2015 (10) TMI 463 - AT - Income Tax

Tribunal Decision Upheld: Penalty Deleted in Income Tax Case

ITO, Ward-6 (3), Surat Versus M/s. Priyanka Gems

The High Court upheld the Tribunal's decision to delete the penalty imposed under section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. The Court found that the ... Penalty levied u/s.271(1)(c) - value of 485.26 carats of diamonds found and seized during the course of search on the mini-bus belonging to M/s. Patel Ambalal Hargovandas & Co., Angadia's in Mumbai - CIT(A) deleted the penalty - Held that:- The Assessee produced complete stock register and supporting documents in this regard and not only this, assessee was able to establish the correlation of diamonds seized in the course of search with the purchases made in the year relevant to assessment year 2003-04 and the return of income for assessment year 2003-04 was filed much before the date of search and in the audited financial statements of the years ended on 31-03-2003, 31-03-2004, 31-03-2005 and closing stock shown by assessee includes the stock seized. We further find that the valuation shown by assessee in accounts in respect of seized diamonds is ₹ 67,66,360/- which is almost at par with the valuation made by Department at ₹ 67,93,643/-. The opening stock and closing stock for the year 2003-04 was the same as there was no purchase and sale during the year at Mumbai office. There was only purchase and sale at Surat office. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the view that there are ample evidences which prove that the diamond seized are explained and purchased from disclosed sources as these are fully disclosed in the books of accounts. Accordingly, we accept the explanation of the assessee and the orders of the lower authorities on this issue are reversed. This issue of assessee's appeal is allowed on merits - no infirmity in the deletion of penalty by learned CIT(A) and the same is hereby confirmed - Decided in favour of assessee. Issues:Appeal against deletion of penalty u/s.271(1)(c) of IT Act.Analysis:1. The appeal filed by the Revenue contested the deletion of penalty u/s.271(1)(c) of IT Act by the ld. CIT(Appeals)-IV, Surat. The Revenue challenged the penalty of Rs. 24,34,865 levied on account of undisclosed source of income.2. The impugned addition, on which the penalty was based, had already been deleted by ITAT 'A' Bench Ahmedabad in a related case. The CIT(A) noted this fact while deleting the penalty, emphasizing that once the quantum appeal had been decided in favor of the appellant, no penalty could be sustained.3. The Hon'ble ITAT examined the case records and relevant evidence. It was established that the ownership of the diamonds, which were the subject of the penalty, belonged to the assessee. Various details, including the movement of goods from Mumbai to Surat, employment details of individuals involved, export invoices, and stock registers, were considered to prove the legitimacy of the seized diamonds.4. The Revenue challenged the deletion of the penalty before the High Court, questioning the Tribunal's decision. However, the High Court upheld the Tribunal's findings, stating that the issue revolved around the appreciation of evidence. The Tribunal's conclusion, based on factual evidence and consistency in declarations and valuations, was deemed valid, leading to the dismissal of the Revenue's appeal.5. Consequently, the ITAT upheld the deletion of the penalty by the CIT(A), finding no merit in the Revenue's argument. The Tribunal confirmed the decision to dismiss the Revenue's appeal, thereby concluding the case in favor of the appellant.