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2016 (7) TMI 168 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Validity of the revision order passed by the Administrative Commissioner.
2. Jurisdiction of the CIT(A) in admitting and adjudicating the appeal filed by the assessee.
3. Addition of ?14,78,500/- relating to the cash seized by the department.
4. Addition pertaining to the unaccounted payments claimed to have been paid to the officials of NHAI.
5. Addition of ?57.50 lakhs as illegal payments made to the officials of NHAI.
6. Addition of ?12.50 lakhs for payments not accounted in the books.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Validity of the Revision Order Passed by the Administrative Commissioner:
The appeal numbered IT(SS)A 28/Coch/07 challenged the validity of the revision order under section 263 of the Income-tax Act. The Administrative Commissioner directed the AO to examine issues omitted in the original block assessment. The Tribunal upheld the revision order, citing the Supreme Court's interpretation of section 263 in Malabar Industrial Co. Ltd. v. CIT, which allows for revision if the order is erroneous and prejudicial to the interests of the Revenue. The AO's failure to examine search materials rendered the assessment order erroneous and prejudicial to Revenue interests.

2. Jurisdiction of the CIT(A) in Admitting and Adjudicating the Appeal Filed by the Assessee:
The revenue's appeal in IT(SS)A 01/C/2009 contested the jurisdiction of the CIT(A) in admitting the appeal against the assessment order passed under section 143(3) r.w.s. 263. The Tribunal dismissed the revenue's contention, stating that the CIT(A) has jurisdiction to hear appeals on issues not decided by the revisional or appellate authorities. The Tribunal referenced the Bombay High Court's decision in Hardilla Chemicals Ltd Vs. CIT, affirming that the CIT(A) can adjudicate issues not attaining finality in earlier proceedings.

3. Addition of ?14,78,500/- Relating to the Cash Seized by the Department:
In the appeal IT(SS)A 210/Coch/2005, the revenue contested the deletion of ?14,78,500/- by the CIT(A). The Tribunal reinstated the addition, noting that the cash seized from Shri Anup Kumar Shah was traced back to the assessee-company through statements from Shri S.K.Jain and Shri Ashok Kumar Singh. The Tribunal held that the presumption under section 132(4A) was rebutted by the clear evidence linking the cash to the assessee.

4. Addition Pertaining to the Unaccounted Payments Claimed to Have Been Paid to the Officials of NHAI:
The Tribunal also addressed the deletion of ?30,25,850/- related to unaccounted payments to NHAI officials. The CIT(A) had deleted the addition due to lack of confrontation with the officials. However, the Tribunal reinstated the addition, emphasizing the presumption under section 132(4A) and the assessee's failure to rebut it. The amounts noted in the seized materials were reasonably presumed to be in lakhs, considering the context and the assessee's business operations.

5. Addition of ?57.50 Lakhs as Illegal Payments Made to the Officials of NHAI:
In the assessee's appeal IT(SS)A 57/C/2008, the Tribunal upheld the addition of ?57.50 lakhs for illegal payments to NHAI officials. The Tribunal referenced its earlier discussion on similar issues, affirming that the addition was justified based on seized materials and the presumption under section 132(4A).

6. Addition of ?12.50 Lakhs for Payments Not Accounted in the Books:
The Tribunal also upheld the addition of ?12.50 lakhs. The AO found that the vouchers for ?40.50 lakhs were not accounted for, and ?12.50 lakhs were not reflected in the Joint Venture's books. The CIT(A) confirmed this after verifying bank statements and records. The Tribunal found no reason to interfere with the CIT(A)'s decision, as the assessee failed to provide contradictory evidence.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal allowed the revenue's appeal in IT(SS)A 210/C/2005, reinstating the additions of ?14,78,500/- and ?30,25,850/-. The revenue's appeal in IT(SS)A 01/C/2009 was dismissed, affirming the CIT(A)'s jurisdiction. Both appeals of the assessee were dismissed, upholding the additions of ?57.50 lakhs and ?12.50 lakhs. The judgment was pronounced on 08-06-2012.

 

 

 

 

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