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2018 (2) TMI 1512 - ITAT JAIPURPenalty u/s 271(1)(c) - exemption u/s 54F as claimed in the return of income - defective notice - non-striking off of the irrelevant clause - Held that:- The notice talks about both the charges and it doesn’t convey to the assessee as to which charge he has to respond. The notice thus demonstrate non-application of mind on the part of the AO. Further, we refer to the assessment order where, after discussing the issue relating to computation of capital gains, the AO held that by showing less capital gains, the assessee has furnished inaccurate particulars of income and penalty proceedings are being initiated separately and thereafter, towards the end of the assessment order, the AO states that penalty proceedings u/s 271(1)(c) read with section 274 have been initiated separately for concealment of income/furnishing of inaccurate particulars of income. AO himself is unsure about the charge against the assessee during the course of assessment proceedings. Considering the observations of the AO in the assessment order alongside his action of non-striking off the irrelevant clause in the penalty notice shows that the charge being made against the assessee qua 271(1)(c) is not firm, shows non-application of mind on the part of the AO, and the vagueness and ambiguity in the notice has thus prejudiced the right of reasonable opportunity to the assessee in as much as the assessee is not made aware as to which of the two charges, he has to submit his defence. Where the factum of non-striking off of the irrelevant clause in the notice has been held as reflective of non-application of mind by the AO and in light of facts and circumstances of the present case and the above discussions, the penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c) is liable to be deleted. - Decided in favour of assessee.
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