MUMBAI - 400 076 / VS. DCIT(OSD) - II CEN RG 7, ROOM NO. 413, AA YAKAR BHAVAN, M. K. ROAD, MUMBAI - 400 020 ./ ./ PAN NO. A A APF1045J ( / APPELLANT ) : ( / RESPONDENT ) / APPELLANT BY : NONE / RESPONDENTBY : SHRI RAJEEV GUBGOTRA , D R / DATE OF HEARING : 17 .12 .2018 / DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 08.02.2019 / O R D E R PER SANDEEP GOSAIN, J UDICIAL MEMBER : THE P RESENT APPE AL FILED BY THE ASSESSEE IS AGAINST THE ORDER OF LD. CIT (APPEAL) 52 , MUMBAI DATED 07.06.2017 F OR AY 2009 - 10 ON THE GROUNDS MENTIONED HEREIN BELOW: - 2 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA GROUND I: 1 . ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LEARNED COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS) - 52, MUMBAI ['THE CLT(A)'] ERRED IN CONFIRMING THE PENALTY U/S. 271AAAOF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 ('THE ACT') LEVIED BY THE LEARNED DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (OSD - II), CENTRAL RANGE - 7, MUMBAI ['THE AO'], WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THERE THE QUANTUM APPEAL IS PENDING BEFORE THE HON'BLE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, MUMBAI. 2 . THE APPELLANT, THEREFORE, PRAYS THAT HON'BLE CIT(A) BE DIRECTED TO CONSIDER THE APPELLANT'S SUBMISSION ON MERITS AS TO WHY LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271AAA OF THE ACT THE SHOULD NOT BE LEVIED. WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO GROUND I: GROUND II: ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND IN LAW, THE LEARNED CIT (A) ERRED IN CONFIRMING THE PENALTY LEVIED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, (OSD - II), CENTRAL RANGE - 7, MUMBAI ('THE AO') U/S 271AAA OF THE ACT AMOUNTING TO RS. 13,99,140 LEVIED AT 10% IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS: A. ALLEGED UNEXPLAINED CASH AMOUNTING TO RS. 2,69,034; B. ALLEGED UNACCOUNTED BUSINESS STOCK AMOUNTING TO RS. 5,58,370; 3 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA C. ALLEGED BOGUS UNSECURED LOANS AMOUNTING TO RS. 1,22,66,000 D. ADHOC BUSINESS INCOME AMOUNTING TO RS. 8,00,000 2. FURTHER, THE CIT (A) ERRED IN LEVYING PENALTY U/S 271AAA OF THE ACT ON THE CONCLUSION THAT HIS LEARNED PREDECESSOR HAD CONFIRMED THE ADDITIONS VIDE HIS ORDER DATED CIT(A)_ 40/DCIT(OSD - II)/ CR - 7/316/10 - 11, WHEREAS IN REALITY THE APPEAL HAD BEEN DISMISSED A IN LIME. 3. THE APPELLANT PRAYS THAT THE LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271AAA OF THE ACT AMOUNTING TO RS.13,99,140 BE DELETED. GROUND III THE APPELLANT CRAVES LEAVE TO ADD, AMEND, ALTER AND /OR DELETE ANY /ALL OF THE ABOVE GROUNDS OF APPEAL. 2. AT THE VERY OUTSET, IT IS NOTICED THAT NONE HAS APPEARED ON BEHALF OF ASSESSEE IN SPITE OF CALLS AND EVEN NO APPLICATION FOR ADJOURNMENT WAS MOVED. FROM THE RECORDS, WE NOTICED THAT THE NOTICE WAS ISSUED AND SERVED UPON THE ASSESSEE. ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN TH IS RESPECT IS ON THE C OURT FILE. ON THE OTHER HAND L D. DR IS PRESENT IN THE COURT AND IS READY WITH ARGUMENTS. 4 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA THEREFORE WE HAVE DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH THE HEARING OF THE CASE EX - PA RTE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE L D. DR AND THE MATERIAL PLACED ON RECORD. 3. THE BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE THAT THE ASSESSEE IS A PROPERITOR IN M/S MAYUR PLYWOOD N VENEERS AND M/S MAHAVEER GLASS AND ALUMINIUM AND IS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF TRADING IN PLYWOOD , GLASS AND ALUMINIUM ETC. A SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION U/S. 132(1) OF THE ACT WAS CAR RIED OUT IN THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE ON 30.05.08. DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH SOME CASH WAS FOUND AND SEIZED BESIDES VARIOUS INCRIMINATING DOCUMENTS WERE ALSO FOUND AND SEIZED. CONSEQUENTLY, THE AO ISSUED A NOTICE U/S.153A OF THE ACT TO THE ASSESSEE ON 9/1 2/2009, WHICH WAS SERVED ON THE ASSESSEE ON 16/12/2009, REQUIRING HIM TO FURNISH THE RETURN OF INCOME WITHIN 20 DAYS FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE. HOWEVER, THE ASSESSEE DID NOT FURNISH ANY RETURN OF INCOME IN RESPONSE TO THE SAID NOTICE. THEREAFTE R, THE AO ISSUED A LETTER DATED 24/9/2010 TO THE ASSESSEE, REQUIRING HIM TO FILE THE RETURN OF INCOME WITHIN SEVEN DAYS. AGAIN, THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO FILE THE RETURN OF INCOME. LATER, THE ASSESSEE WAS ALLOWED TO INSPECT THE 5 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA VARIOUS DOCUMENT S/RECORDED SEIZED DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH, ON 20/10/2010. EVEN THEREAFTER, THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO FILE THE RETURN OF INCOME. THE AO THEN ISSUED A NOTICE U/S. 142(1) OF THE ACT ON 03/11/2010, ALONG WITH A QUESTIONNAIRE, FIXING A HEARI NG ON 11/11/2010. IN RESPONSE TO THE SAME, THE ASSESSEE FILED A LETTER DATED 12/11/2010, SEEKING ADJOURNMENT. ACCORDINGLY, THE CASE WAS ADJOURNED TO 19/11/2010. HOWEVER, THE ASSESSEE DID NOT FILE THE RETURN OF INCOME OR THE DETAILS CALLED FOR. ACC ORDINGLY, THE ASSESSMENT WAS COMPLETED U/S. 144 READ WITH SEC. L53A OF THE ACT, VIDE ORDER DATED 28/12/2010, WHEREIN ASSESSEE'S TOTAL INCOME WAS COMPUTED AT RS.1,39,91,400/ - . WHILE COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT, PENALTY PROCEEDINGS U/S.271AAA OF THE ACT WERE ALSO INITIATED BY THE AO. THE ASSESSEE'S APPEAL AGAINST THE ABOVE ASSESSMENT ORDER WAS DISMISSED BY MY LD. PREDECESSOR VIDE ORDER DATED 27/2/2013. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS U/S.271AAA WERE TAKEN UP BY THE AO, AND AFTER CONSIDERIN G THE SUBMISSIONS MADE BY THE ASSESSEE IN THIS REGARD, HE LEVIED A PENALTY OF RS. 13,99,140/ - U/S.271AAA OF THE ACT, ON THE ASSESSEE, VIDE ORDER DATED 10/3/2014. 6 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA AGGRIEVED BY THE ORDER OF AO, ASSESSEE PREFERRED APPEAL BEFORE LD. CIT(A) AND LD. CIT(A) AFTER CONSIDERING THE CASE OF BOTH THE PARTIES, DISMISSED THE APPEAL OF THE ASSESS EE . NOW BEFORE US, THE ASSESSEE HAS PREFERRED THE PRESENT APP EAL BY RAISING THE ABOVE GROUND . 4 . THE SOLITARY GROUND S RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE RELATES TO CHA LLENGING THE ORDER OF LD. CIT(A) IN CONFIRMING THE PENALTY LEVIED BY THE AO UNDER SECTION 271 AAA OF THE ACT. 5 . WE HAVE HEARD LD. DR AND WE HAVE ALSO PERUSED THE MATERIAL PLACED ON RECORD AS WELL AS THE ORDERS PASSED BY REVENUE AUTHORITIES. BEFORE WE DECIDE THE MERITS OF THE CASE, IT IS NECESSARY TO EVALUATE THE ORDERS PASSED BY LD. CIT(A). THE LD. CIT(A) HAS DEALT WITH THE ABOVE GROUND RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE IN PARA NO. 6 TO 9 OF ITS ORDER AND THE SAME IS REPRODUCED BELOW: - 6. I HAVE C ONSIDERED THE FACTS OF THE CASE, SUBMISSIONS AND CONTENTIONS OF THE ASSESSEE AS ALSO THE 7 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA ORDER OF THE AO. IT IS RELEVANT TO MENTION OVER HERE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION ON THE PREMISES OF THE ASSESSEE CASH OF RS. 2,35,750/ - + RS. 14.180/ - + RS. 19.104/ - TOTALING TO RS. 2,69,034/ - WAS FOUND FROM VARIOUS PREMISES. DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE PROCEEDINGS, THE ASSESSEE WAS ASKED TO EXPLAIN THE SOURCES OF SUCH CASH FOUND, BUT HE FAILED TO GIVE ANY CREDIBLE EXPLANATION R EGARDING THE SOURCE OF CASH. THEREAFTER, DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS, ONCE AGAIN THE ID. AO ASKED THE ASSESSEE TO EXPLAIN THE SOURCES OF THIS CASH, BUT THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO FURNISH ANY SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION IN THIS REGARD. THE AO THE REFORE ADDED THE SAME IN THE HANDS OF THE ASSESSEE. ON APPEAL, THE CIT (A) CONFIRMED THE ABOVE ADDITIONS VIDE HIS ORDER NO. CIT(A) - 40/DCIT(OSD - II)/CR - 7/316/10 - 11 DATED 27/02/2013, AS THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO FURNISH ANY SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION TO HIM . T HIS RESULTED INTO LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271AAA OF THE ACT BY THE AO @10% OF UNDISCLOSED INCOME DETECTED ON ACCOUNT OF SEARCH . DURING THE COURSE OF THE APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS ALSO THE ID. AR HAS NOT FURNISHED ANY EXPLANATION BEFORE ME AS TO HOW AND WHY PENALT Y LEVIED BY THE AO WAS UNFAIR OR UNJUSTIFIED . IN ABSENCE OF ANY EXPLANATION IN THIS REGARD, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO INTERFERE IN THE DECISION OF THE AO LEVYING PENALTY ON THIS ISSUE . 8 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA 7. BESIDES DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH, UNACCOUNTED BUSINESS STOCK OF RS. 5,58,370/ - WAS ALSO FOUND. HOWEVER, SINCE THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO GIVE ANY SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION FOR THE SAME DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND AS WELL AS ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS, THE AO ADDED THE SAME IN THE HANDS OF THE ASSESSEE. THIS ADDITION TOO HAS BEEN UPHELD BY MY ID. PREDECESSOR . : AO HAS LEVIED PENALTY @10% U/S 271AAA ON THE ABOVE AMOUNTS. FURTHER IN THE APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS ALSO THE ID. AR HAS NOT FURNISHED ANY EXPLANATION BEFORE ME AS TO HOW AND WHY PENALTY LEVIED BY THE AO WAS UNFAIR OR UNJUSTIFIED . SIMILARLY THE AO DISCOVERED BOGUS UNSECURED LOANS OF RS. 1,22,66,000/ - ON ACCOUNT OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION . THIS ADDITION TOO HAS BEEN UPHELD BY MY ID. PREDECESSOR . LATER THE AO HAS LEVIED PENALTY @10% U/S 271AAA IN RESPECT OF THE ABOVE AMOUNT AS WELL . SIMILARLY THE , AO COMPUTED INCOME FROM BUSINESS OF THE ASSESSEE DURING THE YEAR AT RS. 8,00,000/ - . ADMITTEDLY THE ASSESSEE IS A PROPERITOR OF M/S MAYUR PLYWOOD N VENEERS AND M/S MAHAVEER GLASS AND ALUMINIUM AND IS ENGANGED IN THE BUSINE SS OF TRADING IN PLYWOOD , GLASS AND ALUMINIUM ETC. NATURALLY THE ASSESSEE MUST HAVE EARNED SOME INCOME FROM SUCH BUSINESSES. BUT THE ASSESSEE EVEN DID NOT FILE A RETURN OF INCOME , LET ALONE DISCLOSING ANY INCOME FROM SUCH BUSINESSES . SINCE THE ABOVE ISS UES HAVE 9 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA ARISEN ON ACCOUNT OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION, THE ASSESSEE IS LIABLE FOR PENALTY U/S. 271AAA OF THE ACT. FOR CLARITY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 271AAA ARE REPRODUCED AS UNDER: - ' 271AAA (1) THE ASSESSING OFFICER MAY, NOTHWITHSTANDING ANYTHING CO NTAINED IN ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, DIRECT THAT, IN A CASE WHERE SEARCH HAS BEEN INITIATED UNDER SECTION 132 ON OF AFTER THE 1 ST DAY OF JUNE, 2007 [ BUT BEFORE THE 1 ST DAY OF JULY, 2012], THE ASSESSEE SHALL PAY BY WAY OF PENALTY, IN ADDITION TO TAX, IF ANY, PAYABLE BY HIM, A SUM COMPUTED AT THE RATE OF TEN PER CENT OF THE UNDISCLOSED INCOME OF THE SPECIFIED PREVIOUS YEAR, (2) NOTHING CONTAINED IN SUB - SECTION (I) SHALL A PPLY IF THE ASSESSEE - (I) IN THE COURSE OF SEARCH, IN A STATEMENT UNDER SUB - SECTION (4) OF SECTION 132, ADMITS THE UNDISCLOSED INCOME AND SPECIFIES THE MANNER IN WHICH SUCH INCOME HAS BEEN DERIVED; (II) SUBSTANTIATES THE MANNER IN WHICH THE UNDISCLOSED INC OME WAS DERIVED; AND (III) PAYS THE TAX, TOGETHER WITH INTEREST, IF ANY, IN RESPECT OF THE UNDISCLOSED INCOME. 10 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA (3) NO PENALTY UNDER THE PROVISION S OF CLAUSE (C) OF SUB - SECTION(1 ) OF SECTION 271 SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON THE ASSESSEE IN RESPECT OF THE UNDISCLOS ED INCOME REFERRED TO IN SUB - SECTION(L). (4) THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 274 AND 275 SHALL, SO FAR AS MAY BE, APPLY IN RELATION TO EH PENALTY REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION. EXPLANATION - FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, - (A) 'UNDISCLOSED INCOME' MEANS - (I) ANY INCOME OF THE SPECIFIED PREVIOUS YEAR REPRESENTED, EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY, BY ANY MONEY, BULLION, JEWELLERY OR OTHER VALUABLE ARTICLE OR THING OR ANY ENTRY IN THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT OR OTHER DOCUMENTS OR TRANSACTIONS FOUND IN THE COURSE OF A SEARCH UNDE R SECTION 132, WHICH HAS (A) NOT BEEN RECORDED ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF SEARCH IN THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT OR OTHER DOCUMENTS MAINTAINED IN THE NORMAL COURSE RELATING TO SUCH PREVIOUS YEAR; OR (B) OTHERWISE NOT BEEN DISCLOSED TO THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF COMM ISSIONER BEFORE THE DATE OF SEARCH; OR 11 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA (II) ANY INCOME OF THE SPECIFIED PREVIOUS YEAR REPRESENTED, EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY, BY ANY ENTRY IN RESPECT OF AN EXPENSE RECORDED IN THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT OR OTHER DOCUMENTS MAINTAINED IN THE NORMAL COURSE RELATING T O HE SPECIFIED PREVIOUS YEAR WHICH IS FOUND TO BE FALSE AND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE SO HAD THE SEARCH NOT BEEN CONDUCTED; 8. AS STATED ABOVE, THE ABOVE UNACCOUNTED CASH, UNEXPLAINED BUSINESS STOCK , BUSINESS INCOME AND UNSECURED LOANS HAVE BEEN DET ECTED ON ACCOUNT OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION IN THE HANDS OF THE ASSESSEE AND THEREFORE, THEY ARE CLEARLY COVERED BY THE PROVISIONS OF SEC. 271AAA. IT IS RELEVANT TO MENTION OVER HERE THAT THE ASSESSEE NEITHER SURRENDERED THESE AMOUNTS IN HIS STATEMENT DU RING THE COURSE OF SEARCH NOR INCLUDED THESE AMOUNTS IN THE RETURN OF INCOME FILED SUBSE QUENT TO SEARCH NOR DUE TAXES H AVE BEE N PAID. THEREFORE, HE IS NOT ELI GIBLE FOR ANY IMMUNITY UNDER SUB - SECTION (2) OF SEC. 271AAA. 9. THE HON'BLE BOMBAY HIGH COURT, IN THE CASE OF CIT VS. ZOOM COMMUNICATIONS PVT LTD. (2O1O) 327 ITR 510, HAS, AFTER CONSIDERING THE DECISION OF THE HON'BLE APEX COURT IN THE CASE OF RELIANCE PETRO PRODUCTS PVT LTD., HELD THAT IF THE ASSESSEE MAKES A CLAIM WHICH 12 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA IS NOT ONLY INCORRECT IN LAW BUT IS WHOLLY WITHOUT ANY BASIS AND THE EXPLANATION OFFERED BY HIM FOR MAKING SUCH A CLAIM IS NOT FOUND TO BE BONA - FIDE , EXPLANATION 1 TO SECTION 271(L)(C) WOULD COME INTO PLAY AND THE ASSESSEE WILL BE LIABLE FOR PENALT Y. 6. AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH THE ORDERS PASSED BY REVENUE AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ORDERS PASSED BY REVENUE AUTHORITIES AND CONSIDERING THE FACTS AS DISCUSSED ABOVE, WE FIND THAT DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE ACTION ON THE PREMISES OF THE ASSES SEE, CASH WAS FOUND AND ASSESSEE WAS ASKED TO EXPLAIN THE SOURCES OF SUCH CASH FOUND, BUT HE FAILED TO GIVE ANY CREDIBLE EXPLANATION REGARDING THE SOURCE OF CASH. EVEN THE ASSESSEE NEITHER SURRENDERED THESE AMOUNTS IN HIS STATEMENT DURING THE COURSE OF SEARCH NOR INCLUDED THESE AMOUNTS IN THE RETURN OF INCOME FILED SUBSEQUENT TO SEARCH NOR DUE TAXES HAVE BEEN PAID. THEREFORE, CONSIDERING ALL THESE FACT, LD. CIT(A) HAD RIGHTLY CONCLUDED THAT ASSESSEE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY IMMUNITY UNDER SUB - SECTION(2) OF SEC. 271AA A OF THE I.T. ACT. 13 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA 7. EVEN BEFORE US, N O NEW FACTS O R CONTRARY JUDGMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT ON RECORD BEFORE US I N ORDER TO CONTROVERT OR REBUT THE FINDINGS SO RECORDED BY LD. CIT(A). THEREFORE, THERE ARE NO REASON S FOR US TO INTERFERE INTO OR DEVIATE FROM THE FINDINGS SO RECORDED BY THE LD.CIT(A). HENCE , WE ARE OF THE CONSIDERED VIEW THAT THE FINDINGS SO RECORDED BY THE LD. CIT (A) ARE JUDICIOUS AND ARE WE LL REASONED. RESULTANTLY, THESE GROUND RAISED BY TH E ASSESSEE STANDS DISMISSED . 8 . IN THE NET RESULT , THE APPEAL FILED BY THE ASSESSEE STANDS DISMISSED WITH NO ORDER AS TO COST. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 8 TH FEB , 2019. SD/ - SD/ - ( RAJESH KUMAR ) (SANDEEP GOSAIN) / ACCOUNTANT MEMBER / JUDICIAL MEMBER MUMBAI ; DATED : 08 . 02 .201 9 SR.PS . DHANANJAY 14 I.T.A. NO. 5933 /MUM/201 7 VINOD K. FARIA / COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO : 1. / THE APPELLANT 2. / THE RESPONDENT 3. ( ) / THE CIT(A) 4. / CIT - CONCERNED 5. , , / DR, ITAT, MUMBAI 6. / GUARD F I LE / BY ORDER, . / (DY./ASSTT.REGISTRAR) , / ITAT, MUMBAI