Condition of Proving ‘Source of Source of Funds’ under 68 not applicable to Non-Residents: ITAT

 

 

Facts:

1. ITA Nos.1441 & 1442/Bang/2018 & CO 103 & 104/Bang/2018 ITA No.1443/Bang/2018 & CO No.105/Bang/2018 M/s. Kansur Developers India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore M/s. Snowshine Realtors Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore

2. The issue involved in the appeal is the investment of Rs. 3,94,77,984/- (US Dollars $ 9,39,952) by a non- resident. non-citizen. Sri. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera in shares of the company M/s. Kansur Developers (P) Ltd. The Assessing Officer in the order of assessment dated 31 12.2015 has added the said investment under the provisions of section 68 of the Income-tax Act,1961.

3. As per records, assessee has received a sum of 939952 USD (Rs.4,07,88,170/-) from Samyak C. Veera, a share capital and share premium and his return of income from the year 2000 to 2006 is only 3312256 USD and he has no enough sources to invest in the assessee’s company and in certain years he has also incurred loss to the tune of 56,628,098 USD.

ITAT Bangalore held as below:

1. The taxability of the income is to be decided with reference to section 5(2) of the Act and provisions of sections 68 or 69 of the Act cannot enlarge the scope of section 5(2) of the Act. What is not taxable u/s 5(2) of the Act cannot be taxed under sections 68 or 69 of the Act. Under section 5(2) of the Act, the income accruing or arising outside India is not taxable unless it is received in India.

2. Similarly, if any income is already received outside India, the same cannot be taxed in India merely on the ground that it is brought to India by way of remittance. If such income is shown in the books of accounts of the assessee as in the present case, if the assessee is unable to prove the source of such credit, cannot be taxed u/s 5(2) of the Act, unless it is proved that such money is relatable to the income accrued or arising in India.

3. If the shareholder is a non-resident, the creditworthiness of the shareholders, if he is non-resident, does not have to be established by the assessee in respect of remittance received by him or it. Proviso to Sec 68 is applicable only to resident shareholders.

4. Being so, in the present cases, only identity and creditworthiness of investor and genuineness of the transactions for explaining the credit in the books of account of the assessee is sufficient, and the onus does not extend to explain the source of funds in the hands of the investor. Thus Sec 68 cannot be invoked in this case.

 

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “A’’ BENCH: BANGALORE

 

BEFORE SHRI N.V. VASUDEVAN, VICE PRESIDENT AND

SHRI CHANDRA POOJARI, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER

ITA Nos.1441 & 1442/Bang/2018
Assessment Year: 2009-10 & 2012-13

 

ACIT Central Circle- 1(4) Bengaluru	Vs.	M/s. Kansur Developers India Pvt. Ltd. No.2650, Ground Floor 37th B Cross, 28th Main, 9th Block Jayanagar Bangalore 560 009
		PAN NO : AACCK9866F
APPELLANT		RESPONDENT

C.O. Nos.103&104/Bang/2018 (Arising out of ITA Nos.1441 & 1442/Bang/2018)
Assessment Years: 2009-10 & 2012-13

 

M/s. Kansur Developers India Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore 560 009	Vs.	ACIT Central Circle-1(4) Bengaluru
APPELLANT		RESPONDENT

 

Appellant by	:	Shri M.V. Seshachala, A.R.
Respondent by	:	Shri Dilip, Junior Standing Counsel for Dept.

ITA No.1443/Bang/2018
Assessment Year: 2008-09

 

ACIT Central Circle-1(4) Bengaluru	Vs.	M/s. Snowshine Realtors Pvt. Ltd. No.2650, Ground Floor 37th B Cross, 28th Main 9th Block, Jayanagar Bangalore 560 009
		PAN NO : AAKCS8973R
APPELLANT		RESPONDENT

 

C.O.  No.105/Bang/2018 (Arising out of ITA No.1443/Bang/2018)
Assessment Year: 2008-09

 

 

M/s. Snowshine Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore 560 009	Vs.	ACIT Central Circle-1(4) Bengaluru
APPELLANT		RESPONDENT

 

Appellant by	Shri C. Ramesh, A.R.
Respondent by	Shri K. Sankar Ganesh, D.R.
Date of Hearing	21	09	2022
Date of Pronouncement	28	10	2022

 

O R D E R

 

PER CHANDRA POOJARI, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER:

 

These appeals by the revenue are directed against orders of CIT(A)-11, Bangalore dated 28.2.2018 for the assessment years 2009-10, 2012-13 & 2008-09 in respect of above two assessees and the Cross objections filed by the assessees against the appeals of the revenue. The grounds raised by the revenue in its appeals are common in nature except figures and hence we reproduce herewith grounds of appeal in ITA No.1441/Bang/2018 for the A.Y. 2009-10 as follows:-

1. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the Ld CIT(A) erred in deleting ‘Addition u/ s 68 amounting to Rs.4,07,88,170/ – without appreciating the fact that except for the identity, the assessee has not been able to establish the creditworthiness of the person advancing loan and also genuineness of the

2. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the Ld CIT(A) erred in holding that the assessee has proved the creditworthiness of the person advancing the loan merely relying on the fact that the said person has been held to a large tax defaulter by the US Revenue authorities ignoring the fact that the said fact does not conclusively prove that the said person has any large real income and cannot be a proof of his creditworthiness on stand alone basis.

3. On the facts and circumstances of the case, the Ld CIT(A) erred in not appreciating that the said investor Shri Samyakant C Veera has invested of about 34 million US $ whereas his net income over a period of 6  proceedings years in US was only 3.3 million US$ as revealed from his tax returns filed with US Revenue authorities and hence his creditworthiness has not been proved.

2. The assessees have raised Cross objections wherein following common grounds are raised which are herein below:-

1. The order of the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) is opposed to the facts of the case and law applicable to

2. The learned Commissioner of Income  Tax  (Appeals)  erred in upholding the action of the Assessing Officer of invoking the provisions of section 147 of the act for the A.Y.2009-10 dismissing the grounds of appeal of the respondent on the legality of the action of the Assessing Officer in invoking the said

3. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring that,  the  Assessing  Officer  recorded satisfaction on wrong set of  facts  that,  the  appellant  had not filed the return at all, whereas the appellant in fact had already filed the return of income within the due date and under the circumstances, the reopening was bad in law and deserved to be

4. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law that,  the  provisions  of section 147 of the Act  cannot  be  invoked  on  mere suspicions and relying solely on an alleged report from investigation wing, without any independent evidence,  the said provisions could not have been

5. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in not appreciating the position of law  that,  in the  absence of reason to believe and without any evidence to form such reason to believe that, income  chargeable  to  tax  has escaped assessment, the Assessing Officer could not have invoked the provisions of section 147 of the

6. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law that, the reason to believe for issue of notice u/s 147 of the Act should be on the basis of tangible material and not on presumptions and on just an opinion which is not supported by evidences  the provisions of section 147 of the Act could not have been

7. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down by  Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Indian & Eastern News Paper Society V. CIT (1979) 119 ITR 996 (SC). wherein it is held that, opinion of an audit party  cannot  be  basis  for reopening and on the same lines opinion  of  investigation wing  can also be not a basis for reopening  U/s.147  of the

8. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down in the following decisions, wherein it is held on mere suspicion no reopening is possible U/s.147 of the act, since  the satisfaction is based on  “reason  to  believe”  and  not “reason to suspect”
   1. CIT Jeskaran Bhuvalka (1970) 76 ITR 128 (AP)
   2. Sundareswaram V. CIT (1972) 84 ITR 173 (Ker)
   3. Hemlata Agarwal V. CIT (1967) 64 ITR 428 (All)
   4. ITO Lakshmani Mewal Das (1976) 103 ITR 437 (SC)
   5. India Finance & Construction , (P) Ltd V. B.N.Panda, DCIT (1993) 200 ITR 710 (Born)

9. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the ratio laid down by Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in the case of Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Delhi), wherein it is held that,  the  information  received from Investigation Wing could not be said to be tangible material perse without a  further  enquiry  being undertaken by the Assessing Officer to establish link between “tangible material” and formation of reason to believe that income chargeable to tax had  escaped  assessment  for the  purpose of the provisions of section 147 of the act.

10. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down by Gujarath High Court in the case of Gaurav Contracts , V. DCIT (2015) 64 ,333 (Guj). wherein it is held that,  an opinion of an audit party cannot be basis for reason  to believe for the purpose of the provisions of section 147 of the act

11. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down by Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in the case of Commissioner of Income Tax — 6, Vs. Meenakshi Overseas Private Limited (2017) 82 ,300 (Delhi), wherein it is held that, reassessment resorted to on the basis of information from investigation  wing  without  independent  application   of mind to the tangible material is not  justified  and  all  the more so in the absence of any such tangible material.

12. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down by Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in the case of Nu Power Renewables (P) Ltd DCIT, Circle-1(2)(a) (2018) 94 ,29 (Bombay), wherein it is held that, relying only upon information received  from  DDIT  and  without independently applying mind, re-assessment cannot be resorted to.

13. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the position of law laid down by Hon’ble High Court of Bombay in the case of Principle Commissioner of Income Tax-5 V. Shodiman Investments (P) Ltd (2018) 93 ,153 (Bombay), wherein it is held that, reopening notice issued by Assessing Officer on the basis of intimation from DDIT, Investigation, is in breach  of settled position of law that, a reopening notice has to be issued by the Assessing Officer on his  own satisfaction and not on borrowed satisfaction

14. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in not  following the ratio laid  down  by ITAT. Delhi Bench in the case of RMG Polyvinyl (I) Ltd V. DCIT. Circle 15(1), New Delhi (2017) 88 ,351  (Delhi-Trib), wherein it is held that, where the Assessing Officer had not applied his  mind  and  mechanically  issued  notice  U/s.148 of the act on the basis of information received from the DIT Investigation,  the reassessment is  bad  in law and  deserves to be quashed.

15. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in ignoring the ratio laid down by the  Hon’ble  Delhi Tribunal in the case of Monarch Educational Society V. ITO (Exemption) (2015) 57 ,141  (Delhi) wherein it is held that, simply reproducing details received  from Director of Income Tax, Investigation  without  any verification would not be sufficient reason to believe for the purpose of invoking the provisions of section ‘147 of the act

16. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in not following the ratio laid down by ITAT. Delhi Bench ‘A’ in the case of Bir Bahadur Singh Sijwali V. ITO Ward-1, Haldwani (2015) 53 ,366 (Delhi Trib).

17. The respondent craves permission to ad, delete or alter any of the grounds at the time of hearing.

• The assessee has raised additional grounds of appeal in cross objections, which are reproduced as under:-

“The Appellant has filed Cross Objection on 06.08.2018 before Hon’ble ITAT. While filing the same, we have 16 grounds of appeal. The last of the grounds is as under: –

“16. The respondent craves permission to add, delete or alter any of the grounds at the time of hearing”.

The Appellant is taking the following Additional Grounds  of Cross  Objections on point of law.

1. The learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) erred in upholding the action of the Assessing Officer in invoking the provisions of section 147 of the act for the Y.2008-09 ignoring the fact that, the proceedings were initiated on the basis of certain seized material and consequential enquiries and therefore under law the proceedings should have been initiated under the provisions of section 153C of the act.

2. The learned Commissioner of  Income  Tax  (Appeals)  erred in holding that, the reopening U/s.147 of the act is valid ignoring the position of law that,  the  provisions  to  be invoked was the provisions of section 153C of the act and therefore the proceedings sl 147  initiated are bad in law and deserve to be annulled.”

• At the time of hearing, the Ld. A.R. has not pressed the legal issue in all the COs filed by the assessee, however, he only supported the deletion of addition made by CIT(A) on merit.

ITA No.1441/Bang/2018 for the AY 2009-10:-

 

3. Since issue in all appeals are common, for brevity, we consider the facts and grounds in ITA 1441/Bang/2018 for adjudication.

Facts of the case are as follows:-

3.1      The  issue  involved  in  the  appeal  is  the  investment  of Rs. 3,94,77,984/- (US Dollars $   9,39,952)   by   a   non- resident. non-citizen. Sri. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera in shares of the company M/s. Kansur Developers (P) Ltd. The Assessing Officer in the order of assessment dated 31 12.2015 has added the   said   investment   under   the provisions of section 68 of the   Income-tax   Act,1961   [‘the Act’ for short]. On appeal the  Ld.  C1T(A)  in  his  order  in  ITA No. 355/Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax/CC- 1(4)/CIT(A)-11/2015-16 dated 10.02.2016 has deleted the addition made. The revenue is now in this appeal before the Tribunal contesting the deletion made by the Ld. CIT(A).

4. The D.R. submitted that Shri Samyak C. Veera has invested in various companies of an amount of 53,341,067 USD up to assessment year 2012-13 as against the income of 33,122,56 USD. According to him, the judgement relied by the assessee’s counsel in the case of M/s. Jaico Realtors Pvt. Ltd. in ITA No.1444/Bang/2018 dated 8.5.2019 cannot be applied to the facts of the present case. Further, he submitted that as per records, assessee has received a sum of 939952 USD (Rs.4,07,88,170/-) from Samyak C. Veera, a share capital and share premium and his return of income from the year 2000 to 2006 is only 3312256 USD and he has no enough sources to invest in the assessee’s company and in certain years he has also incurred loss to the tune of 56,628,098 USD. As such, he is not in a position to make an investment of above amount in the assessee’s company. According to Ld. D.R., the assessee has not proved the sources of Shri Samyak Veera to make such huge investment in assessee’s company and he has made following investments for which Shri Samyak C. Veera have no source of income:-

SI. No.	_         Name of the company	Asst. Year	Share capital amount given in USD
1	M/s.Kansur Developers India (P) Ltd	2007-08	26,00,000
2	M/s. KJS Realtors (P) Ltd	2007-08	16,22,500
3	M/s. Jasuka Developers (P) Ltd	2008-09	5,99,970
4	M/s. KJS Realtors (P) Ltd	2008-09	10,02,475
5	M/s. Jaico Realtors (P) Ltd	2008-09	9,99,970
6	M/s. Snowshine Realtors (P) Ltd	2008109	4,99,975
7	M/s. Kansur Realtors (P) Ltd	2008-09	35,99,910
8	M/s. Kansur Developers India (P) Ltd	2008-09	41,99,915
9	M/s. Zircon Properties (P) Ltd	2009-10 •	5,00,0960
10	M/s. Kansur Developers India (P) Ltd	2009-10	9,39,952
11	M/s. Sukant Developers (P) Ltd	2008-09	10,00,440
12	M/s. Sukant Developers (P) Ltd	2010-11	1,84,62,500
13	M/s. Kansur Developers	2012-13	18,75,000
14	M/s. Zircon Properties (P) Ltd	2010-11	19,37,500
	Total Investment till AY 2008-09		53,10,66,067

As such order of the Ld. CIT(A) has to be reversed.

5. It is the contention of the Ld. A.R. that the identity of the investor is established, the mode of receipt is through banking channels and hence the genuineness of the transaction is also Copies of the bank accounts have been furnished and the sources for the investor were available in the bank account. Under the circumstances. no addition could have been made under the provisions of section 68 of the Act by A.O.

• He submitted that incidentally in one of the group companies M/s.Jaico Realtors (P) Ltd there was an investment of ‘Rs.4,06,98,779/- ($ 9,99,970) for the Y.2008-09 and similar issue was considered by Tribunal in ITA No.1444/Bang/2018 dated 8.5.2019 and deleted addition made by AO u/s 68 of the Act on similar circumstance
• The Ld. A.R. submitted that the findings of the AO are that, Samyak Chandrakanth Veera was having net income of $ 33,12,256 only and he has made a total investment of $ 5,33,41,067. It is the finding of the learned AO that the net income as per US returns of Mr.Samyak C Veera is $ 33,12,256 based on the ITAT order in  the  case  of  M/s.Jaico  Realtors (P) Ltd. The reference is to para 8 of the order in ITA No.1444/Bang/2018 and Co.No.106/Bang/2018, wherein it is mentioned that. the net income of the investor comes to $ 33.12,256 as against remittance by  him  of  only  $  10,00,000. The figure $ 33,12,256 has been culled out from para 6 of the assessment order of M/s.Jaico Relators (P) Ltd, which is reproduced below:-

Year	Income in $	Loss in $	Net Income in $
2000	1,43,96,216		1,43,96,216
2001	1,64,10,419		1,64,10,419
2002	2,91,14,644		2,91,14,644
2003	41,83,594	5,76,00,0	(5,34,16,406)
2004	41,471	16,84,735	(16,43,264)
2005	22,075	3,000	19,075
2006	77,836	16,50,264	(15,68,428)
Net	6,42,46,255	6,09,37,9	33,12,256

• The learned AO has stated that, when Mr. Samyak Veera net income for the years from 2000 to 2006 is only $ 33,12,256, how he could have invested in share capital an amount of $ 5,33,41,067 in various companies.
• In this Ld. A.R. submitted that  in  respect  of  the above chart the position  of  income  of  Mr.  Samyak  Veera  was based on the  Income  Tax  returns  filed  by  him  in  US  as  on  date of completion of assessment orders. Subsequently the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of US has disallowed the claim of  losses stating that “based on the fact that the disallowance  of $ 57600000 currency option losses would  result in  substantial under statement of income  tax  for  the  year  2003.  In  support of disallowance of loss claimed of $ 576.00.000 by Mr. Samyak Veera a notice of final partnership administrative adjustments issued by Department of Treasury   Internal   Revenue   Service. USA which is furnished as an annexure to written submission.

• The A.R. submitted that since Ld. D.R. alleged that, the tax returns filed by Mr. Samyak Veera shows that he has no sufficient source to investment in  share capital of the appellant company, mere tax returns does not disclose the income of the investor. It only shows the taxable income of the investor but not  the  actual  funds  available with the investor, the ld. AO alleging that investor does not have sufficient source of income, Ld. A.R.  furnished  final order of IRS for the calendar year 2003, wherein the investor has claimed a loss of  US  $  57600000 has  been disallowed and brought into tax  by  the  US  Tax  Authorities.  This  is not a fresh or additional evidence but only clarifying the facts issue  raised  by  the  DR.   In  view  of  final  findings  of  the  IRS that, the loss included in the chart has to be  excluded,  Ld.  A.R. further furnished Certified Public Accountants M/s. Pandya Kapadia Bhatt & Associates, CPAs letter giving effect   to   the notice of TMP Notice of Final Partnership Administrative Adjustment, to the Tax Matters   Partner,   Gamma   Trading Partners LLC and consequent effect on   Mr.   Samyak   Veera revised adjusted gross  income  for  Calendar  Year  2003  would  be US $ 4,183,595. Copy of the letter   of   Certified   Public Accountants (CPA), USA was also enclosed in the written submissions filed by ld. AR.

• On exclusion of loss from the above referred chart of learned AO the assessee’s income for  the  period  from  2000  to 2006 is as under:-

Year	Income in $	Loss in $	Net Income in $
2000	1,43,96,216		1,43,96,216
2001	1,64,10,419		1,64,10,419
2002	2,91,14,644		2,91,14,644
003	41,83,594		41,83,594
2004	41,471	16,84,735	(16,43,264)
2005	22,075	3,000	19,075
2006	77,836 6,42,46,255	16,50,264	(15,68,428)
Net		33,37,999	6,09,12,256

• The A.R. further submitted that the assessee has invested in share capital $ 4,61,82,089, whereas the income determined by the IRS is $ 6,09,12,256 for the period 2000 to 2006 which is much more than the investment made by Mr. Samyak Veera in the various group companies.

• Mr. Samyak Veera was a partner in various partnership firms (LLP) AND LLC, the list of  which  was  furnished  along with his  US  Income Tax  Returns to  the  Assessing Officer and also  before the  Commissioner of  Income Tax  (Appeals).   Most of the LLCs are 100% owned by Mr. Samyak Veera. At the beginning of 2003 M/s. Gamma Trading Partners LLC,  was owned 100% by Mr. Samyak Veera, Pensacola PFI Corp and Lexington Avenue Trust. On 15th April, 2003 membership interests were transferred and additional funds were contributed to Gamma Trading Partners, LLC such that it was owned 100% by Park  Avenue  Trust, Lexington Avenue  Trust and Pensacola PFI Cor. Each (1) Park Avenue Trust  (2) Lexington Avenue Trust and (3) Pensacola  PFI  Corp,  were  in turn  100%  owned  by  Mr.  Samyak  Veera.   As  such,  any  gains or losses from Gamma Trading Partners flowed through Park Avenue Trust,  Lexington  Avenue  Trust  and Pensacola  PFI Corp and in  turn  onto  Mr.  Samyak  Veera  personal tax  return. In 2003, M/s. Gama Trading  Co.,  has filed  an Income  Tax return reporting a loss of $ 57,600,000.

• The AR further submitted that investment in share capital made by Mr. Samyak Veera includes items which  are  not part of present pending appeals before the Tribunal. Hence deserves to be deleted from the Chart. The details are as under:

(i)

Sl. No.	Name of the company	Asst. Year	Share capital amount given in USD
1	M/s. Kansur Develppers India (P) Ltd	2007-08	26,00,000
2	M/s. KJS Realtors (P) Ltd	2007-08	16,22, 500
3	M/s. Jasuka Developers (P) Ltd	2008-09	5,99,970
4	M/s. KJS Realtors (P) Ltd	2008-09	10,02,475

There was no additions made in respect of the above cases on account of investment in share capital by Mr. Samyak Veera and return filed has been accepted.

• SI.No.8, in the chart of learned AO has stated that Mr. Samyak Veera has invested in share capital of M/s. Kansur Developers India (P) Ltd for the A.Y.2008-09, $ 41.99,915. However, as per the assessment order for the A.Y.2008-09 it is only $ 38.49,915 has been added U/s.68 of the act. Hence the difference of $ 3,00,000 is deserves to be deleted from the chart.
• SI.No.11, in the chart of learned AO has stated that Mr. Samyak Veera has invested in share capital of M/s. Sukant Developers (P) Ltd for the A.Y.2008-09 $ 10.00.440. but actual figure is $ 1,00,00,440 The difference of $ 90.00,000 should be added in the chart.

• SI.No.12, in the chart of learned AO has stated that Mr. Samyak Veera has invested in share capital of M/s Sukant Developers (P) Ltd for the A.Y 2010-11 $ 1,84,62,500. However. this amount was invested by Mr. Samyak Veera out of the balance  in  NRE  account maintained in India amounting to Rs.73,85,00,000/-.

• SI.No. 13, in the chart of learned AO has stated that Mr. Samyak Veera has invested in share capital of M/s. Kansur Developers (India) Pvt Ltd for the A.Y.2012-13 $ 18.75.000. However, this amount has invested by Mr. Samyak Veera out of the balance in NRE account maintained in India amounting to Rs.5,50,00,000/-.

• SI.No.14, in the chart of learned AO has stated that Mr. Samyak Veera has invested in share capital of M/s. Zircon Properties (P) Ltd for the A.Y.2010-11 $ 19.37,500. However, this amount has invested by Mr. Samyak Veera out of the balance in NRE account maintained in India amounting to Rs.7.75,00 000/-.

• If the above referred errors are corrected  in   the   chart the total amounts  work out  to  $ 4,61.82.089.  As   such the allegation of the learned  AO  that,    Samyak  Veera has invested $ 53,34,1067, is not correct.

• The A.R. further submitted that the Income Tax return does show only the taxable income i.e., excluding exempted income, income from partnership  firms, drawing from firms and  borrowings. capital  balances. Insurance funds etc. which are also sources of income and available  for investment. Mr. Samyak Veera was a partner in various partnership firms (LLP) and LLC. the list of which was furnished along with his US Income Tax Returns to the Assessing  Officer and also before the   Commissioner  of Income Tax (Appeals). Most of the LLCs are 100% owned by Mr. Samyak Veera. At the beginning of 2003 M/s. Gama Trading Partners LLC, was owned 100% by Mr. Samyak Veera, Pensacola PFI Corp and Lexington Avenue Trust. On April 15, 2003, membership interests were transferred and additional funds were contributed to Gamma Trading Partners, LLC such that it was owned 100% by Park Avenue Trust, Lexington Avenue Trust and Pensacola  PFI  Corp. Each of these entities i.e., (1) Park Avenue Trust (2) Lexington Avenue Trust and (3) Pensacola PFI Corp, were in turn 100% owned by Mr. Samyak Veera. As  such, any  gains or losses from Gamma Trading Partners flowed through Park Avenue Trust, Lexington Avenue Trust and Pensacola PFI Corp and in turn onto Mr. Samyak  Veera  personal  tax return. In 2003, M/s. Gama Trading Co., has filed an Income Tax return reporting a loss of  $ 57,600,000. This claim of loss has been rejected by the IRS and disallowed stating as under: –

^–It is determined that the $ 57,600,000 of  losses claimed on Form 1065, Schedule K. line 7, and  reflected on  Form 6761, Line 1 and statement 11 are disallowed because:

1. You have failed to substantiate that the transactions occurred, that they occurred in the manner claimed, or that the transactions and the claimed losses were bona fide or the result of a bona fide

2. You have failed to substantiate the existence of transactions entitling you to the loss

3. You have failed to establish that the claimed losses were deductible under R.C $ 165 of any other provision of the Internal Revenue Code.

4. It is determined that the transactions for which the losses were claimed were shams, lacking economic “

• In view of the above findings by the IRS the loss disallowed in the hands of M/s. Gamma Trading LLC flowed through Park Avenue Lexington  Avenue Trust and Pensacola  PFI Corp and in turn onto   Mr.   Samyak   Veera personal tax return. In this regard, copy of IRS notice of final partnership administrative adjustment for 2003, dated  10-2- 2019  and  09-04-2019  in  the  case  of  M/s.   Pensacola  PFI  Corp and M/s. Gamma Trading Partners LLC is attached,  wherein  it clearly  says that  losses  disallowed  in the hands  of   the   firms  is to be adjusted in the individual return of the partners. Considering the findings of IRS the loss claimed by  Mr.  Samyak Veera for the year 2003 is to  be  adjusted  in  his  personal  tax returns  which results a   positive   income  of  $   41,86,594   instead of loss claimed of $ 53,416,406.

• The A.R. drew our attention to the letter issued by for the assessee enclosed Certified Public Accountants M/s. Pandya Kapadia Bhatt & Associates, CPAs letter giving effect to the notice of TMP Notice of Final Partnership Administrative Adjustment, to the Tax Matters Partner, Gamma Trading Partners LLC and consequent effect on Mr. Samyak Veera revised adjusted gross income for Calendar Year 2003 would be US $ 4,183,595. Copy of the letter of Certified Public Accountants ( CPA), USA. He therefore submitted that, the objection of the AO that, only $ 33.12,256 was available to Mr. Samyak C. Veera is not correct. Mr. Samyak C. Veera had sources far exceeding the investments made and hence there was no case of addition.

FURTHER SUBMISSIONS ON THE FINDINGS OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER IN REGARD TO CREDIT WORTHINESS OF SRI.SAMYAK C VEERA.

• Further, the A.R. submitted that the Assessing Officer sought for statement of affairs during the course of assessment proceedings and only for the reason that, such statement of affairs was not furnished. concluded that the remitter Sri. Samyak C. Veera does not have the sources for investment.

• On this issue the A.R. submitted the following  before us:-

• At the outset, under law the source for the source is not required to be  proved  in  regard   to  the   creditworthiness of the Ld. A.R. relied on the following decisions wherein it  is held that, the source for the  source and origin for  the origin need  not be proved by the investor.

1. Tolaram Daga    CIT  (1966)  59  ITR  632  (Assam)
2. CIT Daulat Ram Rawatmull (1973)  87  ITR  349  (SC)
3. Sarogi Credit Corporation V. CIT (1976)  103  ITR  344 (Pat)

5.19 (i) In the present case the appellant  has  not  only proved the source but also the source of the source. The investor Mr. Samyak C. Veera has accepted the investment. It is open for the department to initiate enquiries in his case. The revenue cannot insist upon the assessee to prove the source of the source.

• It is clarified by Samyak C.  Veera  that as  per US Law, individuals are not required to create or submit personal balance sheet as part of their personal income tax reporting obligations. The IRS form are reporting individual income tax in Form 1040, US Individual income tax return. Form 1040 requires taxpayers to report the following general categories of items, as applicable to the particular taxpayer, filing status, exemptions, income deductions that reduce adjusted gross income (AGI), the AGI itself, other itemized deductions, a computation of the taxable income a computation of the tax and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). tax credits, and the amount of tax due. In sum, there is no requirement to submit a personal balance sheet with the Form 1040. and there are no lines on the Form 1040 for reporting assets and liabilities. As there is no requirement to create or submit a personal balance sheet under US tax law, no such balance sheet is submitted to IRS. This fact is evident from the Affidavit filed by Ms. MEGHAN L. BRACKNEY, representative of M/s. Kostelanetz & Fink, LLP, 7 World Trade Center, 34th Floor, New York, New  York 10007, one of the premier law firms in United States, who are attorneys for Mr. Samyak Veera before the Tribunal on 09.11.2020. Under the circumstances, the respondent cannot insist on such statement of affairs from the investor. Seeking for the same from the assessee is virtually directing the assessee to do the impossible. Ld. A.R. submitted that, it is a decided position of law that, under law one cannot compel a person to do the impossible. He relied on the following decisions, wherein it is held that, under law once cannot compel a man to do an act which he cannot possibly perform.

1. Cochin State Power & Light Corporation Ltd State of Kerala (AIR 1965 SC 1688. 1691)
2. Vinod Krishna  Kaul  V.  Union  of  India  (JT  1995  (9) SC 205, 208)
3. Attiq-Ur-Rehman Municipal Corporation of Delhi (JT 1996(2)  SC  670,  678)
4. Manohar Joshi Nitin Bhaurao Patil (1996) 1 SCC 169, 179
5. Life Insurance Corporation of India CIT (1996)  219 ITR 410, 418 (SC)

• iii) All   the   investments   made  by   Samyak C. Veera are through NRE account.  The relevant Bank accounts have been furnished. There were  sufficient balances in  the  bank  accounts. In many of  the cases the  sources  for  remittances  to these bank accounts have also been established. Mr. Samyak  C.  Veera  has confirmed  the  transactions. Under the circumstances, the following conditions which are requirement of proving the transactions are satisfied.

• The identity of the investor is established, since the said investor has confirmed the
• The genuineness of the transaction  is   established for the reason that, all the transactions are through banking channels and FIRC have been
• Evidences in regard to  the  sources  of  the  investor have been The revenue is only misinterpreting the fact of notional claim of loss which perhaps was allowable under US laws   as actual loss and denying to accept the source. This position is  factually  incorrect  and  the  US authorities have also denied allowance of such loss.

• In the light of the above position of law as confirmed in the various decisions listed out hereunder the Ld. A.R. submitted that the sources for investment are proved, the genuineness of the transaction   established   and   the   onus   cast on the assessee is established.

• In this regard, he relied  on  the  ratios  laid  down in the  following decisions, which  are  more  fully  explained in the earlier submissions:-

1. Commissioner of Income Tax and Another Arunananda Textiles (P) Ltd (2011) 333 ITR 116 (Kar)
2. CIT Lovely Exports (P) Ltd (2009) 319 ITR (St.) 5 (SC)
3. CIT Ask Brokers Ltd (2011) 333 ITR 111 (Kar)
4. CIT Steller Investments Ltd (2001) 251 ITR 263 (SC)
5. ITO Ankush Finstock Ltd (2012) 21 , 119 (Ahmd)
6. CIT Anurag Agarwal (2015) 54 ,75 (Allahabad)
7. CIT Gangeshwari Metal (P) Ltd (2013) 30 , 328 (Delhi)
8. CIT Jaydee Securities & Finance Ltd (2013) 32 T, 91 (Allahabad)
9. CIT Nav Bharat Duplex Ltd (2013) 35 , 289/217 Taxman 17 (All)
10. CIT Bhaval Synthetics (2013) 35 Taxmann.com 83 (Raj)
11. CIT Miq Steels (P) Ltd (2013) 36 Taxmann.com 422/217 Taxman 209 (AII)/CIT V.  Kamna Medical Centre (P) Ltd  (2013) 35 Taxmann.com 470/217 Taxman 16 (All)
12. CIT V. Peoples General Hospital Ltd (2013) 35 com 444 (MP)
13. CIT Al Anam Agro Foods (P) Ltd (2013) 38 Taxmann.com 375 (All)
14. CIT Divine Leasing & Finance Ltd (2008) 299 ITR 268 (Delhi)
15. Jaya Securities Ltd CIT (2008) 166 Taxman 7 (All)
16. Cochin State Power & Light Corporation Ltd V. State of Kerala (AIR 1965 SC 1688, 1691)
17. Vinod Krishna Kaul Union of India (JT 1995 (9) SC 205. 208)
18. Attiq-ur-Rehman Municipal Corporation of Delhi (JT 1996 (2) SC 670. 678)
19. Manohar Joshi V Nitin Bhaurao Patil (1996) 1 SC 179
20. Life Insurance Corporation of India CIT (1996) 219 ITR 410, 418 (SC)
21. Sreelekha Banerjee CIT (1963) 49 ITR 112. 120 (SO)
22. Yasodamma, Gudur V. CIT (1968) 70 ITR 515, 517 (AP)
23. Anil Kumar Singh CIT (1972) 84 ITR 307 (Cal)
24. Abu Bucker Sait CIT (1970) 76 ITR 362 (Mad)
25. Bhagavan Prasad Mishra CIT (1959) 35 ITR 97 (Orissa)
26. Tolaram Daga CIT (1966) 59 ITR 632 (Assam)
27. CIT Daulat Ram Rawatmull (1973) 87 ITR 349 (SC) Sarogi Credit Corporation V. CIT (1976) 103 ITR 344 (Pat)
28.  (xxix) Commissioner of Income Tax V. Shiv Dhooti Pearls & Investments Ltd (2015) 64 Taxmann.com 329 (Delhi)
29. Nemichand Kothari CIT (2003) 264 ITR 254 (GUJ)
30. Modi Creations (P) Ltd ITO (2013) 354 ITR 282 (Delhi)
31. Kale Khan Hanif V. CIT (1963) 50 ITR 1 (SC)
32. CIT United Commercial and Industrial Co (P) Ltd (1991) 187 ITR 596 (Cal)
33. CIT Precision Finance (P) Ltd (1994) 208 ITR 465 (Cal)
34. CIT Lachman Dass Oswal (1980) 126 ITR 446 (P & H)
35. Jiyajirao Cotton Mills Ltd CIT & EPT (1958) 34 ITR 888 (SC)
36. CIT V. Sakarlal Balabhai (1968) 69 ITR 186 (Guj) affirmed by Han’ble Supreme Court in CIT Sakarlal Balabhai (1972) 86 ITR 2 (SC)
37. Dowell & Co., Ltd V. CTO (1985) 154 ITR 148 (SC)
38. DCIT, Circle-16(1), Hyderabad Madhusudan Rao (2015) 57 Taxmann.com 262 (Hyd-Trib)
39. (Gulshan Verma V. DCIT. Yamunanagar (2015) 61 Taxmann.com 178 (Chandigarh-Trib)
40. (Sahara India Financial Corporation Ltd V. DCIT, Central Circle-6, New Delhi (2014) 41 Taxmann.com 251 (Delhi-Trib)
41. CIT V. (i) Oasis Hospitalities (P) Ltd, (ii) UP Bone Mills India Ltd,
42. Vijay Powers Generators Ltd
43. CIT V. Dolphin Canpack Ltd (2006) 283 ITR 190 (Delhi)
44. CIT and Another V. ASK Brothers Ltd (2011) 333 ITR 111 (Kar)
45. CIT V. Value Capital Services (P) Ltd (2008) 307 ITR 334 (Delhi)

• The A.R. finally submitted that in this case the assessee company has proved the identity of the investor with confirmation letters from the investor. Further the genuineness of the transaction is established as assessee company has furnished that all transactions are though banking channel, FIRC’s and communication with Reserve Bank of India as per the RBI Guidelines  under  the  FEMA. The department is harping on the investors source of investment in share capital who was a Non-Resident and Non-Citizen of India. The company has established  the source of investment in share capital has come from Mr. Samyak Veera. This  is not disputed  by the Assessing Officer. The only issue on which the Assessing Officer is harping is that personal Balance Sheet and fund flow of Mr. Samyak Veera is not provided. It  is not the responsibility of the company to call for such details from the  investor  in share capital. The  transaction of  investment  is  in  the  form of Foreign Currency, which has been received through in banking channels. The receipt of Foreign currency by the Indian Company is subjected to verification by the Reserve Bank of India as per the FEMA / FDI guidelines. As such expecting the company to prove beyond the source of source of Mr. Samyak Veera is not responsibility of the company. Under these  circumstances  the  addition  U/s.68 of the Act deserves to be deleted.

• The A.R. prayed to consider these facts and various ratios laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and various High Courts in number of cases and requested to dismiss the appeals filed by the revenue.

1. We have heard the rival submissions and perused the materials available on record. In the present case, Shri Samyak C. Veera has invested to the tune of Rs.53341067 USD in various companies from assessment year 2007-08, 2010-11 & 2012-13. Shri Samyak C. Veera is residing abroad during the relevant time. The Ld. CIT(A) has observed that remittance towards share capital were issued from the banking channels from outside the country. The copies of bank accounts proved the identity of remitter and also the source of the remittance. The onus cast on the assessee has been discharged and the transactions are genuine. Being so, there was no reason to believe that the income chargeable to tax has escaped The fact that the remitter being a proclaimed tax offender in USA does not prove that he does not have any sources. On the contrary, it is the case of the authorities in USA that the remitter has substantial income but no tax paid. This information cannot form a basis to believe to prove that the remitter has enough sources. Before us, assessee furnished its written submissions along with following documents:-

1. Copy of Standard Chartered Bank account No.88-7- 008167-0 of Shri Samyak Veera showing the deposit and withdrawal from that account. (PB 59-61)
2. Copies of FIRC in support of remittance (PB 62-63)
3. Confirmation dated 7.2008 from VP Bank confirming the KYC of Shri Samyak C. Veera (PB 64)

4. Copies of US IT Returns of Shri Samyak Veera for the AYs 2000-01 to 2006-07 (PB 65-107)

• Thus, according to the Ld. A.R., these financial statements along with bank accounts of Shri Samyak C. Veera explain the capacity of the remitter, the person who remit the amount to the assessee.

• On the other hand, D.R. submitted that merely producing the bank accounts does not discharge onus of the creditors if the capacity or creditworthiness of the creditor is not proved. He submitted that the assessee company has not filed any evidence regarding the sources of Shri Samyak C. Veera. The Ld. D.R. also submitted that when the department started enquiry specifically to satisfy the sources of income of Shri Samyak C. Veera, it has came to the knowledge of the department that he has incurred huge loss of 56 Million US Dollars whereas his net income over period of 6 preceding years was only 3.3 Million US dollars and he is not in a position to invest such a huge amount in these companies. According to him, the enquiry by AO shows that the entries shown by the assessee are not genuine and the same represent credit entry which is to be treated as income of assessee. But in our opinion, the satisfaction of AO must not be illusory or imaginary but must have been derived from the relevant facts and evidence and on the basis of proper enquiry of all material before him. In our opinion, the assessee is required to offer explanation about the nature and sources thereof and the explanation so offered should be satisfactory in the opinion of the AO. In the present case, there is no doubt regarding the identity of the party from whom assessee received money. This has been proved by the assessee by furnishing necessary evidence in support of the identity  of the  parties. He  is an NRI and he is having a bank account with Standard Chartered Bank and the money has been moved from this account to the assessee’s bank account. The income generation by Shri Samyak Veera has been deposited into Standard Chartered Bank account. However, the AO was of the opinion that the sources available to him is not sufficient to cover the remittance made by him to the assessee. In other words, according to AO, the generation of income in the hands of Shri Samyak C. Veera was also to be established. The AO wants to prove the Sources of Source, in our opinion, it is not at all required u/s 68 of the Act as the provisions of explanation of Sources of Sources are not applicable in the case of NRI. It is further noted that the entire share application money was transferred through banking channel. In the hands of the assessee the money stood transferred from the bank account of Shri Samyak C. Veera in Standard Chartered Private Bank, Singapore to Indian Bank. It is evidenced from page 62 from the following certificate issued by the Indian Bank, which reproduced hereunder:-

Doc1

This confirmation letter was also produced by the assessee before the authorities.

• Thus, to summarize, assessee furnished all the supporting documents to prove the genuineness of the amount received by the assessee in the form of share capital and share premium. Further, as per CBDT Circular No.5 dated 20.2.1969, which reads as follows:-

“Money brought into India by non-resident for investment or other purposes is not liable to Indian Income-tax. Therefore, there is no question of a remittance into the country being subjected to Income-tax in India (Para 2). If the money has been brought into India through banking channels or in the form of assets like plant and machinery or stock-in-trade, for which the necessary import permits had been obtained, no question at all are asked by the ITOs as to the origin of the money or assets brought in (Para 3).”

 

• It is pertinent to mention that in ITAT Delhi Bench order dated 12th April 2013 in the case of Russian Technology Centre (P) Ltd. vs DCIT, Circle – 13, New Delhi (ITA 4932, 4933, 5390 & 5391/Del/2011) wherein the bench observed as under:-

‘’13……In our considered opinion the conflict between the provisions is only with reference to the onus and not to the issue of taxability of income. The onus is shifted under ss. 68 or 69 only with reference to the income which is otherewise taxable in the hands of non-resident under section 5(2). Therefore, the issue whether the income of non-resident is taxable or not is still to be decided with reference to the provisions of section 5(2) and the provisions of section 68 or 69 cannot enlarge the scope of section 5(2). What is not taxable under section 5(2) cannot be taxed under the provisions of section 68 or 69. Under sections 5(2), the income accruing or arising outside India is not taxable unless it is received in India. Similarly, if any income is already received outside India, the same cannot be taxed in India merely on the ground that it is brought in India by way of remittances. Reference can be made to the judgement of Supreme Court in the case of Kehsav Mills Ltd. (supra). If such income is shown in the books of account then it cannot be taxed in India merely because the assessee is unable to prove the source of such entry. For example, there may be appearing an entry of cash credit in the name of a person of USA by way of loan received through cheque and deposited in the bank account maintained at any city in USA. Such money, being received outside India, cannot be taxed under section 5(2) unless it is proved that such money is relatable to the income accrued or arising in India. Therefore, the same cannot be taxed under secton 68 merely on the ground that assessee fails to prove the genuineness and source of such cash credit. Therefore, we are of the considered view that the provisions of section 68 or 69 would be applicable in the case of nonresident only with reference to those amounts whose origin of source can be located in India. Therefore, the provisions of section 68 or or 69, in our opinion, have limited application in the case of nonresident.”

• The Hon’ble Delhi High Court vide judgement dated 15-12- 2016 on the similar issue in the case of CIT vs Russian Technology Centre (P) (ITA No.547, 549, 555/2013) wherein the Hon’ble High Court affirmed the judgement of the Tribunal by holding as under:-

9. “It then concluded that 

“15. Next ground for AY 2005-06 pertains to addition of Rs.5 lacs bing unsecured loans received by the assessee from M/s. Claridges SEZ Pvt. Ltd., as assessing officer held that creditworthiness of M./s. CSEZ was not established as the assessee had not produced the bank statements.

17. We have heard rival contentions and perused the relevant material on record. We find merit in the arguments of Id. Counsel that CSEZ also being searched on the same date and the seized record being with the department, department could have verified the same from its record. The interest of justice will be served if the issue is remitted back to the file of assessing officer to verify from the seized record about the bank statement of CSEZ and decide the issue after giving the assessee fair and reasonable opportunity of being heard. The assessee may be allowed to submit necessary evidence in this behalf. This ground of the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.

22. We have heard rival contentions. From the orders of both the lower authorities, the names of the persons whose interest payment has been disallowed, has not been given. Besides, we have deleted additions made u/s 68 in respect of above parties. In the absence of the details about disallowance of interest, it will not be possible for us to adjudicate this ground. Therefore, we set aside the issue of interest of Rs.7,54,797/- back to the file of assessing officer to decide the same afresh, considering our conclusion on applicability of sec. 68, commencement of business in 2007- 08, after giving the assessee reasonable opportunity of being heard. In view of above, this ground is allowed for statistical purposes.”
23. The learned counsel for the assessee relied upon the judgment of this Court in Commissioner of Income Tax Divine Leasing & Finance Ltd.2008 (299) ITR 268 (Del.) to contend that the assessee had furnished all relevant documents which should have been considered to prove the creditworthiness of the creditor/subscriber and the genuineness of the transactions.

11. In Divine Leasing & Filance ‘s case (supra), this Court had held as under:-

“13. There cannot be two opinions on the aspect that the pernicious practice of conversion of unaccounted money through the masquerade or channel of investment in the share capital of a company must be firmly excoriated by the revenue. Equally, where the preponderance of evidence indicates absence of culpability and complexity of the assessee it should not be harassed by the Revenue’s insistence that it should prove the negative. In the case of a public issue. the Company concerned cannot be expected to know every detail pertaining to the identity as well as financial worth of each of its subscribers. The Company must, however, maintain and make available to the Assessing Officer for his perusal, all the information contained in the statutory share application documents. In the case of private placement the legal regime would not be the same. A delicate balance must be maintained while walking the tightrope of sections 68 and 69 of the IT Act. The burden of proof can seldom be discharged to the hilt by the assessee: if the Assessing Officer harbours doubts of the legitimacy of any subscription he is empowered, nay duty- bound, to carry out thorough investigations. But if the Assessing Officer fails to unearth any wrong or illegal dealings, he cannot obdurately adhere to his suspicions and treat the subscribed capital as the undisclosed income of the Company.

16. In this analysis, a distillation of the precedents yields the following propositions of law in the context of Section 68 of the Income Tax act. The assessee has to prima facie prove (1) the identity of the creditor/subscriber; (2) the genuineness of the transaction, namely: whether it has been transmitted through banking or other indisputable channels: (3) the creditworthiness or financial strength of the creditor/subscriber: (4) If relevant details of the address or PAN identity of the creditor/subscriber are furnished to the Department along with copies of the Shareholders Register, Share Application Forms, Share Transfer Register etc. it would constitute acceptable proof or acceptable explanation by the assessee. (5) The Department would not be justified in drawing an adverse inference only because the creditor/subscriber fails or neglects to respond to its notices: (6) the onus would not. stand discharged if the creditor/subscriber denies or repudiates the transaction set up by the assessee nor should the Assessing Officer take such repudiation at face value and construe it, without more, against the assessee. (7) The Assessing Officer is duty-bound to investigate the creditworthiness of the creditor/subscriber the genuineness of the transaction and the veracity of the repudiation”

12. The preceding enumeration of the circumstances of the case show that the assessee had furnished all relevant data before the AO and the CIT(A), which, however, were not inquired into by the Instead he obdurately adhered to his first impression and/or initial understanding that the entire transaction was neither creditworthy nor genuine. The assessee relied upon the documents to prove that the monies had been received through banking channels from its principal and other related companies; it had submitted the FIPB Approval dated 10.12.2005 authorizing the assessee company to raise capital upto ‘600 crores, copy of certificates of incorporation of share holders, copy of bank statement, copy of Form 2 filed before ROC, copies of Certificates of (i) Incorporation of RTCHL, (ii) Incumbency of RTCHL, (iii) Good Standing of RTCHL, (iv) Director Certificate of RTCHL as well as the Balance Sheet of RTCHL for the years 2004-05 and the confirmation given by the remitters towards remittance of share capital etc. This was all that the assessee could have furnished in the circumstances. It could not be expected to prove the negative that the monies received by it were suspicious or not genuine infusion of capital etc. The assessee had discharged its burden of proof in terms of the settled dicta in  Divine Leasing (supra). It is only logical to expect that if the AO was not convinced about the genuineness of the said documents, he would have inquired into their veracity from the bank(s) to ascertain the truth of the assessee’s claims. Having not done so, he was not justified in disregarding the assessee’s contentions that the infusion of monies into its accounts was legitimate. Consequently, the AO was not justified in making additions of the various sums under Section 68 of the Act.
13. In view of the above, this Court is of the view that the conclusion of the Tribunal in deleting the additions made cannot be faulted. Accordingly, the questions of law are answered against the Revenue and in favour of the The order of the Tribunal is, therefore, affirmed.”

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court in the case of CIT vs M/s. Peoples General Hospital (MAIT No. 27/2008 dated 27 June 2013) wherein the Hon’ble Court dismissed the appeals of the Revenue as to the matter of proving the identity and creditworthiness of the person providing share application money. The relevant observation of the Hon’ble Court is as under:-

‘’16. The aforesaid judgement has been followed by all the judgements relied on by the appellants relates to the period prior to the judgement of Lovely Exports. As the Apex Court has specifically held that if the identity of the person providing share application money is established then the burden was not on the assessee to prove the creditworthiness of the said person. The position of the present case is identical. It is not the case of any of the parties that M/s. Alliance Industries Limited, Sharjah is a bogus company or a non-existent company and the amount which was subscribed by the said company by way of share subscription was in fact the money of the respondent assessee. In the present case, the assessee had established the identity of investor who had provided the share subscription and it was established that the transaction was genuine though as per contention of the respondent the creditworthiness of the creditor was also established. In the present case, in the light of the judgement of Lovely Exports (P) Ld., we have to see only in respect of the establishment of the identity of the investor. The Delhi High Court also in Divine Leasing & Finance Ltd. (supra) considering the similar question held that the assessee company having received subscription to the public/ rights through banking channels and furnished complete details of the shareholders, no addition could be made under section 68 in the absence of any positive material or evidence to indicate that the shareholders were benamidars or fictitious persons or that part of the share capital represented company’s own income from undisclosed sources. The similar view has been taken by the High Courts.

17. As the Apex Court has considered the law in Lovely Exports (Supra) and in view of the law laid down by the Apex Court, we find that the substantial questions framed in these appeals do not arise for our consideration. Accordingly, all these appeals are dismissed with order as to

• Lastly the ITAT Hyderabad Bench in the case of DCIT, Circle – 6, Hyderabad vs Shri Madhusudan Rao (ITA No.1482/Hyd/2014 dated 18-03-2015) in which the Bench dismissed the appeal of the Revenue by holding as under:-

“10. We have considered the rival contentions, perused the documents placed on record and the orders of the authorities. First of all we are unable to understand how Assessing Officer can consider inward remittance of moneys into NRI A/c of a non-resident Indian as income of assessee as unexplained. Assessee in the course of assessment proceedings furnished enough evidences in support of inward remittance of funds including a certificate from M/s. Vitrual International Ltd., about the source of funds being loan. If Assessing Officer has any doubt about the said company in Mauritius, he cannot reject the genuineness of the said company without making necessary enquiries either through the internal mechanism of foreign tax division of CBDT or by any other means. Just because the certificate furnished does not have any seal, the same cannot be rejected outright. However, the matter did not end there. Assessing Officer took pains to verify from the internet and also from the website of the SEBI and came to the conclusion that the said company is one of the group companies of assessee listed as persons constituting group under Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 and further noticed from the red herring prospectus of M/s. Lanco Infratech Limited, wherein this company was shown as single shareholder company of assessee as on 29-07-2006. This means the existence of the company is accepted by the authorities, not only by SEBI and other statutory authorities but even by the Assessing Officer, as can be seen from the enquiries conducted. We are unable to understand how the Revenue could raise ground on existence of the above company in Ground No.7 about the identity of the company when Assessing Officer himself acknowledged the same in the assessment order.

11. Coming to the creditworthiness of the amount, assessee’s explanation is that the amounts were transferred from his own bank account in Mauritius to the NRI account in India. Therefore, the immediate source of funds is his own account from Mauritius which is not disputed. If funds are received into Mauritius account, then that becomes source of the source which cannot be examined by Assessing Officer, unless there is any incriminating Except presumptions and allegations, virtually there is no evidence against assessee that these funds received into his bank account in Mauritius are his own incomes from India or ’round trip’ funds of assessee as alleged. Therefore, all the grounds raised on this issue, particularly Ground No.10 & 11 does not require any consideration on the facts of the case.

12. Coming to the issue of creditworthiness of the above said company, there is no dispute with reference to the It has its own funds and Ld. CIT(A) took pains to examine and hold that it is creditworthy. Nothing was brought on record to counter the findings of Ld. CIT(A), except contending that the order of the CIT(A) is not correct. Therefore, the ground regarding creditworthiness of the company particularly from Ground No.6 to 10 also does not require any consideration.

13. One of the issues to be considered is whether the admission of additional evidence by assessee at the directions of CIT(A) required to be sent to Assessing Officer under Rule 46A(1). It is not assessee who furnished the additional evidence. Therefore, it cannot be strictly considered as additional evidence under Rule CIT has co- terminus powers as that of Assessing Officer as far as appeals before him are concerned. In fact, he even had enhancement powers, if Assessing Officer has missed out bringing into tax any amounts. He also has powers of enquiry and investigation. Therefore, the CIT(A) if exercises his powers as an Assessing Officer, there is no need to give an opportunity to the Assessing Officer who passed the assessment order under Rule 46A. The action of the CIT(A) is completely justified and is in line with the judicial pronouncements in DCIT Circle-16(1), Hyderabad Vs. NE Technologies India (P) Ltd., [47 , 405 (Hyderabad-Trib)] and ITO Vs. Industrial Road Ways [112 ITD 293 (Mumbai-Trib)]. In the case of ITO Vs. Industrial Road Ways (supra), the co-ordinate bench has held as under:

“Having regard to the provisions of Part A of Chapter XX relating to the appeals before the first appellate authority, a distinction has to be made between the evidence and material voluntarily furnished by an assessee in support of his appeal and the evidence/material requisitioned from an assessee by the first appellate authority with a view to have proper disposal of proceedings before him. While the provisions of rule 46A apply to the former, the same have no application to the latter. {Para 4]

Provision of rule 46A enjoins upon the first appellate authority not to admit any fresh evidence unless he records in writing his reasons for its admission. Further, rule 46A enjoins upon him to provide the Assessing Officer with a reasonable opportunity to examine the fresh evidence or to cross examine the witness produced by the assessee or to produce any evidence or document or any witness ill rebuttal of the additional evidence produced by the assessee. {Para 5}

The provisions of section 250(4), cm the other hand, empower the first appellate authority to make such further enquiry as he thinks fit or to direct the Assessing Officer to make further enquiry and report the result of the same. There are many judgments to the effect that in view of the provisions of section 250(4), the first appellate authority is duty bound to make an enquiry even if such an enquiry was not made by the Assessing Officer if the facts and circumstances of the case warrant such an enquiry to be made. It, therefore, follows that the matters to be considered by the first appellate authority need not be confined to what was considered by the Assessing Officer while making the order appealed against. {Para 6]

There are of course several judgments whcre it has clearly been laid down that the assessee on his own cannot produce any additional evidence not furnished before the Assessing Officer without meeting the various conditions provided under rule 46A for which satisfaction is to be recorded by the appellate authority in writing and with which the appellate authority is further required to confront the Assessing Officer and allow him a reasonable opportunity to have his say in the matter. [Para 9]

From the various authorities of courts, the legal position is that the first appellate authority has wide powers over the order of assessment appealed against before him. In the course of exercise of such power the first appellate authority can direct the assessee to produce any evidence, information or material that was not produced before or was not considered by the Assessing Officer.

The purpose of rule 46A is to place fetters on the rights of an appellant to produce additional evidence before the first appellate authority and not on the rights of the first appellate authority to call for production of any fresh evidence or information. This aspect of the provisions of rule 46A is clear from the provisions of sub-rule (4) of rule 46A itself that nothing contained in rule 46A shall affect the power of the first appellate authority to direct the production of any document or to examine any witness to enable him to dispose of the appeal or for any other substantial cause including the enhancement of the assessment or penalty (whether on his own motion or on the request of the Assessing Officer).[(Para 13]

In the instant case, the entire additional evidence had come on the record of the Commissioner (Appeals) because he had decided to examine the facts of the case in depth and then adjudicate upon the matter on the basis of evidence and material, thus, gathered. The Commissioner (Appeals) was empowered to do so under the provisions of section 250(4). The result of enquiry conducted by him could either go to further cement the case made out by the Assessing Officer or to help out the assessee against the findings of the Assessing Officer. The mere fact that the results of the enquiries thus conducted supported the case of the assessee and not that of the revenue, it has no bearing on the jurisdiction and powers of the Commissioner (Appeals). The Commissioner (Appeals) could have confronted the Assessing Officer with the evidence thus received and the material thus gathered and allowed the Assessing Officer to have his say in the matter and perhaps had he done so the dispute in question would not have arisen. But there is no requirement, in law, that the Commissioner (Appeals) should invariably consult or confront the Assessing Officer every time an additional evidence that was not before the Assessing Officer comes on the record of the Commissioner (Appeals). Where the additional evidence is obtained by the first appellate authority on its own motion, there is no requirement, in law, to consult/confront the Assessing Officer with such additional evidence. There may be cases where additional evidence is admitted by the first appellate authority on a request or application made by the assessee. In such cases sub-rule (2) of rule 46A requires the first appellate authority to allow the Assessing Officer a further opportunity to rebut the fresh evidence filed by the assessee. Even that requirement cannot be said to be a rule of universal application. If the additional evidence furnished by the assessee before the first appellate authority is in the nature of a clinching evidence leaving no further room for any doubt or controversy, in such a case no useful purpose would be served by performing the ritual of forwarding the evidence/material to the Assessing Officer to obtain his report. In such exceptional circumstances the requirement of sub-rule (3) may be dispensed with. [Para 14]

Therefore, there was no infirmity in the impugned order of the Commissioner (Appeals) who had taken pains to comprehensively examine the issue before him and arrive at a correct finding of fact and he should be congratulated for having done so. Therefore, his order was to be upheld and the appeals were to be dismissed. [Para 15].

14. In this case CIT(A) requisitioned the evidence to examine the Therefore, the grounds raised from Ground No.3 to 6 on the issue of additional evidence are infructuous and does not require any consideration.

15. Therefore, on the facts of the case, it is to be admitted that assessee having his own funds abroad has remitted the amount to India and this inward remittance cannot be considered as unaccounted income of assessee for the year under consideration.

16. Revenue has raised various grounds on the legal principles. We are of the opinion that these are all misplaced or wrongly applied to the facts of the case. First of all, assessee being a non-resident invoking the provisions of Section 68 & 69 has its own Even though, the credits are to be examined u/s.68 and 69, 69A or 69C prima facie these sections are not applicable in the case of assessee for the following reasons.

Section	Explanation for non applicability of Section
68:             Unexplained Cash Credit	The assessee has merely transferred his own money  from  his   account   in   Barclays   Bank, Mauritius to NRI A/c held in Axis Bank and Indusind bank. As  he  transferred  the  amount  from  his   own   bank a/c.    Therefore, the question of unexplained credit will not come.
69:             Unexplained Investment	The   amount   of   Rs.78,04,58,374/-    does    not represent any investment, it is the assessee own money transferred from outside India a/c to Indian NRI A/c. Therefore, Unexplained Investment does not attracts.
69A:             Unexplained Money	The amount of Rs.78,04,58,374/- is the credit appearing in the capital account of the assessee. The money transferred from his own foreign bank a/c to his own NRI A/c in India.                                                                                     This will not attract unexplained money.
69C:             Unexplained Expenditure	This section will not attract as no expenditure is involved.

17. Reference to the Board circular by Assessing Officer is also not correct as the same was extracted and was discussed in detail by the CIT(A). One cannot quote out the context to take a different meaning of the general circular issued by the Board. Ld.CIT(A) having examined that the principles laid down by the Board circular are clearly applicable to the facts of the case, we do not see any merit in Ground No.15 raised by Revenue unless it is established that assessee has earned income in India or received in India. Provisions of Section 5 does not permit taxation of amounts remitted to India from sources outside India which are not incomes under the provisions of the Act. This issue was discussed elaborately by the co-ordinate bench in the case of DCIT Vs. Finlay Corporation Ltd., [86 ITD 626], Delhi, wherein it was held as under:

“The issue whether the income of non-resident is taxable or not is still to be decided with reference to the provisions of section 5(2) and, the provisions of Section 68 or 69 cannot enlarge the scope of section 5(2). What is not taxable under section 5(2) cannot be taxed under the provisions of section 68 or section 69. Under section 5(2) the income accruing or arising outside India is not taxable unless it is received in India. Similarly, if any income is already received outside India, the same cannot be taxed in India merely on the ground that it is brought in India by way of remittances. Reference can be made to the judgment of Supreme Court in the case of Keshav Mills Ltd. V. CIT (1953) 23 ITR 230 (Supreme Court of India) if such income is shown in the books of account then it cannot be taxed in India merely because the assessee is unable to prove the source of such entry. For example, there may be appearing an entry of cash credit in the name of a person of USA by way of loan received through cheque and deposited in the bank account maintained at any city in USA. Such money being received outside India cannot be taxed under section 5(2) unless it is proved that such money is relatable to the income accrued or arising in India. Therefore, the same cannot be taxed under section 68 merely on the ground that the assessee fails to prove the genuineness and source of such cash credit. Therefore, we are of the considered view that the provisions of Section 68 or 69 would be applicable in the case of non-resident only with reference to those amounts whose origin of source can be located in India. Therefore, the provisions of section 68 or 69, in our opinion, have limited application in the case of nonresident.”

18. Likewise, in the case of Susila Ramasamy V. ACIT, Central Circle – II(2), Chennai [008 ITR (Trib) 18 (Chennai)], Chennai Bench has held as under:

“A non-resident person having  money  in  foreign  country could not be called upon to pay income tax on that money in India. The reason is obvious because in respect of that money it will not be possible for the AO to say it was either received by him in India, or it was deemed to be received by him  in India, or it accrued to him in India, or it  arose  to  him  in India, or it is deemed to accrue to him in  India,  or  it  is deemed to arise to him in India. [para 14.1]. if a non resident person, having money in  a  foreign  country,  brings  that money to India, through a banking channel, he  cannot  be called upon to pay income tax on  that money in India, firstly, for the reasons stated above and secondly, because the remittance of money into India through banking channel will make, the onus on the assessee under section 69, discharged. [Para 14.2]. Once an amount is received as income, any remittance or transmission of that amount to another  place does not result in receipt  once again  at  other  place,  within the meaning of section 5. Therefore, if certain income,  profits or gains  was  received by  the  assessee outside  India it does not become chargeable to income tax in India  by  reason  of that money having been brought into  India. This is because what is chargeable is the first receipt of the money and not a subsequent dealing by the assessee with the  said  money.  In that event the money is brought by the assessee as his own money which he had already received and had control over it and it does not take the character of  income,  profits and gains after being brought  into  India.  [Para  14.3].  There could of course be a situation  where  a  non-resident  has money in India, transmits it to a foreign country then brings it back to India through a banking channel. If this circular motion of the money  is  conclusively  proved  with  evidence then the non resident will surely do the, explaining  under section 69, despite the money having been brought into India through banking channel. But merely on suspicions or doubts, conjectures or surmises, no inference can  be  drawn  against the  assessee.  It is trite  law that there  can be no presumption in favor of any illegality of a transaction. In fact the presumption is the other way about. [Para  14.4]. In  the cases of remittances through  banking  channel  the  nature  and source of the funds get explained and the onus on the assessee under section 69 gets discharged, and consequently such remittances cannot be  taxed  under  section  5(2)  (b). Therefore, the argument of the revenue that, in  the  present case, the impugned money was taxable under section 5(2)(b) read with section 69, on the facts, as no merit and cannot be accepted. [para 14.6]. But, the position will  be  entirely different if the money has been brought into India otherwise than through banking channel, because in that  case  the onus on the assessee under section 69 will not stand discharged. In such a case the provisions of section 5(2)(b) read  with section 69 will surely be attracted. [Para  14.  7].  In  the present case, the AO while relying on the CBDT circular, has committed an error of reproducing in his order from Para 4 of the circular, which does not apply to  the  remittances through banking channels. He should have applied the Para 2 and first part of Para 3 of the circular. In the circumstances, therefore, his  order  has  no merit and  cannot be sustained.[Para 15.4]. The assessee, who is a non resident brought money into India through banking channel and the manner in which this money was utilized in  India is described in the Annexure. It has been observed that  because  of  the mode of banking channel, admittedly, used for  the  remittance in this case, the onus on the assessee under section 69 stood discharged, and therefore it was not taxable in India under section 5(2)(b). The CBDT  circular  squarely  supports  the case of the assessee. The fact that the transactions and events narrated in the Annexure look curious and suspicious makes no difference to the conclusions that have been drawn in this case, as per law. [Para 16.2]”

‘’19. In view of the legal principles as stated above, provisions of section 5(2) are also not applicable as the amount received is from assessee’s own account outside India and no income has accrued or arisen in India. These funds were also received through banking channel with necessary statutory approvals. Therefore, assessee has proved the source of receipts and discharged the onus. It is the Revenue which failed in proving that this amount is unexplained income of assessee. In view of these facts of the case, we are of the opinion that various case laws relied on by the Revenue does not apply and they are clearly distinguishable. In view of this, we have no hesitation in upholding the order of the CIT(A) and rejecting the Revenue’s grounds.”

• Thus, in our opinion, money has been credited into India through banking channel and the assessee as per  Circular  5 dated 20.2.1969 the money brought into India by non-resident for investment or other purpose is not liable to Indian Income Tax in the hands of the present assessee. Further, the Coordinate bench in the case of M/s. Jaico Realtors Pvt. Ltd. cited (supra) has held as under:-

5. “ We have considered the rival First of all, we reproduce para no. 6 from the assessment order because we find that in this para, the AO has noted the loss and income declared by the remitter during Calendar year 2000 to 2006. This para reads as under.
6. During the course of assessment, the assessee was asked to prove the genuineness of the transaction along with the relevant documentary evidences. The assessee has informed that the assessee company has received investments towards share capital and share premium from Sri Samyak C Veera, who is a non-resident and the funds are received in foreign exchange through banking The assesses has furnished copies of the FIRC, foreign bank statement of theremitting share holder and copies of income tax returns for period ended31.12.2000, 31.12.2001, 31.3.2002 and the Closing Agreement on Final Determination Covering Specific Matters for these years in Form 906, issued on31.10.2011 by the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, USA. The assessee has furnished the income details of Sri Samyak C Veera as per US Tax returns, as here below:

Year	Income as per US Tax returns in $
2000	14,396,216
2001	16,410,419
2002	29,114,644

2003	Income as reported – (-)53,416,406 (Gross      income     4,183,594      –      Losses 57,600,000)
2004	Income as reported – (-) 1,643,264 (Gross income 41,471- Losses 1,684,735)
2005	Income as reported – 19,075 (Gross income 22,075 – Losses 3,000)
2006	Income as reported – (-) 1,568,428 (Gross income 77,836 – Losses 1,650,264)

6. From the figures noted by the AO in this para of assessment order, it is seen that the total income reported during this period i.e. in four calendar years e. 2000,2001,2002 and 2005 is to the extent of $ 5,99,40,354 and the loss reported by the remitter in the years 2003,2004 and 2006 was to the extent of $ 5,66,28,098 and even after adjusting the losses in the subsequent years, the net income of the remitter is seen to be $ 33,12,256 whereas the remittance by him to the present assessee in the present year is only $1,000,006.53. Hence it is seen that the net income after adjusting losses incurred by the remitter in the calendar years 2003,2004 and 2006 also, the net income was many times more than the amount of remittance received by the assessee from this remitter. Regarding the applicability of the judgment of Hon’ble Apex Court rendered in the case of Pr. CIT Vs. NRA Iron & Steel Pvt. Ltd. (supra), we find that in that case, the shares in question were issued at a very high premium at Rs. 190/- per share, even though the face value of the share was Rs. 10/- per share whereas in the present case, the premium received is only Rs. 50/- per share as against the face value of shares at Rs. 100/- per share. Hence the amount of such premium is 50% of the face value in question in the present case whereas the amount of premium in that case was 19 times of the face value of shares. It is also seen that in that case, it is noted by Hon’ble Apex Court in para 9 of the judgment that the AO made an independent and detailed enquiry, including survey of the so called investor companies from Mumbai, Kolkata and Guwahati to verify the credit-worthiness of the parties, the source of funds invested, and the genuineness of the transactions and the field reports revealed that the share-holders were either non-existent or lacked credit- worthiness. In the present case, this is not the case of the AO that the remitter is non-existent and the only objection of the AO is this that in view of losses incurred by that remitter in the years 2003, 2004 and 2006, the credit- worthiness of the remitter is in doubt. But we have seen that even after reducing the amount of losses incurred by the remitter in these three years i.e. 2003, 2004 and 2006, the remitters was having net income of $ 33,12,256 during the period from 01.01.2000 to 31.12.2006 and the assessee has received remittance of only $ 10 Lakhs approx. Under these facts, in our considered opinion, this judgment of Hon’ble Apex Court rendered in the case of Pr. CIT Vs. NRA Iron & Steel Pvt. Ltd. (supra) is not applicable in the present case.

7. Now we reproduce para 4 from the order of CIT(A) which is available on page nos. 35 to 39 of the order of CIT(A). This para reads as under.

“5.4 I have considered the grounds of appeal and also the submissions filed by the appellant. I have also considered the ratios laid down in the various decisions and relied upon by the appellant. The grounds of the appellant are disposed off as under: –

GROUNDS 2, 3 & 4

The only issue involved in these grounds of appeal is the addition of Rs.4,06,98,779/-brought to tax by invoking the provisions of section 68 of the act. As brought out in the facts the amount represents share capital introduced by Sri. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera a nonresident, non-citizen in the appellant company.

The submissions of the appellant have been considered. All the documents furnished during the course of hearing by the AR of the appellant and also his oral arguments have been considered.

The funds remitted by Mr. Samyak Chandrakant Veera towards the share capital is as under:

Originating country	Date Of remittance	Amount in US$	Relevant F. Y.	Remitter details	Source         of Bank account
USA	06.06.2007	9,99,970	2007-08	Samayakant Veera	JP Morgan, Chase Bank
Total		9,99,970

It is a decided position of law that, in respect of cash credits brought into the books, the onus ison the assessee to prove the following.

1. Identity of the creditor
2. Genuineness of the transaction
3. Credit worthiness of the creditor

After examining the documents produced by the appellant during the course of assessment of which the copies were produced before the undersigned and considering the submissions of the appellant’s representative, the findings on the above three issues are as under:

–

1. Identity of the creditor

In support of the identity of the creditor, the Income Tax returns of the creditor which was filed in United States of America has been produced, wherein USA Social Security no. and the citizen ship of the person has been disclosed. Further, the investigation wing of the department also verified the fact.

The Assessing Officer has not given any findings against the identity of the creditor and has accepted the identity of the creditor.

As far as the identity of the creditor is concerned there is no dispute.

2. Genuineness of the transaction

The transactions are through banking channels. Copy of the foreign bank account through which the amounts have been remitted to the bank account of the appellant company has been furnished. The appellant has also furnished the Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates issued by recipient bank in support of the transaction. The FIRCs certificates clearly indicates, name of the remitter, the fund transferred from which country, from which bank and recipient bank as detailed below.

Name of the remitter	Date Of remittance	Amount in US$	Indian Rs.	Receivi ng bank	Remitting bank
					JP Morgan
Sri Samayakanth Veera	06.06.2007	999970	4,06,98,779/-	Indian Bank	Chase Bank, NA, New York NY

The appellant company has also intimated the Reserve Bank of India of the transaction.

These documents have been examined by me.

The Assessing Officer also does not dispute the genuineness of the transaction.

Under the circumstances, as far as the genuineness of the transaction is concerned there is no dispute.

3. Credit worthiness of the creditor

The only issue to be examined in the appeal is the credit worthiness of the shareholder.

The findings of the Assessing Officer in the assessment are only on this issue. The Assessing Officer states that, the sources of the creditor are not proved with supporting evidences. The Assessing Officer also states that, the appellant has not produced the statement of affairs and also the cash flow statement of the investor. Itis on these grounds that the Assessing Officer has concluded that, the creditworthiness of the creditor is not established and therefore the sources are not explained.

It is vehemently argued by the appellant’s representative that, it is not the appellant’s responsibility to produce the statement of affairs and also the cash flow statement of the investor. It is argued on behalf of the appellant that, copies of income tax returns of the investor Sri. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera was filed during the course of hearing. As per these returns the investor has huge income but claimed certain deductions which is eligible under the law of that country (USA). Such claim has been disallowed by the Inter Revenue Service of USA and assessed huge income which resulted in a huge tax demand. The fact that, substantial income is assessed is established. The fact of its taxability being under dispute also confirms that, the investor had enough of sources.

This fact is evident from form no.4549-A “Income Tax Discrepancy Adjustments” for the year ended 31.12.2000, 31.03.2001 & 31.03.2002, dated 06.09.2011 detailed asunder: –

Year ending	Income determined in US$	Rate of conversion to INR	Income         in Indian Rupees
31.12.2000	141,86,897	46.75	66,32,37,435
31.03.2001	164,10,419	48.18	79,06,53,987
31.03.2002	291,14,644	48.03	139,83,76,351
Total	59,11,960		285,22,67,773

The Closing agreement of final determination covering specific matters in form 906 of department of treasury – internal revenue service, dated 31.10.2011 duly signed by Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service & Annexure to such closing agreement also discloses various entities in which Mr. Samyak Chandrakant Veera has invested and income earned has been placed on records. As Mr. Samyaka Chandrakant Veera has not paid tax demanded as per investigation wing of the department and same has been informed to the Assessing Officer that, he is a tax defaulter in USA

It was argued by the AR that, the huge income earned by Mr. Samyak C Veera during those years was available with Mr. Samyak C Veera for investments till the disputes are closed in 2011

The Assessing Officer states that, the investment is in 2007-2008, whereas the evidences are for the years 2000, 2001 & 2002 and therefore without a cash flow it cannot be accepted that the investor had enough of sources.

The Assessing Officer has insisted on the cash flow and has concluded that, there were no sources to the investor for the A.Y.2008-09. The arguments of the appellant’s representative is that, the Assessing Officer has not made any further enquiries to find out the sources of the investor for the said year. It is pointed out by the AR of the appellant that, the foreign bank account copy of the investor was produced from which account the funds are remitted to the banks in India. Since the evidences in the form of bank accounts are furnished the Assessing Officer should not have rejected the appellant’s contention in a summary way without making enquiries on his own. The appellant had produced the bank accounts of the investor Mr. Samyak C Veera in support of the investment made. The entries were available in the said bank accounts. All the bank accounts are foreign bank accounts and the transactions are in the nature of interbank transfers. Instead the assessing Officer has directed the appellant to produce the cash flow of the investor, which is not in the realm and control of the investor, and thereafter giving a finding that, such cash flow was not furnished has concluded that the investor is not credit worthy.

I, find force in the argument of the appellant’s representative that, the appellant cannot be called upon to produce the cash flow statement of the investor. Since, the copy of the bank account has been produced it was for the Assessing Officer to make enquiries before arriving at conclusions.

In the light of the above facts, considering the impeccable evidences such as US Tax Returns, copies of bank account of the investor, intimation to RBI and also copy of FIRC, which have been perused and examined by me, I hold that, the appellant has proved the identity of the investor, the genuineness of the transaction and also prima facie the credit worthiness of the investor.

There is no basis for the Assessing Officer to conclude that, the credit worthiness of the investor is not established. The appellant has prima facie established the credit worthiness of the investor and therefore in the absence of any other evidence brought in by the Assessing Officer to prove the contrary, it has to be concluded that, the credit worthiness of the investor is also established.

In view of the above facts and submissions, I hold that prima facie the identity of the investor is established, the genuineness of the transaction proved and also the credit worthiness of the creditor established.

Under the circumstances, above, since the basic requirements for the provisions of section 68 of the act, were satisfied, there was no case for the Assessing Officer to invoke the provisions of section 68 of the act and consider the share capital of Rs.4,06,98,779/- as income of the appellant.

GROUNDS – 5 & 6

The grounds relate to the extent of proof that the appellant can be called upon to produce and the extent of onus cast on the appellant.

The appellant’s representative argues that, the following documents have been produced in support of the transactions.

1. Copies of FIRCs issued by the receiving
2. Copies of the foreign bank accounts in support of the moneys transferred.
3. Copy of the letter filed by the company for having received foreign inward remittances with RBI.
4. Copies of the Income Tax Returns filed in US by mr.Samyak Chandrakanth Veera.
5. Confirmation letter from Mr. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera.”

8. As per above discussion, we find that the only objection of the AO is this that the credit-worthiness of the investor is in doubt and this observation of the AO is on this basis alone that the investor has incurred huge losses in calendar years 2003, 2004 and 2006. But we have seen that even after reducing the losses incurred in these three years from the income earned by the investor in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005, net income of the investor comes to $ 33,12,256 as against remittance by him of only about $ 10 Lakhs. Hence in our considered opinion, the addition made by the AO is not justified simply on this basis that since the investor has incurred losses and the assessee has not furnished cash flow statement, there is no creditworthiness of the In our considered opinion, this objection of the AO is not valid for making addition of this huge amount particularly when the investor has remitted money from abroad through proper banking channel and even after adjusting or reducing the losses incurred by investor in three years i.e. 2003, 2004 and 2006 also, the remaining income of four years i.e. 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005 is more than three times of the remittance received by the present assessee from the investor abroad. Considering these facts, we find no reason to interfere in the order of CIT(A) on this issue.

9. In the result, the appeal of the revenue is ”

• In the present case, as discussed in earlier paras, the issue is with regard to onus on the assessee to prove the sources of sources of The onus is shifted under Sections 68 or 69 of the Act only with reference to the income, which is otherwise taxable in the hands of non-resident u/s 5(2) of the Act. Therefore, the taxability of the income is to be decided with reference to section 5(2) of the Act and provisions of sections 68 or 69 of the Act cannot enlarge the scope of section 5(2) of the Act. What is not taxable u/s 5(2) of the Act cannot be taxed under sections 68 or 69 of the Act. Under section 5(2) of the Act, the income accruing or arising outside India is not taxable unless it is received in India. Similarly, if any income is already received outside India, the same cannot be taxed in India merely on the ground that it is brought to India by way of remittance. If such income is shown in the books of accounts of the assessee as in the present case, if the assessee is unable to prove the source of such credit, cannot be taxed u/s 5(2) of the Act, unless it is proved  that such money is relatable to the income accrued or arising in India. In the present case, it is not the case of  department  that  such money has been accrued or arising in India. The only contention of the Ld. AO/DR is that the assessee has not proved the sources of sources of credit. Therefore, in our opinion, the said impugned amount in all these cases cannot be taxed u/s 68 of the Act merely on the ground that assessees herein failed to prove the sources of sources of such credit. The Ld. AO/DR wanted to enlarge the scope of section 5(2) of the Act, which cannot be permitted. Further, the receipt of the above amount through banking channels remitted from foreign bank  to bank in India. The  receipt is supported  by FIRC Certificates  issued by the receiving bank. Sri Samyak Chandrakanth Veera is a non- resident and assessed to tax in United States of America. Confirmation dated 1.7.2008 from VP Bank confirming the KYC of Samyak Chandrakanth Veera. Copies of US  Income  Tax Returns  of Mr. Samyak Chandrakanth Veera. The receipt above is through banking channels and the same was intimated to Reserve Bank of India by the Company. Copy of the bank account supporting the remittance was furnished during the course of assessment proceedings.

• In the case of Snowshine Realtors (P) Ltd. the assessee company has proved the identity, creditworthiness and genuineness of transactions by filing the following documents:-

1. Copies of the foreign bank accounts in support of remittances and also copy of the bank account in India wherein the monies  were received, were also
2. Copies of Income Tax Returns filed in USA by Samyak Chandrakanth Veera also furnished.
3. Confirmation from Samyak Chandrakanth Veera furnished
4. FIRCs issued by the receiving bank and filed before the RBI.

• In our opinion, identity of person, the genuineness of the transaction is established as assessee company has furnished that all transactions are though banking channel, FIRC’s and communication with Reserve Bank of India as per the RBI Guidelines under the The department  is harping on the investors  source  of investment  in share capital who was a  Non-Resident  and  Non-Citizen  of  India. The company has established the source of  investment  in share capital has come from Mr. Samyak Veera. This is not disputed by the Assessing Officer.  The  only  issue  on  which the Assessing Officer is harping  is that  personal  Balance Sheet and fund flow of Mr. Samyak Veera is not provided. It is not the responsibility of the company  to call  for  such details from the investor in share capital. The transaction of investment is in the form  of  Foreign  Currency,  which  has been received through in banking channels. The receipt of foreign currency by the Indian Company is subjected to verification by the Reserve Bank of India as per the FEMA / FDI guidelines. As such expecting the company to prove beyond the source of source of Mr. Samyak Veera is not responsibility of the company. Under  these  circumstances the addition U/s.68 of the Act deserves to be deleted.

• Furthermore, the section 68 is not applicable to remittance made in India by non-resident as seen from the proviso to section 68 which has been inserted e.f. assessment year 2013-14 by Finance  Act, 2012.   According to the said proviso, if  an assessee company, in  which public are not substantially interested, receives money by way of share capital or share premium or any such amount by whatsoever name called, then the  source of funds  of resident shareholder has  to  be  established  by  the  assessee in order to get  out  of  the  kin  of  the  deeming provision u/s 68 of the Act. Hence, the proviso speaks of the source being established only when  the  shareholder  is a resident  of India.  There  is  no  such  requirement,  if  the  shareholder  is a non-resident, therefore, the creditworthiness of the shareholders, if he is non-resident, does not have to be established by the assessee in respect of remittance received by him or it. Being so, in the present cases, only identity and creditworthiness  of  investor  and  genuineness of the transactions for explaining the credit in the books of account of the assessee is sufficient, and the onus does not extend to explain the source of funds in the hands of the investor. Thus, the proviso to section 68 of the Act  is applicable to residents only, who  are required to substantiate “source of source of funds”. This additional burden cast upon by the proviso was not applicable to non- resident investors. Accordingly, we confirm the deletion  of addition made by the Ld. CIT(A). Hence, all the appeals filed by the revenue are dismissed.

• Since we have dismissed all the appeals of the revenue on merit, the COs filed by the assessee on legal issue is dismissed as not pressed.

7. In the result, the revenue appeals in ITA 1441 & 1442/Bang/2018 & 1443/Bang/2018 are dismissed. The COs filed by the two assessees in CO Nos.103 & 104/Bang/2018 and CO No.105/Bang/2018 are dismissed as not pressed.

Order pronounced in the open court on 28th Oct, 2022.

Sd/-

(N.V. Vasudevan) Vice President

 

Bangalore,

Dated 28th Oct, 2022. VG/SPS

Copy to:

 

1. The Applicant
2. The Respondent
3. The CIT
4. The CIT(A)
5. The DR, ITAT,
6. Guard file

Sd/- (Chandra Poojari)

Accountant Member

 By order

Asst. Registrar, ITAT, Bangalore

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL “C” BENCH : BANGALORE

 

BEFORE SHRI N.V. VASUDEVAN, VICE PRESIDENT AND SHRI B. R. BASKARAN, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER

  

Sl. No.	ITA Nos. /C.O. Nos. and Assessment Years	Appellant	Respondent	Date of order of CIT(A), Bengaluru
1.	ITA No.3039/Bang/2018 2014-15	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Room No.317, 03rd Floor, C. R. Building, Queen’s Road, Bengaluru – 560 001.	M/s. GMR Energy Ltd., No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AAACT 8420 A	10.07.2018
2.	C.O. No. 10/Bang/2019 (in 3039/Bang/2018) 2014-15	M/s. GMR Energy Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AAACT 8420 A	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.
3.	ITA No.3011/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	-do-	13.07.2018
4.	ITA No.2871/Bang/2018 2015-16	M/s. GMR Energy Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AAACT 8420 A	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.	13.07.2018
5.	ITA No.2872/Bang/2018 2014-15	M/s. GMR Energy Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AAACT 8420 A	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.	10.07.2018
6.	ITA No.3044/Bang/2018 2009-10	ACIT, Circle – 7(1)(1), Bengaluru.	Shri. Hemanth Kumar Bothra, No.14, 7th Cross, Jai Bharat Nagar, Bengaluru – 560 033. PAN : AAAPH 9863 N	10.07.2018
7.	ITA No.3014/Bang/2018 2010-11	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.	Shri. K. Muniraju, No.85, Ranganatha Nilaya, 8th Main, WIDIA Layout Chandra Layout, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AOOPK 9420 Q	12.07.2018
8.	ITA No.3015/Bang/2018 2011-12	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.	Shri. K. Muniraju, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AOOPK 9420 Q	12.07.2018

 

9.	ITA No.3016/Bang/2018 2015-16	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.		Shri. K. Muniraju, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AOOPK 9420 Q	12.07.2018
10.	ITA No.3005/Bang/2018 2010-11	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.		M/s. ICKON Projects, No.11/2, 2nd Floor, New Jayadeva Hostel, Commercial Complex, 5th Main  Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru – 560 009. PAN : AABFI 7099 A	17.07.2018
11.	ITA No.3012/Bang/2018 2012-13	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.		M/s. GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd., SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AADCG 0436 E	10.07.2018
12.	ITA No.3013/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-		M/s. GMR Infrastructure Ltd., No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCG 8889 P	10.07.2018
13.	C.O.No.156/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3013/Bang/2018) 2014-15	M/s. GMR Infrastructure Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCG 8889 P		DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru – 560 001.
14.	ITA No.3037/Bang/2018 2009-10	-do-		-do-	10.07.2018
15.	C.O. No.06/Bang/2019 (in ITA No.3037/Bang/2018) 2009-10	M/s. GMR Infrastructure Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCG 8889 P		DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru – 560 001.
16.	ITA No.3038/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-		-do-	13.07.2018
17.	C.O. No.07/Bang/2019 (in ITA No.3038/Bang/2018) 2015-16	-do-		-do-
18.	ITA No.2873/Bang/2018 2012-13	M/s. GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AADCG 0436 E	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.		10.07.2018

 

19.	ITA No.2869Bang/2018 2014-15	M/s. GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCH 3448 M	-do-	10.07.2018
20.	ITA No.3017/Bang/2018 2014-15	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.	M/s. GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCH 3448 M	10.07.2018
21.	ITA No.3018/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
22.	ITA No.3019/Bang/2018 2016-17	-do-	-do-	13.07.2018
23.	ITA No.3008/Bang/2018 2011-12	-do-	M/s. Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd., No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AACCD 3570 F	10.07.2018
24.	ITA No.3009/Bang/2018 2012-13	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
25.	ITA No.3010/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
26.	ITA No.3026/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
27.	ITA No.3027/Bang/2018 2016-17	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
28.	ITA No.3034/Bang/2018 2009-10	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(2), Bengaluru.	M/s. GMR Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., (Successor to GMR Projects P. Ltd.), No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AAACN 6998 D	10.07.2018

 

29.	ITA No.3020/Bang/2018 2010-11	-do-	M/s. GMR Sports Pvt. Ltd., No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AADCG 0588 P	10.07.2018
30.	ITA No.3021/Bang/2018 2011-12	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
31.	ITA No.3022/Bang/2018 2012-13	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
32.	ITA No.3023/Bang/2018 2013-14	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
33.	ITA No.3024/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	10.07.2018
34.	ITA No.3025/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	-do-	13.07.2018
35.	ITA No.3035/Bang/2018 2013-14	-do-	M/s. GMR Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., (GMR Holdings Pvt. Ltd.), No.25/1, SKIP House, Museum Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AACCR 1554 R	13.07.2018
36.	ITA No.3036/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	13.07.2018
37.	ITA No.2992/Bang/2018 2009-10	ACIT, Central Circle – 1(4), Bengaluru.	M/s. Zircon Properties Pvt. Ltd., No.2650, Ground Floor, 37th B Cross, 28th Main, 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 069. PAN : AAACZ 3387 J	06.07.2018
38.	C.O. No.11/Bang/2019 (in 2992/Bang/2018) 2009-10	M/s. Zircon Properties Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 069. PAN : AAACZ 3387 J	ACIT, Central Circle – 1(4), Bengaluru.
39.	ITA No.2993/Bang/2018 2010-11	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
40.	C.O. No.12/Bang/2019 (in 2993/Bang/2018) 2010-11	-do-	-do-

 

41.	ITA No.2998/Bang/2018 2012-13	DCIT, Central Circle – 1(1), Bengaluru.	Shri. P. Chandrashekar, Himagiri Meadows, Gottigere Village, Bengaluru. PAN : ACYPC 4498 A	06.07.2018
42.	ITA No.2999/Bang/2018 2013-14	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
43.	ITA No.3000/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
44.	ITA No.3001/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
45.	ITA No.3003/Bang/2018 2013-14	DCIT, Central Circle – 2(3), Bengaluru.	M/s. Gopalan Enterprises (I) Pvt. Ltd., #5, Richmond Road, Bengaluru – 560 025. PAN : AABCG 3197 L	09.07.2018
46.	ITA No.3004/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	09.07.2018
47.	ITA No.3007/Bang/2018 2007-08	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.	Sri_Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust, 1st B Main, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AAATS 3584 P	06.07.2018
48.	C.O. No. 147/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3007/Bang) 2007-08	Sri Adichunchunagiri Sikshana Trust, 1st B Main, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AAATS 3584 P	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.
49.	ITA No.3006/Bang/2018 2015-16	-do-	M/s. Gowri Infra Engineers Pvt. Ltd., No.85, Ranganatha Nilaya, 8th Main, WIDIA Layout Chandra Layout, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AADCG 9044 N	05.07.2018
50.	ITA No.2994/Bang/2018 2015-16	ACIT, Central Circle – 1(4), Bengaluru.	M/s. Confident Projects (India) Pvt. Ltd., 574, Park House, 80 Feet Road, 8th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru – 560 095. PAN : AACCC 7506 L	05.07.2018

 

51.	ITA No.2995/Bang/2018 2016-17	-do-	-do-	05.07.2018
52.	ITA No.2996/Bang/2018 2008-09	-do-	M/s. Kansur Developers India Pvt. Ltd., No.2650, Ground Floor, 37th B Cross, 28th Main, 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 069. PAN : AACCK 9866 F	06.07.2018
53.	C.O. No. 15/Bang/2019 (in ITA No.2996/Bang/2018) 2008-09	M/s. Kansur Developers (P) Ltd., Bengaluru. PAN : AACCK 9866 F	-do-
54.	ITA No.1441/Bang/2018 2009-10	-do-	-do-	28.02.2018
55.	C.O. No. 103/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.1441/Bang/2018) 2009-10	-do-	-do-
56.	ITA No.1442/Bang/2018 2012-13	-do-	-do-	28.02.2018
57.	C.O. No. 104/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.1442/Bang/2018) 2012-13	-do-	-do-
58.	ITA No.2997/Bang/2018 2008-09	-do-	M/s. Kansur Realtors Pvt. Ltd., No.2650, Ground Floor, 37th B Cross, 28th Main, 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 69. PAN : AADCK 0879 K	06.07.2018
59.	C.O. No. 16/Bang/2019 (in ITA No.2997/Bang/2018) 2008-09	M/s. Kansur Realtors (P) Ltd., Bengaluru. PAN : AADCK 0879 K	-do-
60.	ITA No.2990/Bang/2018 2008-09	ACIT, Central Circle – 1(4), Bengaluru.	M/s. Sukant Developers India Pvt. Ltd., No.2650, Ground Floor, 28th Main, 37th B Cross, 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 009. PAN : AAKCS 8220 P	06.07.2018
61.	C.O. No. 13/Bang/2019	M/s. Sukant Developers	ACIT,

 

	(in ITA No.2990/Bang/2018) 2008-09	India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru – 560 009. PAN : AAKCS 8220 P	Central Circle – 1(4), Bengaluru.
62.	ITA No.2991/Bang/2018 2010-11	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
63.	C.O. No. 14/Bang/2019 (in ITA No.2991/Bang/2018) 2010-11	-do-	-do-
64.	ITA No.2966/Bang/2018 2013-14	ACIT, Circle – 6(3)(1), Bengaluru.	M/s. MCN Developers, No.2253, 1st Floor, MCN Complex, ‘D’ Block, Kodigehalli Main Road, Sahakarnagar, Bengaluru. PAN : AALFM 4732 A	CIT(A)-11, Bengaluru dated 06.07.2018
65.	ITA No.2967/Bang/2018 2014-15	-do-	-do-	-do-
66.	ITA No.2988/Bang/2018 2008-09	ACIT, Central Circle – 1(2), Bengaluru.	Shri. G. Lalanath Reddy, No.995A, 5AC, HRBR Layout, First Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru. PAN : AHPPR 3768 J	CIT(A)-11, Bengaluru dated 05.07.2018
67.	ITA No.2989/Bang/2018 2009-10	-do-	-do-	-do-
68.	ITA No.2987/Bang/2018 2010-11	-do-	M/s. Shravanee Constructions and Projects, No.142, 143, G. R. Plaza D.V. G. Road, Basavangudi, Bengaluru – 560 004. PAN : AAXFS 4657 C	-do-
69.	ITA No.2982/Bang/2018 2014-15	DCIT, Central Circle – 1(1), Bengaluru.	Shri. Chandrashekar Bhat, No.70, 5th B Cross, Narayanappa Layout, R. T. Nagar, Bengaluru – 560 032. PAN : ADOPB 9307 L	-do-

 

70.	ITA No.3028/Bang/2018 2008-09	ACIT, Central Circle – 2(4), Bengaluru.	Sri Adichunchunagiri Sikshana Trust, 1st B Main, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru – 560 040. PAN : AAATS 3584 P	06.07.2018
71.	C.O. No. 148/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3028/Bang/2018) 2008-09	-do-	-do-
72.	ITA No.3029/Bang/2018 2009-10	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
73.	C. O. No. 149/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3029/Bang/2018) 2009-10	-do-	-do-
74.	ITA No.3032/Bang/2018 2012-13	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
75.	C. O. No. 152/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3032/Bang/2018) 2012-13	-do-	-do-
76.	ITA No.3030/Bang/2018 2010-11	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
77.	C.O. No. 150/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3030/Bang/2018) 2010-11	-do-	-do-
78.	ITA No.3033/Bang/2018 2013-14	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
79.	C. O. No. 153/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3033/Bang/2018) 2013-14	-do-	-do-
80.	ITA No.3031/Bang/2018 2011-12	-do-	-do-	06.07.2018
81.	C. O. No. 151/Bang/2018 (in ITA No.3031/Bang/2018) 2011-12	-do-	-do-

www.thetaxtalk.com

 

Revenue by	:	Shri. K. V. Aravind, Standing Counsel
Assessees by	:	Shri. Sunil Jain, CA, C.Ramesh, CA, V.Srinivasan, Advocate, Mr.Nagin Khincha, CA and others.

 

 

Date of hearing	:	02.02.2021
Date of Pronouncement	:	22.02.2021

 

O R D E R

  

Per N.V. Vasudevan, Vice President

In all these appeals, the Revenue has requested by way of an additional ground that the orders impugned in these appeals should be held to be orders passed without proper jurisdiction and should be set aside and remanded to the CIT(A) for decision afresh by the CIT(A) with competent jurisdiction.   All these appeals were listed in different Benches of Bangalore Benches and were consolidated and posted together for hearing at the request of the Revenue on the additional grounds raised by the Revenue in all these appeals. The additional ground sought to be raised by the Revenue in all these appeals is as follows:

1. he order passed by the Commissioner of   Income   Tax (Appeals) – 11 dated 10/07/2018 being the order passed after the directions vide letter dated 18/06/2018 by the DGIT, (Inv.), Bengaluru, and notification u/ s.120 dated 16.07.2018 issued by the PCCIT, Bengaluru, the CIT(A) order is without jurisdiction and liable to be set aside.

 

2. The order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeal)- 11, dated 10/07/2018 being not entered in dispatch register which was required to be entered, the order is presumed to be passed after the transfer of jurisdiction.”

2. The circumstances which the additional grounds are sought to be raised are identical in all the appeals and have been explained by the Revenue in a submission made along with the additional It has been stated therein that the various Assessees filed appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 11, against the order of assessment. It has been stated that the CIT(A)-11, Bangalore who passed all the impugned orders committed serious lapses and he was directed by the Director General of Income Tax, Investigation, Karnataka & Goa, Bengaluru, by direction dated 18/06/2018 not to pass any further appellate orders during pendency of the explanation sought on the lapses in adjudicating the appeals. It is the plea of the revenue that all the orders impugned in these appeals were passed after 18.6.2018   and   are   therefore   orders passed without jurisdiction and on that ground are liable to be set aside. Without prejudice to the above contention, it is the further plea of the revenue that by notification dated 16.07.2018, issued u/ s.120 of the Act, by the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Karnataka & Goa, the appeals pending before Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 11 were transferred to Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 12, Bengaluru. It is the case of the revenue that Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 11 disregarding the directions issued by the Principal CCIT, has passed orders that are impugned in all these appeals. It is the further case of the revenue that though the impugned orders are purported to have been passed on dates which are prior to 16.7.2018 they were in fact passed after those dates but were pre dated. In support of the claim of the revenue that the impugned orders were in fact passed after 16.7.2018 but were predated, the revenue relies on the circumstance that the date of despatch of the impugned orders has not been entered in the dispatch register maintained by Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 11. According to the revenue, in view of the fact that the date of dispatch is not specifically entered during the period when CIT(A)-11 was directed not to pass any orders, only inference can be drawn is that the impugned orders were   passed after the appeals were transferred u/s 120 of the Act to CIT(A)-12. By implication the revenue wants to contend that the orders impugned were back dated so as to fall before or on the cut off date of 16.7.2018.

3. It has further been submitted that in this connection, the Principal CCIT has conducted detailed enquiry on this aspect and has found that the order impugned in these appeals were passed after the transfer of It is also the plea of the revenue that the date of order is the day on which the officer passing the order looses control of the order and in this regard has placed reliance on a decision of the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the case of BJN Hotels 382 ITR 110(Karn.). According to the revenue, applying the above principle, it has to be inferred that the orders impugned were passed after the date of   transfer of jurisdiction and without jurisdiction. It has also been stated that the revenue has not placed the outcome of the enquiry in view of the confidentiality of the same. However, the revenue has sought leave of the Tribunal to place the same in a sealed cover, if need arises and so directed by the Tribunal. It has further been submitted that   in   the grounds of appeal, the ground regarding invalidity of the order on the ground that the impugned orders   were   passed   without   jurisdiction   by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) – 11 has not been raised and the same is raised by way of additional ground. It has also been submitted that the issue of jurisdiction is purely legal ground   and therefore   should   be   admitted   for   adjudication    and    adjudicated. Reliance in this regard was placed on the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of NTPC Ltd. 229 ITR 383 (SC).

4. The learned Standing Counsel for the Department submitted that though the orders passed in all these appeals are after 18.6.2018 when the Director-General of Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa, Bengaluru, directed the then CIT(A)-11, Bengaluru, not to pass any further appellate orders during pendency of the explanation sought on the lapses in adjudicating the Therefore the orders passed after 18.6.2018 are illegal and are orders passed without jurisdiction and liable to be set aside. In any event the orders purported to have been passed before 16.07.2018 were in fact back dated. He reiterated the allegations as contained in the submissions made by the Revenue for raising additional grounds. The learned DR prayed that all the impugned orders be set aside and the issues raised in the various appeals be remanded to the CIT(A) having proper jurisdiction to adjudicate on merits afresh.

5. In support of the Revenue’s contention, learned Standing Counsel has placed reliance on the decision of the ITAT, Delhi Bench, in the case of ACIT Globus Construction Pvt. Ltd., ITA No.1185/Del/2020 for Assessment Year 2015-16 order dated 08.01.2021. In the aforesaid case, one Shri. S. K. Shrivastava, CIT(A)-1, Noida, was compulsorily retired from Government of India, w.e.f. 11.06.2019. He passed orders pertaining to appeals falling within the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad and only CIT(A), Kanpur had jurisdiction to try those appeals. There was also evidence with regard to findings of Vigilance department. On the above facts, the Delhi Bench of the Tribunal came to the conclusion that it has come on record CIT(A)-I, Noida has decided Income Tax Appeals pertaining to Ghaziabad Jurisdiction over which he has no jurisdiction purportedly on 31.12.2018 whereas it is proved on record that all these appeals were disposed of in the month of June, 2019 after his compulsory retirement. It is also proved on record that all the impugned orders have been uploaded on ITBA system between 11th June to 13th June, 2019 after his demitting the office by Sri S.K.Srivastava, CIT(A)-1 and2 Noida. It is also proved that he has uploaded the impugned orders to the Central Server using his RSA token only after his retirement. All these facts go to prove that the impugned orders have been passed by SriS.K.Srivastava, CIT(A)-1 and 2 Noida after his compulsory retirement with effect from 11.06.2019, because the moment he ceases to hold his office he has become functus officio.

6. The learned counsel for various Assessees in these appeals have opposed the prayer of the revenue for setting aside all the aforesaid orders on the ground that the all the orders were passed prior to 16.7.2018 and it is only on the passing of the order dated 7.2018 that the CIT(A)-11, lost his jurisdiction. It was contended that the order dt.18.6.2018 by which Director- General of Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa, Bengaluru, directed the then CIT(A)-11, Bengaluru, not to pass any further appellate orders during pendency of the explanation sought on the lapses in adjudicating the appeals, is an internal matter and the Assessee does not have any knowledge regarding the same. It was contended that the order dated 18.6.2018 cannot be the basis to say that the then CIT(A)-11 did not have jurisdiction to decide appeals and it is only the order dated 16.7.2018 that legally divests the power of the then CIT(A)-11 to decide appeals. It was contended that there is no evidence to show that the orders passed prior to 16.7.2018 were in fact backdated. The enquiry is still under way and that there is nothing on record to support the contention of the revenue. It was also submitted that the decision of the ITAT Delhi cited by the learned DR in the case of Globus Construction Pvt.Ltd., (supra) is not applicable to the facts of the present case as in the present case, the admitted position is that all the orders were dated after 18.06.2018 but prior to 16.07.2018. The learned counsel for the Assessee in some of the appeals Mr.Nagin Khincha, CA argued that there is no specific application under Rule 11 of the Income Tax (Appellate Tribunal) Rules, 1963and hence the additional grounds cannot be considered for admission. We have already observed that there is a submission along with the additional grounds and the same is and can be treated as application for admission of additional ground and the objection in this regard is hereby rejected. It was submitted that the allegation with regard to the orders being anti-dated are all allegations which are not supported by any evidence.

7. We have given a very careful consideration to the rival submissions. It is undisputed that the impugned orders in all the appeals were passed after 6.2018 order dt.18.6.2018 by which Director-General of Income Tax (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa, Bengaluru, directed the then CIT(A)-11, Bengaluru, not to pass any further appellate orders during pendency of the explanation sought on the lapses in adjudicating the appeals. The CIT(A) had no jurisdiction to pass any orders in appeal on or after the aforesaid date. The order passed by him contrary to the directions of the superior officer cannot be said to be an order passed by a person having proper jurisdiction.    The CBDT in its instruction dated 8.3.2018 (F.No.DGIT (Vug.)/HQW/SI/Appeals/2017- 18/9959) has in paragraph-7 thereof instructed all Chief Commissioners of Income Tax to conduct regular inspections of the CIT(Appeals) working under them and keep a watch on the quality and quantity of orders passed by them. The instructions further lay down that failure on the part of the Chief Commissioners of Income Tax to do so would be viewed adversely by the CBDT.

8. We notice that the instruction so issued by CBDT places responsibility upon the Chief Commissioners to ensure the quality of the orders passed by CIT(A). The purpose, obviously, is to ensure that the Appellate Commissioners pass quality orders, while achieving the quota fixed for them. The Ld Standing Council submitted that the Director General of Income tax, Investigation, Karnataka & Goa, has issued a direction dated 18/06/2018 to the then CIT(A)-11 not to pass any further appellate orders, as he received certain information about the orders passed by the then CIT(A)-11. Admittedly, the above said direction has been defied by the then CIT(A) and he has proceeded to pass orders. There should not be any dispute that the instructions issued by CBDT are binding on all the income tax officials. The Ld Standing Council submitted that non-compliance with directions given by DGIT in compliance with the instruction issued by CBDT would cause prejudice to the revenue. Accordingly he submitted that the orders passed by the then Ld CIT(A)-11 after 18/06/2018 results in serious lapse on the part of the then Ld CIT(A)-11, as the same violates the binding directions given by DGIT. Accordingly he contended that all the impugned orders are liable to be quashed.

9. According to Ld Standing Counsel for the revenue, there is prima facie material on record to show that the orders purported to have been passed after 6.2018 and prior to 16.7.2018 were pre dated, which he offered to submit it in sealed cover. Though we declined to look into it, yet, considering the conduct of the then Ld CIT(A)-11, the stand taken by the revenue appears to be probable. In any case, the very action of then Ld CIT(A)-11 in ignoring the binding directions given by DGIT and proceeding to pass orders results serious lapse on his part in administering justice. We also notice that all the orders impugned in these appeals have been passed between 5.7.2018 and 13.7.2018, numbering around 50 orders, involving different Assessees and different issues, which is difficult task for any appellate authority. Hence we agree with the submission of Ld Standing Counsel that the interests of revenue is prejudiced by the said action of the then Ld CIT(A)-11. All these factors, in our view, would vitiate the appellate orders passed by him after 18-06-2018, even if the allegation of pre-dating of orders is not accepted/proved. Hence the impugned orders, in our view, is not curable and sustainable in the eyes of law.

10. On almost identical facts, the ITAT Delhi Bench in the case of ACIT Vs. Globus Constructions Ltd. (supra) held after finding that the impugned orders were passed by the appellate authority after it was divested with powers to pass orders observed as follows:

“10. Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of United Commercial Bank Ltd. vs. workman 1951 SCR 380 in the identical situation held that Jurisdictional defect strikes at the very authority of the Court to pass any decree and such a defect cannot be cured even

by consent of the parties.

10A. Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in case cited as Kanwar Singh Saini vs. High Court of Delhi held that order/decree passed by court having no jurisdiction is a nullity by returning following findings :

“There can be no dispute regarding the settled legal proposition that conferment of jurisdiction is a legislative function and it can neither be conferred with the consent of the parties nor by a superior court, and if the court passes order/decree having no jurisdiction over the matter, it would amount to a nullity as the matter goes to the roots of the cause. Such an issue can be raised at any belated stage of the proceedings including in appeal or execution. The finding of a court or tribunal becomes irrelevant and unenforceable/inexecutable once the forum is found to have no jurisdiction. Acquiescence of a party equally should not be permitted to defeat the legislative animation. The court cannot derive jurisdiction apart from the statute. [Vide United Commercial Bank Ltd. v. Workmen, Nai Bahu v. Lala Ramnarayan, Natraj Studios(P) Ltd. v. Navrang Studios, Sardar Hasan Siddiqui v. STAT, A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak Union of India Deoki Nandan Aggarwal, Karnal Improvement Trust v. Parkash Wantft, U.P. Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd. v. Indure (P) Ltd., State of Gujarat v. Rajesh Kumar Chimanlal Barot, Kesar Singh v. Sadhu, Kondiba Dagadu Kadam v. Savitribai Sopan Gujar and CCE v. Flock (India) (P) Ltd.]

 

11. Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of Fatma Bibi Ahmed Patel & Anrs (2008) 6 SCC 789 held that jurisdictional issue goes to the root of the matter and the entire proceedings having been initiated illegally and without jurisdiction, and thus are

12. In view of what has been discussed above and following the decisions rendered by Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of Fatima Bibi (supra), United Commercial Bank (supra) and Kanwar Singh Saini (supra) without entering into the merits of the captioned appeals, we are of the considered view that the impugned orders suffer from jurisdictional defect which is not curable having been passed by Ld. CIT(A)-1 and 2 Noida after his compulsory retirements with effect from 11.06.2019, when he was functus officio, are not sustainable in the eyes of law, hence, nullities. So question framed is answered in affirmative.

13. Consequently, impugned orders passed in the captioned appeals by CIT(A)-1 and 2 Noida are set aside to the files of the respective jurisdictional CIT(A)-1 and 2 Noida and CIT(A) Ghaziabad to decide afresh in accordance with law by providing an opportunity of being heard to the assessee / revenue. Consequently aforesaid appeals / cross objections are allowed for statistical ”

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11. Respectfully, following the order of the tribunal, we set aside the orders of the CIT(A) to the respective jurisdictional CIT(A) to decide the appeals afresh in accordance with law after due opportunity of hearing to the parties. The additional grounds of appeal are accordingly allowed. In view of the aforesaid conclusion, the issues on merits raised by the appellants in their appeal do not require any consideration. All the appeals and cross objections are treated as allowed for statistical

12. In the result, the appeals and cross objections are treated as allowed for statistical purpose.

Pronounced in the open court on the date mentioned on the caption page.

 

Sd/-                                                              Sd/-

( B. R. BASKARAN )                            ( N. V. VASUDEVAN)

Accountant Member                                    Vice President

 

Bangalore, Dated: 22.02.2021.

/NS/*

Copy to:

1. Appellant 2. Respondent 3.  CIT         4. CIT(A)
2. DR, ITAT, Bangalore. 6. Guard file

By order

Assistant Registrar ITAT, Bangalore.