Section 153C Assessment invalid if satisfaction note was not recorded

Sanjay Thakur Vs DCIT (ITAT Delhi)

It is not in dispute that a search was conducted in the bank premises of HDFC Bank, Ambedkar Road, Ghaziabad, in the case of Bank A/c No.xxx2277 of M/s. A.K Traders. No incriminating material was found during the course of search against the assessee. The satisfaction note have been recorded in the case of assessee on 18.09.2012 under section 153C of the I.T. Act for A.Ys. 2005-2006 to 2010-2011. Assessment Year under appeal 2011-2012 was considered to be the year of the search. However, the 1st proviso to Section 153C of the I.T. Act provides that six assessment years for which assessments or re-assessments could be made under section 153C of the I.T. Act, would also have to be construed with reference to the date of handing-over of the assets or documents to the A.O. of the assessee. Since, satisfaction note have been recorded on 18.09.2012, therefore, the six assessment years under section 153C of I.T. Act in the case of assessee would be A.Ys. 2007-2008 to 2012­2013. The A.O, therefore, shall have to pass the assessment order under section 153C of the I.T. Act. However, A.O. has not issued any notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act before initiating the proceedings against the assessee which is also admitted by the authorities below in the impugned Orders. The Amendment in Section 153C of the I.T. Act by the Finance Act, 2017, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to the effect that block period for the person in respect of whom the search was conducted as well as the “other person” would be the same six assessment years immediately preceding the year of search is prospective in nature. An identical issue have been considered by ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra) in the light of decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in in another decision of the Tribunal. The A.O, therefore, should have framed the assessment under section 153C of the I.T. Act in the case of the assessee and at the time of initiating the proceeding against the assessee, should have issued notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act which have not been done in this case. No satisfaction note have been recorded under section 153C of the I.T. Act for the assessment year under appeal. No assessment under section 153C have been framed.

Further, no notice under section 153C have been issued and no incriminating material was found against the assessee for the assessment year under appeal. The above conditions of Section 153C are mandatory for taking action against the assessee under section 153C of the I.T. Act.

The assessment order passed by the A.O. under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act, therefore, vitiated, void, illegal and bad in law and cannot be sustained. Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that the issue is covered by above Order of the ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra). We, accordingly, set aside the orders of the authorities below and quash the Orders of the authorities below and quash the Orders of the authorities below and allow the additional grounds of appeal. Resultantly, all additions stands deleted. Since the assessment order is set aside on legal grounds, therefore, there is no need to decide the addition on merit which has been left with academic discussion only.

FULL TEXT OF THE ITAT JUDGEMENT

This appeal by Assessee has been directed against the Order of the Ld. CIT(A), Ghaziabad, Dated 31.03.2015, for the A.Y. 2011-2012.

2. Brief facts of the case are that a search under section 132 was conducted in the case of Shri Pankaj Sharma and Shri Ajay Sharma. It was informed that cash was going to be withdrawn from A/c No.xxx2277 of M/s. A.K Traders with HDFC Bank, Ambedkar Road, Ghaziabad, source of which is not explained in the hands of Shri Ajay Sharma, the proprietor of M/s. A.K. Traders. When the team visited the Bank premises it was found that an amount of Rs.2.78 crores was already got transferred to A/c No.xxx16097 with Punjab National Bank, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad standing in the name of M/s. Tushar Building Material Supplier, Gautam Budh Nagar. Bank authorities were requested to put balance of Rs.1,78,35,905/- standing to credit in A/c No.xxxx2277 of M/s. A.K Traders under restraint. Meanwhile, the team immediately visited Punjab National Bank and it was found that by that time the entire amount of Rs.2.78 crores had been withdrawn in cash. The bank premises of HDFC Bank, Ambedkar Road, Ghaziabad in the case of bank A/c No. xxxx2277 of M/s. A.K Traders was searched on 11.10.2010 and balance standing to credit was seized. During examination Shri Ajay Sharma stated that he does not know about the source of amounts credited to above account and destination of the amounts debited as the entire affairs were being looked after by Shri Pankaj Sharma, his brother-in-law whose office address is 12, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad. Accordingly, survey under section 133A of the I.T. Act was conducted at 12, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad and Shop No. 3, Harish Chand Ka Bagh, Chhaparaula Police Chowki, Near Dharamkanta, Gautam Budh Nagar. The premises 12, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad was found to be office of Shri Manoj Kumar Jain, proprietor of M/s. Rishav Trading Co. and no business activities were found to be carried on at the premises. Subsequently, on 13.10.2010, current residence, Flat No. 306, Plot No. 3/4, Madhavkunj, Sector-2, Rajendra Nagar, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad of Shri Ajay Sharma, the proprietor was also covered under search. During examination under section 132(4) on 13.10.2010 Shri Pankaj Sharma stated that he was engaged in providing accommodation entries in the garb of supply of steel and building material in the name of various concerns and M/s. A.K. Traders is one of them. Shri Ajay Sharma is an unemployed youth. The A/c No.xxxx2277 was opened with HDFC Bank, Ambedkar Road, Ghaziablad on 21.08.2009 by him in the name of M/s. A.K. Traders on being asked by his brother-in-law Shri Pankaj Sharma from whom he was getting salary of Rs.8,000/- per month. All the papers relating to operation of bank account and financial transactions therein are admitted to have been signed by him in advance on being asked by Shri Pankaj Sharma. The amounts in the said account have been credited by transfer through RTGS or otherwise and most of the amounts have been withdrawn in cash or have been transferred to bank accounts of other concerns and ultimately the cash has been withdrawn from those accounts. The concerns to which the amounts have been transferred or the amounts have been received by transfer are 10 in number mentioned at page-2 of the assessment order which includes two proprietary concerns of the assessee. During search proceedings at the residence of Shri Pankaj Sharma at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Shri Pankaj Sharma was examined on oath and he admitted that he was engaged in providing accommodation entries and was earning Rs.15,000/- per month from this work. He had asked his brother-in-law Shri Ajay Sharma to form a concern in the name of M/s. A.K. Traders and have its account opened in HDFC Bank for facilitating the work of accommodation entries. He also approached the assessee and used his two proprietary concerns namely M/s. Tushar Building Material Supplier and M/s. Sigma Sales Corporation where from he started to provide accommodation entries. The amounts were got transferred to the bank accounts of concerns from where the accommodation entry was to be provided and the amounts were paid back either by withdrawing from the same account or by transfer to bank accounts of other concerns and thereafter withdrawals from those accounts. Shri Pankaj Sharma admitted that bogus bills of steel/building material have been issued in favour of the beneficiaries of accommodation entries.

2.1.  A Survey under section 133A was carried out at the given address of M/s. Tushar Building Material Supplier but no business activities were found. The assessee was examined on oath 28.10.2010. He informed that he was carrying on door-to-door marketing of Aloe Vera Gel and was earning Rs.7000/- to Rs.8,000/-per month. On being asked he stated that he was being paid Rs.5,000/- per month by Shri Pankaj Sharma for using his concerns. He clarified that he was asked by Mr. Pankaj Sharma to allow him providing accommodation entries from the bank account of his concerns. He accordingly, handed over pre-signed cheque book of his concerns to Mr. Pankaj Sharma. He is not aware of any business activity being carried on in the name of that concern. The assessee as regards the amount of Rs.2.78 crores stated that it was transferred through RTGS to the proprietary concern belonging to him which have been withdrawn either by Shri Pankaj Sharma or by any of his persons as he had already handed-over pre-signed cheque book which have been used for withdrawing the above amounts.

2.2. Surveys under section 133A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 were also carried out on 10.10.2010 at the office of Shri Manoj Kumar Jain Proprietor of M/s. Rishav Trading Co. and Pankaj Sharma, 12, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad and at the address of M/s. Tushar Building Material Supplier, Ghaziabad, proprietary concern of the assessee on 12.10.2010. No books of account and documents have been found from the premises of M/s. Rishav Trading Co., 12, Navyug Market, Ghaziabad. The A.O, therefore, noted that above would transpires that Shri Pankaj Sharma and Shri Ajay Sharma along with Shri Manoj Kumar Jain, Sanjay Thakur, Pushkar Tyagi, Amit Bansal and Vishnu Bhagwan were carrying on the business of providing accommodation entries to several business houses by getting amount transferred through their accounts by RTGS or cheque and later on withdrawing the amount from the same accounts. The list of beneficiaries and the name of the firms who had given accommodation entries is mentioned at pages 5 to 13 of the assessment order. The A.O. also noted that all these are sham transactions. The assessee has not carried-out any business activity and have merely providing accommodation entries for the purpose of earning Commission. The assessees have claimed a percentage of 0.01% as commission i.e. Rs.10,000/-per crore. The A.O, therefore, noted that on the basis of search and seizure operation and enquiries it is established that assessee is engaged in the business of providing accommodation entries. Notice under section 153C was issued for the A.Y..2005-06 to 2010-11 on 18.09.2012 & notice under section 142(1) was issued for assessment year 2011-12 under appeal on 18.09.2012 for filing of return of income. The assessee has filed return of income for the year under appeal on 17.01.2013 and shown income of Rs.1,53,450/- from business and income from salary. The A.O. on the basis of these material computed commission income of assessee at 3% of the total amount/ gross deposits. The gross deposits were found in a sum of Rs.17.14 crores and by applying 3%, A.O. made addition of Rs.51,43,833/-. The A.O. also considered the unexplained deposit in the bank account of assessee of Rs.17.14 crores which was added on protective basis. The assessment was completed on an income of Rs.17.67 crores vide Order dated 31.03.2013 under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act, 1961.

3. The assessee challenged the initiation and Completion of assessment proceedings under section 153C of the I.T. Act and the above additions before the Ld. CIT(A). The written submissions of the assessee was forwarded to the A.O. for his comments. The Ld. CIT(A) after considering the written submissions of assessee and material on record decided various issues in the appeal of assessee and dismissed the same. The assessee as regards the validity of issuance of notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act had submitted before Ld. CIT(A) that no material belonging to assessee was found during the course of search. Therefore, proceedings under section 153C are invalid and bad in law. The A.O. in the remand report submitted before Ld. CIT(A) that A.O. recorded satisfaction under section 153C on 18.09.2012 for A.Ys. 2005­2006 to 2010-2011 and for A.Y. 2011-2012 under appeal, A.O. issued notice under section 142(1) of the I.T. Act. The Ld. CIT(A), therefore, noted that the present assessment is not under section 153C, but under section 143(3), therefore, this issue does not arise and proceeding have been rightly initiated under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act. The other point raised in the appeal before Ld. CIT(A) as well as on merit have been rejected by the Ld. CIT(A).

4. The assessee in the present appeal has challenged the validity of the impugned assessment order as well as both the above additions on merit. The assessee also filed an application for admission of the following additional grounds of appeal.

“That assessment framed under section 143(3) for the period under consideration (A.Y. 2011-12) which falls in Six years block prescribed under section153C, is invalid, void-ab-initio and lacks jurisdiction as it would have been framed under section153C, accordingly the orders passed AO and First Appellate Authority deserves to be quashed. ”

“That assessment framed under section143(3) for the period under consideration is ultra vires to section 153C, in as much as the no document is referred in satisfaction note, much less incriminating document, much less belonging to assesseee herein , much less seized during search action under section132 much less for the subject period, so as to give rise to any undisclosed income and therefore satisfaction note is completely inchoate and non starter and therefore orders passed by AO and First Appellate Authority deserves to be quashed. .

“That impugned assessment framed under section143(3) on basis of notice under section143(2) dated 21/01/2013 is invalid and void ab initio being made on basis of non-est return filed under section153A/153C on 17/01/2013 as no return was there under section139/142filed on 17/01/2013 to validly issue notice under section143(2 ] ”

5. Learned Counsel for the Assessee submitted that no search under section 132 was conducted on assessee. Search was conducted under section 132 on 11.10.2010 at A.K. Traders on HDFC Bank, Ghaziabad. Proceedings under section 153C were initiated against the assessee for A.Ys. 2005-06 to AY 2010-2011 and action under section 142(1) have been taken for A.Y. under appeal i.e., 2011-2012 and assessment have been framed under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act. These facts affirmed by the authorities below in the impugned orders. He has filed copy of the satisfaction note recorded by the A.O. under section 153C on 18.09.2012 in the case of the assessee, copy of which is filed at page 10 of the PB. He has also filed copy of the order sheet of the A.O. at page-3 of the paper book to show that no notice under section 153C have been issued in the case of the assessee for assessment year under appeal. He has submitted that there is no reference of any incriminating material in the satisfaction note dated 18.09.2012. He has submitted that the present assessment for A.Y. 2011-2012 was required to be framed under section 153C as the period prescribed in proviso to Section 153C which is to be calculated from date of recording of the satisfaction note and not from the date of search under section 132 as is settled by various Hon’ble High Courts decisions mainly RRJ Securities 380 ITR 612 and Sarwar Agency 397 ITR 400. The prescription of law under section 153C in turn required issuance of notice under section 153C for present period, recording of satisfaction by AO of raided person in his assessment, on the basis of incriminating seized material qua subject period which is patently missing as admitted by AO/CIT-A in the impugned orders, without which entire exercise is a nullity. He has also referred the decision of Hon’ble Apex court in the case of Singhad Technical Education Society 397 ITR 344 and decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of N.S. Software 403 ITR 259. Since date of recording of satisfaction note is dated 18.09.2012 falling in FY 2012-2013 and AY 2013-2104 and six assessment years counted as per prescription of section 153C(1) would be A.Ys. 2007- 08 to AY 2012-2013 whereas the satisfaction note refers AY 2005-06 to AY 2010-2011, which shows the inherent debility in the proceedings and the present assessment under section 143(3) is framed which should have been done under section 153C of the Act. He has submitted that it is a legal issue which goes to the legality of the assessment and no additional facts shall have to be considered. He has submitted that the issue is covered in favour of the assessee by the Order of ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad in ITA.Nos.504 & 503/Del./2015, Dated 27.06.2018. He has, therefore, submitted that since no notice under section 153C have been issued in the case of the assessee for the block period as well, no assessment has been framed under section 153C of the I.T. Act, further, no incriminating material was found for assessment year under appeal during the course of search, therefore, assessment order framed under section 143(3) is nullity and bad in law and requires to be quashed.

6. On the other hand, Ld. D.R. relied upon the Orders of the authorities below and submitted that since the appellate order under appeal 2011-2012 is not related to the search assessment and no notice under section 153C have been issued, therefore, assessment under section 143(3) have been rightly framed.

7. We have considered the rival submissions, perused the material on record and findings of the authorities below. An identical issue have been considered by ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad in ITA.Nos.504 & 503/Del./2015, Dated 27.06.2018, in which the identical additional ground was considered in the light of Judgment of Hon’ble Delhi High Court and others and additional ground of appeal have been allowed deleting the entire additions on merit. The findings of the Order of the Tribunal dated 27.06.2018 from paras 2 to 10 are reproduced as under :

“ITA.No.504/Del./2015 – M/s. BNB Investments & Properties Ltd., A.Y. 2012-2013 :

2. Briefly, the facts of the case are that in this case, a search and seizure operation was conducted on M/s Krrish Group of cases on 09.11.2011. A survey under section133A of the Act was also carried out on the business premises of the assessee. Assessee earned income from business and other sources. The assessee filed its original return declaring total income of Rs.2,08,95,242/- on 28.09.2012. In response to notice under section 153A(1) (a] r.w.s 153C, assessee filed revised return declaring total income of Rs. 2,22,43,593/-. Assessment was framed at Rs. 5,22,43,593/- by making addition of Rs.3 crores as surrendered amount not incorporated in the return of income. Assessee challenged the validity of the assessment proceedings as well as addition on merit before the Ld. CIT(A). However, appeal of the assessee has been dismissed.

3. Assessee in the present appeal, challenged the validity of the proceedings under section 153C of the I.T. Act and addition of Rs.3 crores. The assessee also moved an application for admission of additional grounds in which assessee raised the following additional grounds :

1. Additional Ground No. 1

“That under the facts and circumstances, in the absence of issuance and service of notice U/s. 153 C r/w. Sec. 153A of the I.T.Act, the jurisdiction for framing the impugned Asstt. has been wrongly assumed, hence, the impugned Asstt. is without jurisdiction, illegal and unsustainable in law.”

Additional Ground No. 2

“That without prejudice,

As the seized documents in search of a 3rd party have been received by the AO of the assessee on 29.08.2013, therefore, in view of Sec. 153C(1) (first proviso), the search year is A.Y. 2014-2015 and not impugned A.Y. 2012-2013, hence, in case, if impugned Asstt. has been framed u/s. 153B(1)(b) treating A.Y. 2012-2013 as the search year, the whole Asstt. Proceedings stands vitiated in law and unsustainable because the A.Y. 2012-2013 falls within period of preceding 6 Asstt. Years as provided in Sec.153A(1)(b), therefore, the Asstt. of A.Y. 2012-2013 was to be framed only U/s. 153C and that too after issuance and service of notice U/s. 153C r/w. Sec. 153A of the I.T. Act which has never been issued as admitted by AO in RT1 reply. ”

2. That both the above grounds are pure legal grounds which goes to the root of the matter which can be taken at any stage of proceedings before Hon’ble ITAT.

3. That, further, no new facts are required to be investigated or place on records for adjudicating these grounds which are already available on records.

4. That under above mentioned facts and circumstances and as per the following authorities, these additional grounds deserves to be admitted:-

NATIONAL THERMAL POWER COMPANY LTD. 229 ITR 383 (SC)

GEDORE TOOLS PVT. LTD., 238 ITR 268 (DEL.)

5. That without prejudice, the issues covered in these additional grounds are covered in G.N. 1 and G. N. 2, as taken initially in Form – 36 also, however, these have been taken specifically only as a matter of abundant precaution and to meet out the situation in case the Hon’ble Court is of the opinion that the same are not covered in Ground Nos. 1 & 2 as initially taken.”

3.1. Learned Counsel for the Assessee submitted that additional grounds are legal in nature and no new facts shall have to be considered. He, therefore, submitted that additional grounds may be admitted. He has relied upon the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of National Thermal Power Co. Ltd., (1998) 229 ITR 383 (SC) and Gedore Tools Pvt. Ltd., 238 ITR 268 (Del.).

4. On the other hand, Ld. D.R. submitted that additional grounds have no merit and the same may be rejected. The assessment has been rightly framed under section 153A(1)(b) of the I.T. Act, 1961.

5. After considering the rival submissions, we are of the view that the additional grounds are legal in nature and no new facts shall have to be considered. The additional grounds go to the validity of the assessment proceedings under section 153C of the I.T. Act, therefore, the same should be admitted for deciding the appeal. The Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court in the case of VMT Spinning Co Ltd., vs. CIT (2016) 389 ITR 326 (P & H) considering various decisions including the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of National Thermal Power Co. Ltd., (1998) 229 ITR 383 (SC) held that “the Tribunal could decide the appeal on a ground neither taken in the Memorandum of Appeal nor by seeking its leave. The only requirement was that the Tribunal could not rest its decisions on any other ground unless the party who might be affected had sufficient opportunity of being heard given on that ground. Therefore, the Tribunal ought to have exercised its discretion in view of the fact that assessee intended raising only a legal argument without reference to any disputed question of facts.”

5.1. Considering the issue in the light of the factthat additional grounds are legal in nature and shall have bearing on the validity of the assessment proceedings, therefore, the same is admitted for the purpose of disposal of the appeal.

5.2. Learned Counsel for the Assessee submitted that search was conducted in the case of M/s Krrish Group of cases on 09.11.2011. A survey under section133A of the Act was also carried out on 22.11.2011 at the business premises of the Assessee-Company and its Director. The seized/impounded documents in the group were received by the A.O. on 29.08.2013. These facts are mentioned in the assessment order. He has referred to PB-161 which is satisfaction note recorded under section 153C of the I.T. Act in the case of assessee dated 03.10.2013. The satisfaction note was, therefore, recorded in the A.Y. 2014-2015 in the case of the person searched. PB-190 to 195 are the notices issued under section 153A r.w.s.153C of the I.T. Act in the case of the assessee for A.Ys. 2006-2007 to 2011-2012. He has submitted that no notice under section 153C have been issued for assessment year under appeal i.e., 2012-2013. He has referred to PB-160 which is a reply filed under RTI Act dated 01.11.2016 by DCIT, CC-1, Gurgaon, in which, A.O. has reported that no notice under section 153C was issued for A.Y. 2012-2013 as it was a search year. Hence, notice under section 143(2)/142(1) were issued. Learned Counsel for the Assessee submitted that the A.O. accordingly did not pass any assessment order under section 153C of the I.T. Act and passed the assessment order under section 153B(1)(b) of the I.T. Act being a search year. He has submitted that First Proviso to Section 153C is applicable in the case of the assessee because no search was conducted in the case of the assessee. The Amendment in Section 153C came w.e.f. 01.04.2017 which is prospective in nature. Assessment in A.Y. 2012-2013 under appeal should have been completed under section 153C being 5th year in the Block of 06th year. The First Proviso to Section 153C(1) provides that in case of Section 153C, the date of receiving of books of account by the jurisdictional A.O. shall have to be construe as date of initiation of search. Since the books of account/impounded documents have been received by the A.O. on 29.08.2013, therefore, A.Y. 2014-2015 will be the year of search and assessments under section 153C of the I.T. Act should have been computed for A.Ys. 2008-2009 to 2013-2014. Since, no notice under section 153C have been issued for assessment year in appeal, therefore, the assessment order is illegal, void and bad in law. He has relied upon the Judgment of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT vs. Sarwar Agency P. Ltd., (2017) 397 ITR 400 (Del.), Order of ITAT, Delhi, B-Bench in the case of ACIT vs. Empire Casting Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi in ITA.No.4018/Del./2011 and C.O.No.207/Del./2012 dated 21.11.2017 and Order of ITAT, Delhi, C-Bench in the case of PavitraRealcon Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi vs. ACIT, Central Circle-32, New Delhiin ITA.Nos. 3185, 3186 & 3253/Del./2015 dated 04.10.2017. He has also referred to Memorandum explaining Finance Bill 2017 in which it is provided that “Amendment in Section 153C shall apply in respect of search conducted or requisition made on or after 1st day of April, 2017.”

6. On the other hand, Ld. D.R. submitted that Section 153A(1) deals with the years of reopening in the case of search proceeding and as per Section 153C(1) after the satisfaction, the A.O. shall proceed in accordance with provisions of Section 153A(1) of the I.T. Act. Section 153A(1)(b) is very clear that “A.O. shall assess or re-assess the total income of 06 assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which search is conducted”. No where the Section contains the word “Date of initiation of the Search” which are referred to by the First Proviso to Section 153C of the I.T. Act. Hence, the First Proviso to Section 153C of the I.T. Act is only referring to the abatement of the existing proceedings mentioned in the Second Proviso to Section 153A(1) of the I.T. Act, as clearly mentioned in the First Proviso and further clarified by usage of words “the date of initiation of search” which are no where mentioned in Section 153A(1) of the I.T. Act. Even after the Amendment in Section 153C, the First Proviso stands as it is in the statute which makes it further clear that First Proviso to Section 153C always referred to abatement of proceedings as mentioned in the second proviso Section 153A(1) of the I.T. Act, otherwise, the current 153C shall have major incongruity as to whether six years would be reckoned from the date of search as mentioned in the amended Section 153C(1) or from the date of handing over of the documents as mentioned in the First Proviso of Section 153C which remained un-amended. He has, therefore, submitted that assessment have been rightly framed under section 153A(1)(b) of the I.T. Act, 1961.

7. We have considered the rival submissions. Section 153C of the I.T. Act, 1961, as is applicable to assessment year under appeal reads as under :

“153C.Assessment of income of any other person.– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 139, section 147, section 148, section 149, section 151 and section 153, where the Assessing Officer is satisfied that any money, bullion, jewellery or other valuable article or thing or books of account or documents seized or requisitioned belongs or belong to a person other than the person referred to in section 153A, then the books of account or documents or assets seized or requisitioned shall be handed over to the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person and that Assessing Officer shall proceed against each such other person and issue such other person notice and assess or reassess income of such other person in accordance with the provisions of section 153A :

Provided that in case of such other person, the reference to the date of initiation of the search under section 132 or making of requisition under section 132A in the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 153A shall be construed as reference to the date of receiving the books of account or documents or assets seized or requisitioned by the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person.

[Provided further that the Central Government may by rules made by it and published in the Official Gazette, specify the class or classes of cases in respect of such other person, in which the Assessing Officer shall not be required to issue notice for assessing or reassessing the total income for six assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which search is conducted or requisition is made except in cases where any assessment or reassessment has abated.]

[(2) Where books of account or documents or assets seized or requisitioned as referred to in sub-section (1) has or have been received by the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person after the due date for furnishing the return of income for the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which search is conducted under section 132 or requisition is made under section 132A and in respect of such assessment year—

(a) no return of income has been furnished by such other person and no notice under sub-section (1) of section 142 has been issued to him, or

(b) a return of income has been furnished by such other person but no notice under sub-section (2) of section 143 has been served and limitation of serving the notice under sub-section (2) of section 143 has expired, or

(c) assessment or reassessment, if any, has been made, before the date of receiving the books of account or documents or assets seized or requisitioned by the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person, such Assessing Officer shall issue the notice and assess or reassess total income of such other person of such assessment year in the manner provided in section 153A.

7.1. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT vs. Sarwar Agency P. Ltd., (2017) 397 ITR 400 (Delhi.) (HC) (supra), considering the identical issue held as under :

“Sub-section (1) of section 153C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 provides that the assessment or reassessment of the income of the “other person” would be in accordance with the provisions of section 153A. The first proviso to sub­section (1) of section 153C further states that, in case of such other person, the reference to the date of initiation of search in the second proviso to section 153A(l) “shall be construed as reference to the date of receiving the books of account or documents or assets seized or requisitioned by the Assessing Officer having jurisdiction over such other person”. In terms of section 153A(1)(b) of the Act. the Assessing Officer shall assess or reassess the total income of six assessment years immediately preceding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the search was conducted. The second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 153A of the Act states that assessment or reassessment relating to any assessment year falling within the period of six assessment years referred to in the said sub-section pending on the date of initiation of the search under section 132, would abate. In CIT v. RRJ Securities Ltd. [2016] 380 ITR 612 (Delhi), the court held that in the context of proceedings under section 153C of the Act, the reference to the date of initiation of the search in the second proviso to section 153A has to be construed as the date on which the Assessing Officer receives the documents or assets from the Assessing Officer of the searched person, that further proceedings, by virtue of section 153(1) of the Act, would have to be in accordance with section 153A of the Act and the reference to the date of search would have to be construed as the reference to the date of recording of satisfaction. It would follow’ that the six assessment years for ‘which assessments or reassessments could be made under section 153C of the Act would also have to be construed with reference to the date of handing aver of assets or documents to the Assessing Officer of the assessee.

The amendment in section 153C of the Act by the Finance Act, 2017 with effect from April 1, 2017 to the effect that the Block Period for the person in respect of whom the search was conducted as well as the “other person” would be the same six assessment years immediately preceding the year of search is prospective. A search under section 132 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 took place on November 11, 2010 in the T group of cases. The documents pertaining to the assessee were forwarded along with a satisfaction note by the Assessing Officer of the party in respect of which the search was conducted to the Assessing Officer of the*assessee on January 3, 2013. The Assessing Officer of the assessee issued notice to the assessee under section 153C of the Act on January 4,2013 for the assessment year 2006-07. The Tribunal held that the notice issued to the assessee under section 153C of the Act for the assessment year 2006-07, was without jurisdiction since the assessment year was beyond the purview of issuance of notice in terms of the provision under section 153C of the Act. On appeal:

Held accordingly, dismissing the appeal, that the Tribunal was justified in holding that the notice issued to the assessee under section 153C of the Act for the assessment year 2006-07 was without jurisdiction since the assessment year was beyond the purview of issuance of notice in terms of the provision.”

7.2. The ITAT, Delhi, B-Bench in the case of ACIT, C.C.-2, New Delhi vs. Empire Casting Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi (supra), held in paras 5 and 5.1 as under :

“5. We have heard the rival submission on this issue and also perused the judgment dated 30th October, 2015 of the Hon’ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of CIT Vs RRJ Securities in ITA No. 164/2015 and ITA No. 175 to 177/2015. For ready reference, the relevant Para of the judgment is reproduced as under:

“24. As discussed hereinbefore, in terms of proviso to Section 153C of the Act, a reference to the date of the search under the second proviso to Section 153A of the Act has to be construed as the date of handing over of assets/documents belonging to the Assessee (being the person other than the one searched) to the AO having jurisdiction to assess the said Assessee. Further proceedings, by virtue of Section 153C(1) of the Act, would have to be in accordance with Section 153A of the Act and the reference to the date of search would have to be construed as the reference to the date of recording of satisfaction. It would follow that the six assessment years for which assessments/reassessments could be made under Section 153C of the Act would also have to be construed with reference to the date of handing over of assets/documents to the AO of the Assessee. In this case, it would be the date of the recording of satisfaction under Section 153C of the Act, i.e., 8th September, 2010. In this view, the assessments made in respect of assessment year 2003-04 and 2004-05 would be beyond the period of six assessment years as reckoned with reference to the date of recording of satisfaction by the AO of the searched person. It is contended by the Revenue that the relevant six assessment years would be the assessment years prior to the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the search was conducted. If this interpretation as canvassed by the Revenue is accepted, it would mean that whereas in case of a person searched, assessments in relation to six previous years preceding the year in which the search takes place can be reopened but in case of any other person, who is not searched but his assets are seized from the searched person, the period for which the assessments could be reopened would be much beyond the period of six years. This is so because the date of handing over of assets/documents of a person, other than the searched person, to the AO would be subsequent to the date of the search. This, in our view, would be contrary to the scheme of Section 153C(1) of the Act, which construes the date of receipt of assets and documents by the AO of the Assessee (other than one searched) as the date of the search on the Assessee. The rationale appears to be that whereas in the case of a searched person the AO of the searched person assumes possession of seized assets/documents on search of the Assessee; the seized assets/documents belonging to a person other than a searched person come into possession of the AO of that person only after the AO of the searched person is satisfied that the assets/documents do not belong to the searched person. Thus, the date on which the AO of the person other than the one searched assumes the possession of the seized assets would be the relevant date for applying the provisions of Section 153A of the Act. We, therefore, accept the contention that in any view of the matter, assessment for AY 2003-04 and AY 2004-05 were outside the scope of Section 153C of the Act and the AO had no jurisdiction to make an assessment of the Assessee’s income for that year.”

5.1. The fact that satisfaction under section153C of the Act in the case was recorded on 2nd November, 2009, is not disputed by both the parties. In the judgment cited above, the Hon’ble High Court has held that when the Assessing Officer of searched person and such other person in whose case proceedings under section 153C are initiated, is the same officer, then the date of recording of satisfaction would be construed as the date of handing over of the seized records by the Assessing Officer of searched person to the Assessing Officer of such other person in whose case proceedings under section 153C are initiated. Since the Hon’ble High Court has already construed the relevant provisions, we do not concur with the arguments advanced by the ld. CIT DR on this count. Respectfully following the above judgment of the Hon’ble High Court in RRJ Securities (supra) the date of handing over of seized material/ record by the Assessing Officer of searched party to the Assessing Officer of the assessee would be 2nd November, 2009. Further, following the judgment, the six assessment years for which assessment/re-assessment could be made under section153C of the Act would also have to be construed as from the reference date of handing over of assets/documents to the Assessing Officer of the assessee. In the case in hand, it would be the date of recording satisfaction under section 153 of the Act i.e. 2nd November, 2009, and therefore, six assessment years which would eligible for assessment/re-assessment would commence from assessment year 2004-05 to assessment year 2009-10. The assessment/re-assessment in respect of assessment year 2003-04 would, thus, be beyond the period of six assessment year as reckoned with reference to the date of satisfaction recorded by the Assessing Officer of the searched person. We, therefore, hold that the learned CIT(A) was quite justified in considering the assessment for assessment year 2003-04 as outside the scope of section 153C of the Act, being barred by limitation and without jurisdiction. Accordingly, the impugned assessment order is liable to be quashed. We decide accordingly.”

7.3. The ITAT, Delhi, C-Bench, in the case of Pavitra Realcon Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi vs. ACIT, C.C.32, New Delhi (supra) under the same circumstances held that “assessment completed under section 143(3) is invalid”. The relevant para-16 of the order is reproduced as under:

16. “We find the year for which the impugned assessment order has been passed under section143(3) is for assessment year 2011-12. This year falls within the period of six years when counted from the date of recording of satisfaction note under section153/153C of the I.T. Act which is deemed date of search. The Act has been amended recently by the Finance Act, 2017 with prospective effect i.e., from assessment year 2018­19. Thus, the period is same now only for the searched parties as well as the other person as per the amended provisions of the said section. In view of the above, we hold that the assessment completed under section143 (3) is invalid.”

8. It is not in dispute that search was conducted on Krrish Group of cases on 09.11.2011. The impounded documents have been received by the A.0. on 29.08.2013. The satisfaction under section 153C have been recorded on 03.10.2013. The A.0. passed the assessment order under section 153B(1)(b) of the I.T. Act, considering the assessment year under appeal i.e., A.Y. 2012-2013 to be the year of search. However, the First Proviso to Section 153C of the I.T. Act provides that the 06 assessment years for which assessments or re­assessments could be made under section 153C of the I.T. Act, would also have to be construed with reference to the date of handing-over of the assets or documents to the A.0. of the assessee. Therefore, the 06 assessment years under section 153C of I.T. Act in the case of assessee would be A.Y. 2008-2009 to 2013-2014. The A.0, therefore, shall have to pass the assessment order under section 153C of the I.T. Act. However, A.0. has not issued any notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act before initiating the proceedings against the assessee which is also admitted by the A.0. in reply to the assessee under RTI Act. The Amendment in Section 153C of the I.T. Act by the Finance Act, 2017, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to the effect that block period for the person in respect of whom the search was conducted as well as the “other person” would be the same six assessment year immediately preceding the year of search is prospective in nature. The issue have been dealt in detail by the Hon’ble jurisdictional Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT vs. Sarwar Agency P. Ltd., (supra) and by ITAT, Delhi, B-Bench, in the case of Empire Casting Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi vs. ACIT, C.C.2, New Delhi and Pavitra Realcon Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi vs. ACIT, C.C.32, New Delhi (supra). The A.O, therefore, should have framed the assessment under section 153C of the I.T. Act in the case of the assessee and at the time of initiating the proceeding against the assessee, should have issued notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act which have not been done in this case. The issue of notice under section 153C is mandatory and a condition precedent for taking action against the assessee under section 153C of the I.T. Act. The assessment order, therefore, vitiate, void, illegal and bad in law and cannot be sustained. The contention of the Ld. D.R. have already taken care in the above judgments.

9. Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, we set aside the orders of the authorities below and quash the same and allow the additional grounds of appeals. Resultantly, all additions stands deleted. Since the assessment order is set aside on legal grounds, therefore, there is no need to decide the addition on merit which has been left with academic discussion only.

10. In the result, ITA.No.504/Del./2013 of the Assessee is allowed.”

8. After considering the rival submissions, in the light of above decision of the Tribunal in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra), we are of the view that additional grounds are legal in nature and no new facts shall have to be considered. The additional grounds go to the validity of the assessment proceedings under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act, therefore, same should be admitted for deciding the appeal. In the similar circumstances, the additional ground was admitted by the Tribunal in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra). Following the same Order above and considering the additional grounds are legal in nature, which have bearing on the validity of the assessment proceedings, the same are admitted for the purpose of disposal of the appeal.

9. It is not in dispute that a search was conducted in the bank premises of HDFC Bank, Ambedkar Road, Ghaziabad, in the case of Bank A/c No.xxx2277 of M/s. A.K Traders. No incriminating material was found during the course of search against the assessee. The satisfaction note have been recorded in the case of assessee on 18.09.2012 under section 153C of the I.T. Act for A.Ys. 2005-2006 to 2010-2011. Assessment Year under appeal 2011-2012 was considered to be the year of the search. However, the 1st proviso to Section 153C of the I.T. Act provides that six assessment years for which assessments or re-assessments could be made under section 153C of the I.T. Act, would also have to be construed with reference to the date of handing-over of the assets or documents to the A.O. of the assessee. Since, satisfaction note have been recorded on 18.09.2012, therefore, the six assessment years under section 153C of I.T. Act in the case of assessee would be A.Ys. 2007-2008 to 2012­2013. The A.O, therefore, shall have to pass the assessment order under section 153C of the I.T. Act. However, A.O. has not issued any notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act before initiating the proceedings against the assessee which is also admitted by the authorities below in the impugned Orders. The Amendment in Section 153C of the I.T. Act by the Finance Act, 2017, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to the effect that block period for the person in respect of whom the search was conducted as well as the “other person” would be the same six assessment years immediately preceding the year of search is prospective in nature. An identical issue have been considered by ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra) in the light of decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in in another decision of the Tribunal. The A.O, therefore, should have framed the assessment under section 153C of the I.T. Act in the case of the assessee and at the time of initiating the proceeding against the assessee, should have issued notice under section 153C of the I.T. Act which have not been done in this case. No satisfaction note have been recorded under section 153C of the I.T. Act for the assessment year under appeal. No assessment under section 153C have been framed. Further, no notice under section 153C have been issued and no incriminating material was found against the assessee for the assessment year under appeal. The above conditions of Section 153C are mandatory for taking action against the assessee under section 153C of the I.T. Act. The assessment order passed by the A.O. under section 143(3) of the I.T. Act, therefore, vitiated, void, illegal and bad in law and cannot be sustained. Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that the issue is covered by above Order of the ITAT, Delhi, F-Bench, Delhi in the case of M/s. BNB Investment & Properties Ltd., Gurgaon, Haryana vs. The DCIT, Central Circle-1, Faridabad (supra). We, accordingly, set aside the orders of the authorities below and quash the Orders of the authorities below and quash the Orders of the authorities below and allow the additional grounds of appeal. Resultantly, all additions stands deleted. Since the assessment order is set aside on legal grounds, therefore, there is no need to decide the addition on merit which has been left with academic discussion only.

10. In the result, appeal of Assessee is allowed.

Order pronounced in the open Court.