CIT cannot summarily dismiss Appeal for Non-Prosecution

Vishnu Kumar Sinha (HUF) Vs ACIT (ITAT Raipur) In this case CIT(Appeals) had disposed off the appeal for non-prosecution and had failed to apply his mind to the issue which did arise from the impugned order and has been assailed by the assessee before him. We are unable to persuade ourselves to accept the manner in which the appeal of the assessee has been disposed off by the CIT(Appeals). In our considered view, once an appeal is preferred before the CIT(Appeals), it becomes obligatory on his part to dispose off the same on merit and it is not open for him to summarily dismiss the appeal on a...