The AT dismissed the appeal and confirmed the attachment order...

The AT dismissed the appeal and confirmed the attachment order made under s.24(4)(a)(i) of the Benami Transactions law, holding the statute applicable to the 2012 transaction notwithstanding the 2016 amendment. The Appellant failed to demonstrate lawful sources for sudden cash accumulation used to purchase the auctioned plot, including cash deposits and a demand draft funded by cash, and had not filed income/wealth tax returns. The AT found the Appellant offered no cogent, corroborated explanation or evidence before the Adjudicating Authority, and agreed the beneficial owner remained unidentified; consequently the attachment was properly sustained and the Reference allowed, warranting dismissal of the appeal.

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