ITAT Upholds Addition for Property Investment Due to Insufficient Evidence Linking Withdrawals to Transaction

Kavita Samtani Vs DCIT (ITAT Jaipur)

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in Jaipur recently issued a ruling in the appeal filed by Smt. Kavita Samtani against the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] for the assessment year 2016-17. This case underscores the issues surrounding undisclosed income and investments, as well as the handling of evidentiary documents discovered during search operations under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Background and Key Findings

Smt. Kavita Samtani, the appellant, had her initial return assessed at Rs. 214,800, which was later revised under Section 153A of the Income Tax Act. Her residence, along with her husband’s business premises, were subject to a search and seizure operation on March 29, 2018. The investigation led to two main additions in her income assessment totaling Rs. 12,74,600, which was challenged in this appeal.

Details of the Investigation

During the search at her residence in Bhilwara, documents related to financial transactions, property purchases, and business dealings were seized. Notably, these included ledger accounts from M/s Mohan Broker Agency and M/s Hari Om Agency, which were analyzed as part of the investigation.

1. Addition of Rs. 54,000 in M/s Mohan Broker Agency’s Ledger

Documents seized during the search included ledger accounts related to M/s Mohan Broker Agency, where an entry for a credit of Rs. 54,000 was observed. Although the appellant argued that the agency was managed by her husband, Mr. Deepak Samtani, and that she had no connection to the business transactions, the Assessing Officer (AO) found that the credited sum of Rs. 54,000 could not be explained. Consequently, the AO classified this as an undisclosed investment under Section 69 of the Income Tax Act.

2. Investment in Agricultural Land for Rs. 12,20,600

The investigation also revealed that the appellant had purchased agricultural land in Suwana for Rs. 11,51,000. Official records indicated a Stamp Duty Land Tax (DLC) value of Rs. 12,00,000, with additional expenses bringing the total to Rs. 12,20,600. The AO noted that the entire payment had been made in cash to the sellers, and that no mention of this investment was made in the appellant’s income tax return, nor was there any disclosed source of the funds used for the purchase. Based on these observations, an addition of Rs. 12,20,600 was made to the appellant’s income.

Arguments by the Appellant

The appellant challenged the AO’s findings, asserting that the sum of Rs. 54,000 was a repayment of a loan to M/s Mohan Broker Agency, settled through account payee cheques on two separate dates. Supporting bank statements and ledger entries were provided to corroborate this claim.

For the investment in agricultural land, the appellant contended that she had received financial assistance of Rs. 11,40,000 from her mother-in-law, Smt. Yashoda Devi, the proprietor of M/s Hari Om Agency. Documentary evidence, including a passbook and balance sheet, was submitted to show that Smt. Yashoda Devi had withdrawn Rs. 6,00,000 and Rs. 5,40,000 as loans from Dena Bank in 2016 to assist with the purchase.

CIT(A)’s Observations

The CIT(A) dismissed the appeal, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the amount withdrawn by Smt. Yashoda Devi was transferred to the appellant. Additionally, the CIT(A) noted a discrepancy in the appellant’s claim of prior cash deposits before issuing the repayment cheque, which was deemed unexplained.

ITAT Jaipur’s Ruling

The ITAT Jaipur evaluated the evidence presented, noting that the AO did not fully consider the documents the appellant submitted to support her case. Regarding the addition of Rs. 54,000, the tribunal found that the appellant’s bank statement did not reflect any cash deposit of Rs. 24,000, as initially claimed, thus supporting her argument that the amount represented a legitimate loan repayment.

However, regarding the addition of Rs. 12,20,600 for the property investment, the ITAT concurred with the CIT(A) that there was no sufficient linkage between Smt. Yashoda Devi’s withdrawn amount and the actual cash handed over for the property transaction. Consequently, the ITAT upheld this addition, citing a lack of conclusive evidence.

Implications and Conclusion

This ruling from the ITAT Jaipur highlights several aspects of tax law related to undisclosed investments and income. The case illustrates the necessity for taxpayers to maintain clear and documented evidence of their transactions, particularly in cases where cash transactions or loans from family members are involved. Furthermore, the court’s decision emphasizes the importance of corroborating financial records with consistent and credible documentation.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT JAIPUR

The above captioned appeal has been filed by Smt. Kavita Samtani while challenging order passed by ld. CIT(Appeal), relating to Assessment Year 2016-17.

2. Vide impugned order, ld. CIT(Appeal) has upheld the assessment and dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee.

3. Vide impugned assessment, total income of the assessee has been assessed at Rs. 14,89,400/- by making 2 additions i.e. one of Rs. 54,000/-, and the other of Rs. 12,20,600/-, due to undisclosed investments u/s 69 of the Act, and undisclosed investment, in purchase of agriculture land.

4. Arguments heard. File Perused

5. The assessee had filed his original return of income on 04.08.2016 declaring therein total income of Rs.214800/-. Total income of Rs.214800/-was offered in the valid return of income filed on 21.09.2019 in compliance with notice u/s 153A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”,)

6. Assessee-appellant claims to be in the business of running a beauty parlour, namely, Sophiya Beauty Parlour. On 29.03.2018, a search and seizure action u/s 132 of the Act was carried out at the residential premises of the assessee and her husband Sh. Deepak Samtani, in addition to the business premises of the husband.

7. Search and seizure action was also carried out at the residential and business premises of the family members of Sh. Deepak Samtani. The search led to incriminating material including documents/loose papers/books of accounts. The incriminating material was entered into inventories and seized.

8. In the course of search at her residence at 29, Sindhu Nagar, Bhilwara and business premises of her husband Shri Deepak Samtani, seized loose papers as Annexure AS-2, Page No. 15 to 20 and AS Exhibit-6, Page No. 3 to 6 & Page No. 11 to 14 were seized.

In reply to the notice, it was submitted by the assessee that the documents Exhibit AS-6, Page No. 11 to 14 were ledger accounts of M/s Mohan Broker Agency and M/s Hariom Agency, and that the same are not related to her.

However, perusal of these documents revealed that during the F.Y. 2015-16, she had credited a sum of Rs. 54,000/- in the books of M/s Mohan Broker Agency.

9. Further, as per document Annexure AS, Exhibit-2, Page No. 15 to 20, purchase deed dated 27.03.2016, the assessee had purchased immovable property situated at Suwana for Rs. 11,51,000/-.

Assessing Officer observed that the Sub-Registrar had held that DLC value was Rs. 12 lac and further that a stamp duty of Rs. 48,000/- was levied. In addition thereto, other expenses of Rs. 21,600/-were born in regard to said plot situated at Suwana, but, the assessee had not disclosed anything in her ITR or in her reply about the source of purchase of said property for an overall consideration of Rs. 12,20,600/-.

The entire payment was stated to have been made in cash to the vendors, namely, Shri Atul Kumar Surana and Smt. Kanta Devi Sadhwani. Considering all this, Assessing Officer was of the view that the assessee had no explanation regarding the source of this investment of Rs. 12,20,600/- Accordingly, an addition u/s 69 was made to the total income of the assessee.

Further, the Assessing Officer recorded his satisfaction that the assessee had concealed her income particulars within the purview of provisions of Sec. 271AAB(1A) for A. Y. 2016-17. Notice u/s 271AAB (1A) r.w.s. 274 was accordingly directed to be issued.

10. As regards the other addition, Assessing Officer observed:

“The assessee’s A/R simply brushed aside the issue by saying that this is only related to M/s Mohan Broker Agency (a concern of her husband, Shri Deepak Samtani), but ignored this issue that she has credited a sum of Rs. 54000 /- in the said account of her husband but source of which has not been explained. Hence, considering the same as her unexplained investment u/s 69 of the L, T Act, an addition of Rs. 54000 /- is made to the total income for A.Y. 2016-17.”

Assessing Officer also observed that in view of violation of provisions of Sec. 271AAB(1A) for A. Y. 2017-18, notice u/s 271AAB (1A) r.w.s. 274 was being issued.

11. As noticed above, two additions have been made due to undisclosed investments said to have been made by the assessee.

12. In the assessment order, the Assessing Officer observed that during the search of the house of the assessee and business premises of her husband, one of the documents seized was purchase deed dated 27.03.2016, vide which a plot, situated in village Suwana, was found to have been purchased by the assessee for a sale consideration of Rs. 11,51,000/-.

The Assessing Officer observed that office of the Sub Registrar took into consideration DLC value of the plot as Rs. 12,00,000/-; that stamp duty of Rs. 48,000/- was reportedly paid for registration of the said document; and in addition thereto, a sum of Rs. 21,600/- was reportedly spent by way of other expenses for said registration.

Assessing Officer went on to observe that even though the entire sale consideration is stated to have been paid in cash to the vendors namely, Sh. Atul Kumar Surana and Smt. Kanta Devi Sadhwani. the assessee did not disclose any such thing in the ITR or even in her reply to the notice u/s 153A of the Act, she did not disclose about the source for payment of the said consideration and other expenses including stamp duty.

13. As per assessment order, Ledger Account of M/s Mohan Broker Agency and M/s Hari Om Agency, said to have been seized during the search from the aforesaid premises, revealed that during the Financial Year 2015-16, the assessee had credited a sum of Rs. 54,000/- to the account of M/s Mohan Broker Agency.

As per reply of the assessee to notice u/s 153A of the Act, she had no concern with the said ledger account and that a ledger account was related to M/s Mohan Broker Agency.

Assessing Officer observed that M/s Mohan Broker Agency was a concern of husband of the assessee and that she had failed to explain credit of sum of Rs. 54,000/-.

14. On behalf of the appellant, it has been argued that the assessee had availed of loan facility of Rs. 5,30,000/- from M/s Mohan Broker Agency and the above referred to sum of Rs. 54,000/- was repaid by her on two different dates i.e. Rs. 30,000/- on 4.8.2015 and Rs. 24,000/- on 28^th Jan, 2016 by way of Account payee cheque. In this regard, reliance has been placed on copy of the statement of account of the assessee with her bank. Reliance has also been placed on copy of statement of account of M/s Mohan Broker Agency available at pages No. 48 to 50 of the paper book.

15. Available at page No. 10 to 12 of the paper book is copy of reply dated 08.12.2019 from appellant to the ACIT, in response to notice dated 07.12.2019.

In para No. 9 of the reply, the appellant claimed to have availed of unsecured loan of Rs. 4,76,000/- from M/s Mohan Broker Agency.

As per copy of Balance Sheet (page Nos. 44 and 45 of the paper book) of M/s Mohan Broker Agency, as on 31.03.2016, Smt. Kavita Samtani availed of loan facility of Rs. 4,76,000/- on 31.03.2016.

In this situation, when the appellant brought material on record, Assessing Officer was required to consider the same, but while passing the assessment order, the Assessing Officer appears to have not considered said material placed on record by the assessee in support of her version regarding repayment of Rs. 54,000/- to M/s Mohan Broker Agency. It remains unexplained as to on what basis said addition of Rs. 54,000/- was made by the Assessing Officer.

Learned CIT(A) observed in para 5.2.6 of the impugned order that just before transfer of said cash of Rs.30,000/-and Rs.24,000/-, said amount in cash was deposited in the bank account of the appellant-assessee, for which no explanation was given by the appellant as regards source of said cash.

But as noticed above, the Assessing Officer was concerned about the source as regards a sum of Rs.54,000/-credited by her in the account of her husband. The previous cash entry of Rs.30,000/-in the account of the appellant was of 15.7.2015 and not soon before the subject transaction. Bank statement of the assessee for the period from 1.4.2015 to 31.3.2016, page 29 of the Paper Book does not reveal any entry of cash deposite of Rs.24,000/-in the said account of appellant after the abovesaid cash entry of 15.7.2015 in her account.

Having regard to all this, said addition of Rs.54,000/-deserves to be set aside. We order accordingly.

16. As regards the other addition of Rs. 12,20,600/-, ld. AR for the appellant has contended that the appellant purchased said plot situated in village Suwana with financial aid of Rs. 11,40,000/- availed of by her from her mother-in-law, Smt. Yashoda Devi, Prop. of M/s Hari Om Agency.

In this regard, Learned AR for the appellant has referred to page No. 21 of the paper book, which is copy of pass book of Smt. Yodhoda Devi, as regards her Savings Bank Account with Dena Bank, Bhilwara, to point out that Smt. Yoshoda Devi had availed of housing loan facility of Rs. 6,00,000/- and Rs. 5,40,000/- from the said bank on 29.02.2016 and 31.02.2016.

Copy of the balance sheet of M/s Hari Om Agency is available at page 39 of the paper book. As per this document, as on 31.03.2016, a sum of Rs. 56,88,560/- stands recorded by way of loan and advances. Said documents depict that a sum of Rs. 11,10,065/- was advanced to Smt. Kavita Samtani.

As per case of the appellant, abovesaid loan amount is stated to have been utilized by her in making payment of the sale consideration to Sh. Atul Kumar Surana and Smt. Kanti Devi Surana for purchase of the abovesaid immovable property.

While disposing of appeal ld. CIT(A) observed that even though Smt. Yoshada Devi had withdrawn a sum of Rs. 6,00,000/- on 29.02.2016 and Rs. 5,40,000/- on 01.03.2016 from Dena Bank, but, Smt. Yashoda Devi showed in the books of M/s Hari Om Agency transfer of these amounts from Dena Bank Home Loan Account to the assessee-appellant. He further observed that no such amount having been transferred by Smt. Yashoda Devi to the appellant, payment of cash of Rs.12,20,600/-to Atul Kumar Surana for purchase of the abovesaid property of Suwana remained unexplained. As further observed by Ld. CIT(A) in absence of any supporting evidence, it was not established that said cash withdrawn from the bank account of Smt. Yashoda Devi was advanced to the appellant.

17. Available on record is of statement of account of Smt. Kavita Samtani in the ledger of Hari Om Agency. As per said statement of account, on 29.02.2016 and 01.03.2016, a sum of Rs. 6,00,000/- and a sum of Rs. 5,40,000/-are shown to have been debited.

18. AR for the appellant has submitted that ld. CIT(A) did not correctly appreciate the entries, the reason being that the said amounts were transferred from Dena Bank account to the account of Smt. Yoshada Devi, who in turn withdraw the said amount from her bank and paid to the joint sellers, Sh. Atul Kumar Surana and Smt. Kanti Devi Surana, and as such, there was no incriminating material which can be said to be there to to make additions.

In this regard, firstly, it may be mentioned that payment of the sale consideration in cash to the vendors for purchase of immovable property was clearly in violation of provisions of the Act.

Secondly, there is no evidence from the assessee-appellant to suggest that she had received cash from her mother in law and paid the said cash amount to the vendors.

Contrary to it, the submission put forth by Learned AR for the appellant is that Smt. Yashoda Devi had withdrawn the abovesaid amount and paid the same in cash to the co-owners. This version was never put forth by the assessee at any stage of the proceedings before the Assessing Officer or before Learned CIT(A).

Thirdly, the assessee did not disclose said income in the Income tax return for the year under consideration. Same adversely affects the case of the assessee, particularly, when, admittedly, she has not been maintaining any books of accounts.

In the given situation, self serving confirmation by Smt. Yashoda Devi, mother in law of the appellant, does not come to the help of the assessee-appellant.

19. Nowever, taking into consideration income of the assessee during the Y. 2016-17 i.e. of Rs. 3,66,224.00 – Rs. 54,000.00 paid to Mohan Broker Agency during said year, we restrict the addition to Rs. 9,08,376 (i.e. Rs. 12,20,600.00 – Rs. 3,12,224.00, source of which she failed to establish, despite reasonable opportunity, before the Assessing Officer and before Ld. CIT(A).

Additional Grounds

20. First additional ground raised on behalf of the assessee-appellant is that the impugned assessment order is a nullity as no DIN Number was generated as regards the assessment order, as prescribed by CBDT in its instructions issued to the Income Tax Authorities, which they are required to follow, but were not followed, and as such, impugned assessment order deserves to be set aside.

21. In support of this contention, ld. AR has referred to in the written submissions to the following decisions:-

• Smt. Smrutishuda Nayak vs. UOI (2021) 323 CTR 617 (Ori.)
• CIT vs. Kabul Chawla (2015) 281 CTR (Del)45
• CIT vs. Chetan Das Lachman Das (2012) 254 CTR (Del) 392
• Hau /steek (India) vs. Asstt. CIT (2013) 259 CTR (Raj.) 281.
• Chintels India Ltd. vs. DY. CIT (2017) 297 CTR (Del) 574
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical Foundation vs. ACIT, ITA No. 959-967/PN/10 dated 28.04.2021.
• CIT vs. Kabul Chawla (2015) (2016) 380 ITR 573 (Del)
• Jai Steel (India) vs. Asstt. CIT (2013) 259 CTR (raj) 281.
• PCIT Abhisar Builders (2023 332 CTR (SC) 385.

22. On the other hand, Ld. DR for the Revenue has submitted that the matter as regards impact of non mentioning of DIN number, as per instructions issued by CBDT is pending adjudication before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and as such, there is no merit in the contention on behalf of the assessee-appellant.

23. The said instructions were issued vide Circular No. 19/2019 dated 14.08.2019.

24. As regards the decisions cited, it may also be mentioned that Ld. AR has not provided full text of any of the above said decisions. Only certain portions of some of the decisions have been extracted in the written submissions.

As regards, three decisions mentioned in para 2.5 of the written submissions, what to say of providing of Full text thereof, even no portion or relevant paragraph thereof has been reproduced or extracted in the written submissions.

25. Admittedly, the point in issue is sub judice before Hon’ble Supreme Court of India after a decision by Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of CIT vs. Brandix mauritious holding limited, ITA No. 163/2023, decided on 20.03.2023.

26. Record reveals that while challenging the impugned assessment order before Learned CIT(A), no such ground/objection on behalf of the assessee-appellant was raised.

Even though this is a legal ground and can be raised before the Appellate Tribunal, it was for the assessee-appellant to prove to the satisfaction of this Tribunal if any prejudice has been caused to the assessee-appellant due to non mentioning of DIN number.

Instructions issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes are meant for compliance by the Income Tax Authorities. When the instructions were issued that such communications without DIN number shall be treated as ‘non-est’, and shall be deemed to have never been issued, can safely be said to have been issued to ensure and lay emphasis on their compliance by the Income tax authorities, without fail.

It is not the allegation of the appellant that no assessment proceedings were conducted by the Assessing Officer or that the impugned assessment order is a made up or forged and fabricated document.

In absence of any such plea or material to suggest that any prejudice was caused to the assessee-appellant, we do not find any merit in the contention raised on behalf of the assessee-appellant that because of non mentioning of DIN number. in the impugned assessment order, the same deserves to be set aside.

Impugned assessment order not digitally signed-its impact

27. Another additional ground raised by Ld. AR for the appellant is that the impugned assessment order has been manually signed, and since same has not been digitally signed as required u/s 282 A of the Act and as per Instruction No. 6 dated 03.10.2017 issued by CBDT, the impugned assessment order deserves to be set aside.

28. In support of this contention Ld. AR of the assessee-appellant relied on following decisions:-

• Aravali Trading Co. Vs. ITO 8 DTR 199 (Raj.)
• Labhchand Bohra vs. ITO (2008) 8 DTR 44 (Raj.)
• Kanhaialal Jangid vs. ACIT (2008) 8 DTR 38 (Raj.)
• CIT vs. Jai Kumar Bakliwal (2014) 101 DTR 377 (Raj.)
• CIT vs. Shree Barkha Synthetics 182 CTR 175 (Raj.)
• CIT vs. Orissa Credit Corp. Ltd. 159 ITR 78 (SC).
• Sarogi Credit Corp. Vs. CIT 103 ITR 344 (Patna.
• ACIT vs. India Tyre House 72 TTJ 316 (Gau)
• CIT vs. Heerala Chaganlal 257 ITR 281 (Raj).
• CIT vs. Ajay Kumar Sharma 259 ITR 240 (Raj.).
• Jhalani Timbers vs. CIT (1997) 223 ITR 11 (Gau)

29. On the other hand, Ld. DR for the Revenue has submitted that no such ground was raised in the appeal before Learned CIT(A), and that the impugned assessment order, even if manually signed by the Assessing Officer, cannot be discarded from being taken into consideration.

30. It may be mentioned here that full text of the abovesaid decisions cited by Ld. AR of the appellant has not been provided. Only portion from the said decisions have been incorporated in the written submissions.

31. Copy of the assessment order made part of the appeal filed by the assessee-appellant is a photocopy of the copy supplied to the assessee. It purports to bear signatures of DCIT, Central Circle, Ajmer-Assessing Officer. The original assessment order is stated to forming part of the original record pertaining to assessment proceedings. Exact copy of the said original order has not been made available. In absence thereof, it is difficult to say if this is a case of any violation of the provisions of section 282A of the Act.

In the written submissions reference has been made to instruction N0.6 dt. 3.10.2017, requiring the Income tax authorities to digitally sign the assessment order, demand notice and computation sheet etc.

Instruction No.1/18 dated 12.2.2018 issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes has also been relied on in the written submissions to submit that all departmental orders/notices/communications issued to the assessee through ‘e-proceedings’ are to be digitally signed by the Assessing Officer.

As already noticed above, instructions issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes are meant for compliance by the Income Tax Authorities. Same can safely be said to have been issued to ensure compliance and lay emphasis on their compliance by the Income tax authorities, without fail.

It is not the allegation of the appellant that no assessment proceedings were conducted by the Assessing Officer or that the impugned assessment order is a made up or forged and fabricated document.

Ld. AR for the appellant has not been able to satisfy if any prejudice was caused to the assessee-appellant for want of digital signatures on the impugned assessment order. Accordingly, we do not find any merit in the contention raised on behalf of the appellant.

Prior approval u/s 153D of the Act, whether the same was granted mechanically?

32. AR for the appellant has contended that the impugned assessment order is nullity, being without jurisdiction, in as much as no prior approval as mandated by section 153D of the Act was obtained.

At the same time, it has been contended that no approval u/s 153D of the Act was obtained from the specified authorities.

Furthermore, it has even been contended that if the said approval was obtained, same was accorded mechanically without application of mind.

Accordingly, Ld. AR for the appellant has urged that the impugned assessment order deserves to be set aside.

33. On the other hand, Ld. DR for the Department has referred to the approval dated 31.12.2019 accorded by Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Range, Udaipur and contended that the same having been accorded in accordance with law, there is no merit in the contention raised by ld. AR for the appellant.

34. Significant to note that after having raised abovesaid inconsistent grounds as regards the approval, in the common paper book-II dated 29.08.2024 presented on behalf of the assessee-appellant on 17.09.2024, the very first document made available at page No. 23 (as assigned by the Ld. AR for the appellant), is the copy of approval u/s 153D of the Act, accorded by Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Range, Udaipur, vide its letter dated 31.12.2019.

The impugned assessment order is dated 30.12.2019.

It is available from the abovesaid letter dated 31.12.2019 that on receipt of letter dated 30.12.2019 from the office of DCIT, Central Circle, forwarding therewith draft assessment orders, mentioned therein, for approval u/s 153D of the Act, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax went through the contents of draft assessment orders and accorded approval u/s 153D of the Act.

35. In view of the said document submitted by the appellant , there is no merit in the contention raised on behalf of the assessee-appellant.

36. No other argument has been advanced before this Appellate Tribunal.

Result

37. In view of the above discussion, this appeal is partly allowed, in the manner indicated above.

File be consigned to the record room after the needful is done by the office.

Order pronounced in the open court on 23/10/2024.