2023 (12) TMI 327 - AT - Income Tax

Seized loan documents must satisfy Section 68 requirements despite presumption under Section 132(4A)/292C

Shri S.K. Gupta Versus The A.C.I.T Circle – 17, Delhi

Shri S.K. Gupta Versus The A.C.I.T Circle – 17, Delhi - TMI Issues Involved:1. Validity of assessment notices.2. Allocation of income among family members.3. Addition on account of undisclosed loans and advances.4. Addition on account of undisclosed interest income.5. Addition on account of investment in jewelry.6. Addition on account of undisclosed investment.7. Charging of interest under section 234A.Summary:1. Validity of Assessment Notices:The assessee contended that the assessment notices issued were invalid. However, the Tribunal upheld the validity of the assessment based on the first notice, treating the issuance of the second notice as a clerical mistake covered under section 292B of the Act. The Tribunal found no defect in the first notice and dismissed the legal ground of the assessee.2. Allocation of Income Among Family Members:The Tribunal agreed with the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] that the income arising from the assets could not be exclusively attributed to the deceased Shri Suraj Bhan Gupta. The income was allocated between Shri S.K. Gupta and Shri V.K. Gupta in the ratio of 60:40, as they were the key players after the death of Shri Suraj Bhan Gupta. The Tribunal dismissed the assessee's contention that the entire income should be assessed in the hands of late Shri Suraj Bhan Gupta.3. Addition on Account of Undisclosed Loans and Advances:The Assessing Officer (AO) made an addition of Rs. 4,13,70,000/- for loans and advances given outside the books of accounts. The CIT(A) allowed the benefit of rotation of loans and advances from earlier years but upheld the addition of Rs. 85 lakhs for loans received by the assessee, which could not be substantiated. The Tribunal upheld the findings of the CIT(A) and dismissed the assessee's appeal on this ground.4. Addition on Account of Undisclosed Interest Income:The AO added Rs. 6,14,57,988/- as undisclosed interest income. The CIT(A) deleted the addition of Rs. 4,08,36,333/- based on the Tribunal's findings in earlier years, which allowed the benefit of rotation of loans and advances. The CIT(A) also allowed the deduction of interest payments and bad debts. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision and directed the AO to allocate the balance interest income in the ratio of 60:40 between the assessee and his brother.5. Addition on Account of Investment in Jewelry:The AO made an addition of Rs. 1,07,11,921/- for investment in jewelry. The CIT(A) found that the jewelry purchased was only to the tune of Rs. 67 lakhs, which was duly reflected in the Day Book. The Tribunal agreed with the CIT(A) that the source of investment was explained and dismissed the Revenue's appeal on this ground.6. Addition on Account of Undisclosed Investment:The AO added Rs. 1,79,91,000/- for undisclosed investment based on seized documents. The CIT(A) found that the property belonged to M/s Standard Enterprises, a partnership firm, and the sale deed was executed in A.Y 2008-09. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s decision, finding no factual error in the findings.7. Charging of Interest under Section 234A:The CIT(A) directed that interest under section 234A should not be charged for the period up to which the assessee was not provided a copy of the seized material. The Tribunal upheld this decision, following the precedent set by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Anum M.H. Ghaswala vs. CIT.Conclusion:The appeals of the assessees were partly allowed for statistical purposes, while the appeals of the Revenue were dismissed. The Tribunal upheld the CIT(A)'s findings on various additions and the allocation of income among family members, and directed the AO to recompute the interest income and allow deductions for interest payments and bad debts.