Court dismisses income tax appeal, rules Section 144 not required post-revised return. Upholds ITAT decision on tendu leaves consumption.

The court dismissed the income tax appeal, ruling that the procedure under Section 144 was not necessary post-revised return and notice of proceedings. The appellant's challenges to additions based on biri leaves consumption and application of legal procedures were deemed unwarranted, leading to the appeal's dismissal. The court upheld the ITAT's decision to add Rs.1 lac due to irregular tendu leaves consumption under Section 145, despite partially allowing the appeal on excess tobacco consumption.

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Issues:
Income tax appeal under Section 260-A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 relating to assessment year 1983-84. Allegation of required procedure under Section 145 for best judgment assessment and addition of Rs.1 lac to gross turnover of 'bidi' manufactured out of 'tendu' leaves.

Analysis:
The appellant raised two questions of law in the appeal. The first question pertained to the addition of Rs.1,00,000 on account of excess consumption of biri leaves, arguing that it was based on imagination and surmises, contrary to ITAT findings, and not legally justified. The second question challenged the inferences drawn by the ITAT regarding the applicability of Section 145 to the case, the manufacturing of a larger number of biris due to high consumption of biri leaves, and the alleged undisclosed profit, claiming these inferences were based on conjectures and surmises without evidence.

Upon reviewing the assessment, appellate orders, and ITAT judgment, it was noted that the original assessment order was set aside by CIT (A), and a revised return declared a higher total income. The ITAT allowed the assessee's contention on excess consumption of tobacco but directed to disallow costs of excess consumption of other raw materials. The CIT (A) partially allowed the appeal, emphasizing the variability in biri leaves consumption due to quality and size, leading to the deletion of additions on excess consumption of biri leaves. However, the ITAT added Rs.1 lac due to the absence of uniform consumption of tendu leaves, applying Section 145.

The court concluded that the procedure under Section 144 was not required to be followed post-revised return and notice of proceedings, especially when the appellant participated in the appeal regarding the consumption of biri leaves. It was held that the questions of law raised did not warrant consideration, leading to the dismissal of the income tax appeal.

In summary, the judgment addressed the issues of best judgment assessment under Section 145, challenges to additions based on consumption of biri leaves, and the application of legal procedures in the appeal process, ultimately resulting in the dismissal of the income tax appeal.

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