TEJU PARVAT,SANVER V. ITO-1(1), INDORE

ITA 635/IND/2024

AI Insights

The case involves Teju Parvat, the appellant, who did not file a return of income for the Assessment Year 2015-16 despite having sold agricultural land. The Income Tax Department initiated proceedings under sections 147/148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, due to non-compliance in filing returns. The Assessing Officer (A.O.) treated the sale proceeds as undisclosed short-term capital gains, leading to an assessment order which was upheld by the CIT(A). The appellant contested the CIT(A)'s decision, leading to the current appeal before the Tribunal. The Tribunal found that the CIT(A) had not adequately considered the appellant's submissions and evidence, necessitating a remand for a fresh assessment.

• Counselvise Citation: [2025] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 303009 (ITAT-INDORE)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 22-04-2025
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: DB
• Assessment Year: 2015-2016
• Laws Referred To: Income Tax Act, 1961
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: SHRIASHISHPORWAL
• Assessee Lawyers: SHRIMANISHDAFARIA
• Keywords: Set aside; Business income; Capital asset; Cost of acquisition; Principle of natural justice; Competent authority; Non compliance
• Section: 147; 148; 144; 142(1); 250; 271(1)(c); 139(1); 13; 2(14); 246A

Judgement Text

"Page 1 of 10 आयकरअपीलीयअिधकरण, इंदौरɊायपीठ, इंदौर IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL INDORE BENCH, INDORE BEFORE SMT. ANNAPURNA GUPTA, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND SHRI PARESH M JOSHI, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA No.635/Ind/2024 (AY: 2015-16) Teju Parvat, H.No.106 Tarana, Rajoda, Sanwer, Indore (PAN: ARFPT0551P) बनाम/ Vs. Income Tax Officer 1(1), Indore (Appellant) (Revenue) Assessee by Shri Manish Dafaria, AR Revenue by Shri Ashish Porwal, Sr. DR Date of Hearing 17.04.2025 Date of Pronouncement 22.04.2025 आदेश/ O R D E R Per Paresh M Joshi, J.M.: This is an appeal filed by the assessee Under Section 253 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the “Act” for sake of brevity) before this Tribunal as and by way of Second appeal under the Act. The assessee is aggrieved by the order bearing Number ITBA/NFAC/S/250/2024-25/1066033010(1) dated 26.06.2024 passed by Ld. CIT(A) u/s 250 of the Act which is hereinafter referred to as the “Impugned order”. The relevant Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 2 of 10 Assessment Year is 2015-16 and the corresponding previous year period is from 01.04.2014 to 31.03.2015. 2. FACTUAL MATRIX 2.1 That the assessee Shri Teju Parvat did not file his return of income for Assessment Year 2015-16. 2.2 That the Department of Income Tax was in possession of information that the assessee had sold immovable properties worth Rs.97,43,000/- and so also worth Rs.52,67,00/- during the Assessment Year 2015-16. However no return of income was filed with the Income Tax Department declaring any gain on sale of above mentioned properties whose value are depicted above. 2.3 That Department of Income Tax initiated proceedings u/s 147/148 however the assessee remained totally non compliant. Notice(s) u/s 148, 142(1) were not replied and no required information was furnished to Ld. A.O. Show cause notice dated 06.03.2023 calling upon the assessee as to why the assessment order should not be passed u/s 144 of the Act was however replied on 23.03.2023, 25.03.2023 and 26.03.2023 wherein it was stated by the assessee that he is a farmer and that he derives his income from the agricultural activities. With regard to Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 3 of 10 sale consideration amount as aforesaid the assessee stated that he had sold the immovable properties to Shri Manoj Kashyap and Shri Sawan Kashyap vide sale deed dated 19.06.2014. It was further stated that both immovable properties were agriculture land which were 16 Km away from Indore in terms of aerial distance and 8 Km away from Sanwer in terms of aerial distance. Both the properties does not fall under the purview of capital assets within the meaning of Section 2(14) of the Act therefore consideration amount realised supra were exempted from tax purview. A google map and a certificate from Patwari was placed on record but no valid return of income was filed. 2.4 The Ld. Assessing Officer on page 4 of the assessment order has observed as follows:- “4. Submission filed by the assessee are duly perused. On perusal of the same it is found that the assessee has filed documentary evidences such as google map and certificate from Patwari in respect of agricultural land. On perusal of the certificate, it is seen that it is just on a plain paper. Hence, the legal authenticity of this letter is not ascertainable. Further it is pertinent to note that credibility of google map cannot be corroborated in absence of valid certificate from competent authority. As such, it could not be established by the assessee that both the lands are not capital assets within the meaning of section 2(14) of the Income Tax Act. Under the circumstances, submission filed by the assessee is not found to be tenable. Also no information is available on record with regard to cost of acquisition or date of acquisition of such lands under reference. The assessee has not filed return also in response to notice u/s 148. Therefore, in view of the facts mentioned above, Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 4 of 10 considering total sales consideration amount of Rs. 1,50,10,000/- as undisclosed Short Term Capital Gain an amount of Rs. 1,50,10,000/- is being determined as total income of the assessee. I am also satisfied that the assessee has concealed particulars of income by not filing return of income despite having taxable income. Therefore, penalty proceedings u/s 271(1)(c) of the I.T. Act, 1961 are initiated separately for concealment of income”. 2.5 That total income of the assessee was computed at Rs.1,50,10,000/- vide assessment order bearing number: ITBA/AST/S/147/2022-23/1051347126(1) dated 26.03.2023 u/s 147 r.w.s. 144 of the Act which is hereinafter referred to as the “Impugned Assessment Order”. 2.6 That in the instant case no return of income was filed u/s 139(1) as well as U/s 148 of the Act which fact is recorded in the impugned assessment order on para 5 which is reproduced below:- “5. The assessee has not filed return of income u/s 139(1) for the A.Y. 2015-16 as well as in response to the notice u/s 148. Therefore, the penalty proceedings u/s 271F of the I.T. Act, 1961 for non-furnishing of ITR are being initiated separately for the AY 2015-16”. 2.7 That the assessee being aggrieved by the impugned assessment order prefers first appeal as provided U/s 246A of the Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 5 of 10 Act before CIT(A) who by the “Impugned Order” has dismissed the appeal of the assessee on grounds specified therein. 2.8 That the assessee being aggrieved by the “Impugned Order” has filed present second appeal before this Tribunal against the impugned order and has raised following grounds of appeal against the impugned order in Form 36 which are as under:- “1. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law and without prejudice to above grounds of appeal, the Ld. CIT erred in not accepting the contention of the assessee that addition of Rs.1,50,10,000 to the total income of the assessee as income from Short term capital gain on account of sale of agricultural lands was without appreciation of the facts of the case as the sale deeds submitted by assessee clearly convey that both the lands sold by the assessee are agricultural lands situated in rural area and hence not a capital asset. 2. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law and without prejudice to above ground of appeal, the Ld. CIT erred in not accepting the contention of the assessee that Ld. AO was barred by time in commencing the proceedings u/s. 147 after expiry of 3 years from the end of original assessment year. 3. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law, the Ld. CIT erred in not accepting the contention of the assessee that assessment procedure u/s. 147 deserves to declared as null and void. 4. On the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law and without prejudice to above grounds of appeal, Ld. CIT erred in not accepting the contention of the assessee that Ld. AO Jurisdiction Indore, has acted without jurisdiction in completing the assessment as the case was to be handled by faceless jurisdiction. 5. The Appellant craves leave to amend, alter, add or delete all or any of the above grounds of appeal”. Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 6 of 10 3. Recording of Hearing 3.1 The hearing in the matter took place before this Tribunal on 17.04.2025 when Ld. AR for and on behalf of the assessee appeared before us and placed on record of this Tribunal a paper book pages 1 to 68 and that the same was taken on record along with written submissions totalling 13 pages. The Ld. AR then interalia contended before us that the “impugned order” is illegal, bad in law and not proper. It is in violation of the principles of natural justice too. The “Impugned Order” should therefore be set aside by this Tribunal. The core issue in the instant appeal is whether the assessee is liable to pay capital gain tax on account of sale of agricultural land as the subject agricultural land does not fall within the meaning of Section 2(14) of the Act which defines capital assets. The necessary google map and certificate of Patwari are proof enough to establish this fact. Per contra Ld. DR for and on behalf of the Revenue contended that original cost of acquisition of immovable properties sold is conspicuously absent in the records of the case and Ld. A.O too had this handicap. Assessee has remained non- Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 7 of 10 compliant even before Ld. A.O besides Ld. CIT(A) hence it would be just and fair that matter be remanded to Ld. CIT(A) to pass a fresh order with direction to assessee to place all papers, documents, credible evidence etc. so that at least first appeal is disposed off on merits. 4. Observations,findings & conclusions. 4.1 We now have to decide the legality, validity and the proprietary of the “Impugned Order” basis records of the case and rival contentions canvassed before us. 4.2 We have carefully perused the records of the case. 4.3 We are of the considered view that in the “impugned order” at para 3 of Ld. CIT(A) has observed as follows:- “3. The appellant’s appeal was fixed for hearing on the following dates: S.No. Date of Notice Date of hearing Remarks 1 13.06.2023 20.06.2023 No reply 2 11.03.2024 18.03.2024 No reply 3 20.03.2024 02.04.2024 No reply 4 15.04.2024 22.04.2024 No reply There was no compliance to above notices which were sent on the email id. Registered under e-filing portal. Despite given repeated opportunities of being heard, there has been co compliance to the notices. It is apparent that the appellant is not interested in pursuing his appeal. In the absence of any submission from the appellant, the grounds of appeal are decided on merits on the basis of facts available on record.” Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 8 of 10 On para 5 Ld. CIT(A) has observed and held as under:- “5. The Appellant has remained non-compliant during the appellate proceedings and has not provided any concrete evidence relating to the addition made by the AO during the course of assessment, for which the assessee filed an appeal, rebutting the same with various grounds of appeal. Thus the appellant has not been able to controvert the stand taken by the Assessing Officer during the Appellate proceedings. The law aids those who are vigilant, not those who sleep upon their rights. This principle is embodied in the well-known dictum, \"VIGILANTIBUS NON DORMIENTIBUS JURA SUBVENIUNT\". Therefore, the undersigned sees no reason to interfere with the orders of the Assessing Officer. Thus, the appeal raised by the appellant is dismissed”. Basis above findings of Ld. CIT(A) we are of the considered opinion basis paper book and written submission placed on record before us that it would be just, fair and convenient that all these materials, papers, documents suitably be placed before CIT(A) in a manner known to law so that Ld. CIT(A) can adjudge and adjudicate at least first appeal of the assessee on meritorious grounds by passing a reasoned and speaking order by taking into consideration entire gamut of case. 4.4 We are also of the considered opinion that assessee may place on record before CIT(A) credible evidence worth credence in support of plea that agricultural immovable property does not fall within the meaning of Section 2(14) consequently not exigible for any tax. With regard to certification of Patwari we feel that such Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 9 of 10 certificate should be on government letter head instead of plain paper leaving no doubt before tax authorities. It should bear government seal, signature and designation of designated local revenue authority. With regard to issue of municipal limit necessary certificate too should be placed by the assessee of competent authorities preferably Town & Country Planning Authority evidencing the aerial distance from municipal limits and further stating that immovable properties are outside municipal limit of any development plans. The assessee should take steps to bring on record original cost of acquisition of immovable properties too. The aforesaid guidelines are given by this Tribunal with a view to adjudge and adjudicate first appeal on merits by following due process of law and if assessee so desires. 5. Order 5.1 In the above factual back drop the Impugned order is set aside as and by way of remand back to the file of CIT(A) to pass a fresh order on merits after giving full and complete opportunity to assessee. We hope and trust a suitable order after due process of Teju Parvat ITA No. 635/Ind/2024 - A.Y.2015-16 Page 10 of 10 law would be passed as expeditiously as possible preferably within six months from date of receipt of this order. 5.2 Appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose. Order pronounced in open court on 22.04.2025. Sd/- Sd/- (SMT. ANNAPURNA GUPTA) (PARESH M JOSHI) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Indore िदनांक/ Dated : 22/04/2025 Dev/Sr. PS Copies to: (1) The appellant (2) The respondent (3) CIT (4) CIT(A) (5) Departmental Representative (6) Guard File By order COPY Senior Private Secretary Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Indore Bench, Indore "