RAMRATI SAHU,BHOPAL V. CIT(A), NFAC, DELHI

ITA 34/IND/2025

AI Insights

The case involves Ramrati Sahu, the appellant, who contested the disallowance of an exemption claimed under section 54B of the Income-tax Act, 1961, amounting to Rs.2,01,88,930. The initial assessment order was passed by the Deputy Commissioner of Income-Tax (DCIT) and was upheld by the CIT(A) in an ex-parte decision due to the appellant's non-appearance. The appellant, however, submitted a written application and submissions, which were considered by the ITAT. The ITAT decided to remand the case back to the CIT(A) for a thorough re-examination, emphasizing the need for substantial justice over technicalities.

• Counselvise Citation: [2026] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 833678 (ITAT-INDORE)
• Duration Of Justice: 1 year(s) 27 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 03-02-2026
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: DB
• Assessment Year: 2014-2015
• Appeal Filed On: 07-01-2025
• Other Referred Cases: Collector, Land Acquisition Vs Mst. Katiji and others
• Laws Referred To: Income-tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Matter Remanded
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: FORREVENUEDOESNOTHAVEANYOBJECTIONIFTHEBENCHCONDONESDELAYAND; FORREVENUE; WEREMANDTHISCASETOTHEFILEOFCIT A; SHRIASHISHPORWAL
• Assessee Lawyers: WRITTEN SUBMISSION
• Keywords: Revision of order
• Section: 143(3); 263; 54B

Judgement Text

"Page 1 of 7 आयकरअपीलीयअिधकरण, इंदौरɊायपीठ, इंदौर IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL INDORE BENCH, INDORE BEFORE SHRI B.M. BIYANI, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND SHRI PARESH M. JOSHI, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA No.34/Ind/2025 Assessment Year:2014-15 Ramrati Sahu, 74, Humanganj Market, Bhopal बनाम/ Vs. DCIT 4(1) Bhopal (Assessee/Appellant) (Revenue/Respondent) PAN: ATNPS4535N Assessee by Written Submission Revenue by Shri Ashish Porwal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing 15.01.2026 Date of Pronouncement 03.02.2026 आदेश/ O R D E R Per B.M. Biyani, A.M.: Feeling aggrieved by order of first-appeal bearing DIN: ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2024-25/1066160068(1) dated 27.06.2024 passed by learned Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals)-NFAC, Delhi [“CIT(A)”] which in turn arises out of assessment-order dated 18.12.2019 passed by learned DCIT-4(1), Bhopal [“AO”] u/s 263 r.w.s. 143(3) of Income-tax Act, 1961 [“the Act”] for Assessment-Year [“AY”] 2014-15, the assessee has filed this appeal on following grounds: Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 2 of 7 “1. That the disallowance of exemption u/s 54B claimed at Rs.2,01,88,930/- be held to be bad and unjustified and be deleted. 2. In the alternative and without prejudice to the ground stated above, the disallowance made in the relevant year be held to be high, unreasonable and unjustified and be suitably reduced. 3. The appellant craves leave to add, amend or alter any Ground of Appeal before or during the course of appellate proceedings.” 2. None appeared nor any adjournment application is filed on behalf of assessee/appellant when the case is called, although the notices of hearing were served upon assessee and in past the assessee has filed a written- application for grant of adjournment which was allowed. Further, the assessee has filed a “Written-Submission” for consideration of bench, which is available in case-file. The Ld. DR is also ready to represent the revenue/ respondent. We, therefore, proceeded to decide the appeal ex-parte qua the assessee/appellant on merit after considering the material available on record and after hearing the Ld. DR. 3. The registry has informed that the present appeal is delayed by 129 days and therefore time-barred. The assessee has filed an application for condonation of delay; the same is scanned and re-produced for an immediate reference: Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 3 of 7 Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 4 of 7 4. The averments made by assessee in above application, which are self- explanatory and which do not require repetition, were discussed and the Ld. DR for revenue does not have any objection if the bench condones delay and accordingly left it to the wisdom of bench. We have considered the explanation advanced by assessee and in absence of any contrary fact or material on record, the assessee is found to have a “sufficient cause” for delay in filing present appeal. We find that section 253(5) of the Act empowers the ITAT to admit an appeal after expiry of prescribed time, if there is a “sufficient cause” for not presenting appeal within prescribed time. It is also a settled position by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Collector, Land Acquisition Vs Mst. Katiji and others 1987 AIR 1353, 1987 2 SCC 387 that whenever substantial justice and technical considerations are opposed to each other, the cause of substantial justice must be preferred by adopting a justice-oriented approach. Thus, taking into account the facts of case, the provision of section 253(5) and the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court, we take a judicious view, condone delay, admit appeal and proceed with hearing. 5. It further emerged during hearing that the CIT(A) has decided first- appeal ex-parte qua assessee for the reason that the assessee did not make any submission before him despite opportunities given. However, the assessee’s grievances are substantial which require an apt adjudication by CIT(A) on the basis of information and documents. The assessee has filed following Written-Submission: Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 5 of 7 Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 6 of 7 6. Thus, the assessee is requesting to remand this matter to the file of CIT(A) for deciding afresh. The assessee is also willing to make a Printed from counselvise.com Ramrati Sahu ITA No. 34/Ind/2025 - AY 2014-15 Page 7 of 7 representation before CIT(A). Therefore, in the interest of justice and with the consent of Ld. DR for revenue, we remand this case to the file of CIT(A) for a fresh adjudication. The CIT(A) shall give necessary opportunity of hearing to assessee and pass an appropriate order uninfluenced by his earlier order. The assessee is also directed to remain vigilant and ensure participation in the hearings as may be fixed by CIT(A) and do not seek unnecessary adjournments failing which the CIT(A) shall be at liberty to pass appropriate order in accordance with law. Ordered accordingly. 7. Resultantly, this appeal is allowed for statistical purpose. Order pronounced in open court on 03/02/2026 Sd/- Sd/- (PARESH M. JOSHI) (B.M. BIYANI) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER Indore िदनांक/Dated : 03/02/2026 Patel/Sr. PS Copies to: (1) The appellant (2) The respondent (3) CIT (4) CIT(A) (5) Departmental Representative (6) Guard File By order UE COPYSr. Private Secretary Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Indore Bench, Indore Printed from counselvise.com "