ITAT's dismissal of appeals due to non-appearance deemed unjustified; Rule 24 mandates decisions on merits.

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....Whether the Tribunal was justified in dismissing the proceedings in limine - Substantial question is answered by holding that in view of language used in Rule 24, the ITAT was not justified in dismissing the appeals for absence of assessee in limine and it ought to have decided the appeals on merits even if the appellant or his representative was not present when the appeals were taken up for hearing. - HC....