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Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd. v. Ito

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
Nov 29, 2018
Smart Summary (Beta)

Structured Summary of the Provided Opinion (ITAT — Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd.)

Decision by: H.S. Sidhu, Judicial Member. Order pronounced on: 29-11-2018. Subject: Appeal by assessee against reopening under sections 147/148 and assessment u/s 143(3)/147 for AY 2010-11.

Factual and Procedural Background

The assessee (M/s Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd.) filed its electronic return of income on 23.09.2010 declaring a loss of Rs. 10,624 for assessment year 2010-11. Subsequently, the Assessing Officer (AO) received information on 21.03.2016 from the Investigation Wing (Unit 1(3), Ahmedabad) concerning a practice described as "Client Code Modification" (CCM), whereby brokers allegedly change client codes after execution of trades to transfer gains or losses and potentially manufacture contrived losses or profits.

On the basis of that information, the AO recorded reasons and initiated reassessment proceedings under section 147 and issued notice under section 148 on 29.03.2017. By order dated 08.12.2017 passed under sections 143(3)/147, the AO assessed the income at Rs. 5,95,410 after disallowing (inter alia) a loss of Rs. 6,02,335 said to have arisen from CCM transactions and a further disallowance of Rs. 3,702 as commission.

The assessee appealed to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)], who by order dated 01.06.2018 upheld the AO's action and dismissed the appeal. The assessee then appealed to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), which delivered the impugned opinion allowing the assessee's appeal and quashing the reopening.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether initiation of proceedings under section 147 (and issuance of notice under section 148) was validly based on "reasons to believe" supported by tangible and relevant material, or whether such reasons were only speculative or merely a "reason to suspect".
  2. Whether the AO applied independent mind to the information received from the Investigation Wing, or whether the AO acted mechanically by reproducing the Investigation Wing report without inquiry.
  3. Whether the approval/permission required from the higher authority (recorded approval by the Principal Commissioner / Joint Commissioner under section 151(1) or related provisions) was given after applying mind, or whether it was a mechanical approval (e.g., merely recording "Yes, I am satisfied").
  4. Whether procedural requirements after disposal of the assessee's objections (including the practical requirement of giving time to the assessee following rejection of objections) were complied with before passing the reassessment order.
  5. Ancillary substantive questions raised (and listed as grounds by the assessee) relating to additions made under section 68 and other disallowances and interest levied — though these were not adjudicated on merits after the Tribunal quashed the reassessment as being without jurisdiction.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments (Assessee)

  • The reassessment proceedings under section 147/148 were initiated and completed without jurisdiction because there was no specific, relevant or tangible material on record to form a valid "reason to believe" that income had escaped assessment.
  • The reasons recorded by the AO were mechanical and without application of mind; therefore they did not meet the statutory precondition for reopening under section 147.
  • The approval/authorization (sanction) from the competent authority was also mechanical and thus invalid.
  • The additions (aggregate Rs. 6,05,037 comprising alleged unexplained credits under section 68, shifted profits/losses via client code modification, and 2% commission) were unsubstantiated and based on speculation, generic assertions, or reproduction of the Investigation Wing report without independent inquiry.
  • The assessee filed Paper Books and relied on multiple authorities (Supreme Court, High Courts and Tribunal decisions) in support of the contention that the reassessment was invalid for the reasons above.

Respondent's Arguments (Revenue / Department Representative)

  • The AO issued notice under section 148 after due application of mind and followed proper procedure in issuing the notice.
  • The AO had tangible material in the form of the Investigation Wing's report, which constituted a sufficient basis for forming a reason to believe that income had escaped assessment.
  • The AO did not act on hearsay, conjecture or surmise but relied on the Investigation Wing information, and the Department relied on a Tribunal decision (DCIT vs. M/s Erawat Infotech Pvt. Ltd., ITAT Delhi Bench dated 24.10.2018) supportive of reassessment in similar factual circumstances.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Coronation Agro Industries Ltd. vs. DCIT (390 ITR 464) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee's counsel in Paper Book; no separate discussion recorded in the opinion.
Prabhu Dayal Aggarwal vs. ACIT (ITA No. 1662/Del/2018 dated 29.6.2018) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee's counsel; no further application discussed.
DCIT vs. Gyandeep Khemka (ITA No. 695/JP/2018) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee's counsel; no direct application in reasoning recorded.
CIT vs. Kelvinator of India Ltd. (320 ITR 561, SC) Establishes that existence of tangible and relevant material is a precondition for assumption of jurisdiction under section 147 (i.e., "reason to believe" must be based on relevant material). The Tribunal expressly relied on this authority to state that reopening requires tangible & relevant material and that the AO had not shown such material here.
ACIT vs. Rajesh Jhaveri Stock Brokers (P) Ltd. (291 ITR 500, SC) Also cited for the proposition that "reason to believe" must be founded on tangible and relevant material (precondition for reopening). The Tribunal relied on this Supreme Court authority along with Kelvinator to support the conclusion that the reasons recorded did not constitute a valid reason to believe.
Rajiv Aggarwal vs. ACIT (395 ITR 255, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed among authorities filed by the assessee; no distinct application discussed.
CIT vs. Batra Bhatta & Co. (321 ITR 526, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no specific treatment in the Tribunal's reasoning.
Ashok Kumar Sen vs. ITO (132 ITR 707 at p.710) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no specific application in the opinion.
Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. vs. ACIT (298 ITR 198, Del.) Principle that when reasons refer to another document/report, that document or relevant portions should be enclosed along with the reasons for reopening. The Tribunal relied on this authority to criticize the AO for not enclosing or confronting the assessee with the Investigation Wing material that the reasons referenced.
CIT vs. Daulat Ram Rawatmull (87 ITR 349, SC) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; no detailed application in the Tribunal's reasoning.
Sheo Nath Singh vs. AAC (82 ITR 147, SC) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; not separately discussed by the Tribunal.
United Electrical Co. (P) Ltd. vs. [CIT?] (258 ITR 317, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no specific application recorded in the opinion.
Bawa Abhai Singh (253 ITR 83) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no further discussion in the opinion.
CIT vs. Indian Oil Corporation (159 ITR 956, SC) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Cited by the assessee but not specifically discussed in the Tribunal's analysis.
ITO vs. Lakhamani Mewal Das (103 ITR 437, SC) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no detailed application in the opinion.
Pr. CIT vs. G&G Pharma India Ltd. (384 ITR 147, Del.) Holds that the AO must apply his mind to materials and should describe the materials used to form opinion; mere reproduction of Investigation Wing material without specifying underlying material means absence of application of mind. The Tribunal quoted and relied on this decision to conclude that the AO acted mechanically and failed to apply independent mind to the Investigation Wing information.
Jiten Gurnani vs. ITO (ITA No. 4908/Del/2012 dated 31.3.2015) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; no detailed application in the opinion.
Unique Metal Industries vs. ITO (ITA No. 1372/D/2015 dated 28.10.2015) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not further applied in the reasoning.
Punjab Metal Store vs. ITO (ITA No. 512/D/2015 dated 2.12.2015) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no specific application recorded.
Banke Bihari Properties (P) Ltd. v. ITO (ITA No. 5128/D/2015 dated 22.4.2016) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; the Tribunal did not separately analyze it in the opinion.
R.K. Garg Developers (P) Ltd. v. [ITO?] (ITA No. 6558/D/2014 dated 31.8.2016) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not further explicated by the Tribunal.
CIT vs. Atul Jain (299 ITR 383, Del. dated 23.5.2007) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no separate application shown in the Tribunal's reasoning.
CIT vs. SFIL Stock Broking Ltd. (ITR 285, Del. dated 27.4.2010) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not specifically applied in the opinion.
Sarthak Securities Co. (P.) Ltd. vs ITO (329 ITR 110, Del. dated 18 October 2010) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; no distinct application recorded by the Tribunal.
Signature Hotels (P) Ltd. vs. ITO (338 ITR 51, Del. dated 21.7.2011) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not separately applied in Tribunal's analysis.
Smt. Meera Kapoor vs. CIT (ITA No. 1395/2008, Del. dated 31.8.2012) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced in the Paper Book by the assessee; no separate discussion recorded.
CIT vs. Suren International (P) Ltd. (357 ITR 24, Del. dated 7.5.2013) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no distinct role in the Tribunal's reasoning.
CIT vs. Insecticides (India) Ltd. (357 ITR 330, Del. dated 20.5.2013) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; the Tribunal did not elaborate its application in the opinion.
CIT vs. Indian Sugar and Gen. Ind. Ex (303 ITR 155, Del. dated 30.07.2007) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; the opinion does not expand on its application.
Shipra Srivastava v CIT (319 ITR 221, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; no separate discussion in the Tribunal's order.
CIT vs. Supreme Polypropolene (P.) Ltd. (35 taxmann.com 215, Del. dated 26.04.2013) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee on introduction of share capital; the Tribunal did not elaborate on usage in this opinion.
Amsa India (P) Ltd. v. CIT (393 ITR 157, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed in the Paper Book; not discussed in detail in the Tribunal's reasoning.
Krown Agro Foods (P) Ltd. v. ACIT (375 ITR 460, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no particular application mentioned in the opinion.
Oriental Insurance Co. v. CIT (378 ITR 421, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not specifically applied in the Tribunal's analysis.
Rustagi Engineering Ldyog (P) Ltd. v. DCIT (382 ITR 443, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; no further discussion in the opinion.
Agya Ram v. Commissioner Of Income Tax, Delhi (386 ITR 545) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed among the authorities; no specific application recorded in the Tribunal's reasoning.
CIT v. Independent Media (P) Ltd. (ITA No. 108/2015 dated 19.11.2015, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; the Tribunal did not elaborate on its role in the opinion.
Rajiv Agarwal v. ACIT (395 ITR 255) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced multiple times in the list of cases; no particular application detailed in the opinion.
Pr. CIT v. Meenakshi Overseas (P) Ltd. v. ITO (395 ITR 677, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; not separately applied in the Tribunal's reasoning.
PR. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX v. RMG POLYVINYL (I) LTD (396 ITR 5) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee and considered in the Tribunal's broader commentary about non-application of mind in some AO actions; cited in the opinion as supporting examples of similar issues.
Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. v. ACIT (398 ITR 198) Emphasizes that when reasons refer to another document/report, such document or relevant portions should be enclosed along with the reasons. The Tribunal invoked this decision to note the absence of the Investigation Wing report with the reasons and to hold the AO's allegations were unsupported.
R.P. Foam Home (P) Ltd. v. ITO (W.P. (C) 7601/2017 dated 29.8.2017, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced by the assessee; not analyzed further in the Tribunal's order.
CIT vs. S. Goyanka Lime & Chemical Ltd. (237 Taxman 378 (MP); also 64 taxmann.com 313 (SC)) Principle that approval/sanction recorded mechanically (e.g., merely "Yes, I am satisfied") indicates lack of application of mind and is unsustainable. The Tribunal relied on this authority (and related High Court/Supreme Court discussions) to hold that the Principal CIT's brief approval was mechanical and inadequate.
Central India Electricity Supply Co. Ltd. vs. ITO (333 ITR 237, Del.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; not separately applied in the Tribunal's reasoning.
Pr. CIT vs. NC Cables Ltd. (ITA No. 335/2015, DHC) Holds that the higher authority authorising reassessment must apply mind and a mechanical recording of approval is inadequate. The Tribunal relied on this decision to support the conclusion that the sanctioning authority's brief endorsement indicated a ritualistic/formal exercise rather than meaningful application of mind.
DCIT vs. M/s Erawat Infotech Pvt. Ltd. (ITAT, Delhi Bench dated 24.10.2018) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Relied upon by the Department's representative; the Tribunal noted the DR's reliance but also observed that the cited order was ex parte and on distinguished facts.
Meta Plast Engineering (P) Ltd. v. ITO (ITA NO. 5780/D/2014 dated 6.4.2018) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Invoked in the opinion as a cited example; the Tribunal included it among authorities on procedural aspects but did not base the final conclusion solely on it.
Bharat Jayant Patel (Bombay High Court — cited in text) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced in relation to procedural fairness (allowing time after objections are rejected); the Tribunal used similar reasoning to note procedural shortcomings by the AO.
PCIT vs. RMG Polyvinyl (386 ITR 5, Bom.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Cited in the opinion as illustrating errors indicative of non-application of mind by the AO; relied on in the Tribunal's discussion on procedural defects.
Asian Paints Ltd. vs. DCIT (296 ITR 90, Bom.) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Cited in the context of procedural timelines after rejection of objections; the Tribunal referenced it in noting that AO should allow time to assessee after objections are decided.
Shipra Srivastava v CIT (319 ITR 221 (Del)) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Listed by the assessee; no further analysis recorded in the Tribunal's order.
Smt. Meera Kapoor vs. CIT (ITA No. 1395/2008, Del. dated 31.8.2012) This information was not available in the provided opinion. Referenced in the Paper Book; not applied further by the Tribunal.
Others in the Paper Book (various ITA decisions and High Court/Supreme Court citations listed in the opinion) This information was not available in the provided opinion for each individual entry. These were relied upon by the assessee's counsel and were listed in the Paper Book; the Tribunal's final reasoning focused primarily on selected authorities (Kelvinator, Rajesh Jhaveri, Pr. CIT v. G&G Pharma, Sabh Infrastructure, NC Cables, S. Goyanka) rather than individually addressing each listed precedent.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Tribunal set out the factual matrix and then closely examined the "reasons recorded" by the AO for invoking section 147/148. The core elements of the Tribunal's analytical process (as expressly stated in the opinion) are summarized below.

  1. Source of material: The Tribunal observed that the AO's reasons were primarily based on information received from the Investigation Wing (dated 21.03.2016) and a detailed survey report of 589 pages describing misuse of Client Code Modification (CCM). The Tribunal emphasized that the AO did not undertake any independent inquiry on the basis of that material before recording reasons.
  2. Requirement of tangible and relevant material: Relying on Supreme Court authorities (CIT vs. Kelvinator of India Ltd. and ACIT vs. Rajesh Jhaveri Stock Brokers (P) Ltd.), the Tribunal reiterated that initiation of proceedings under section 147 requires the existence of tangible and relevant material — the statutory "reason to believe" is stronger than mere suspicion and must be reasonable and based on relevant facts.
  3. Distinction between "reason to suspect" and "reason to believe": Applying the authorities, the Tribunal found that in the present case the AO had at best a "reason to suspect" (derived from an investigation report not interrogated or confronted), and did not possess the concrete material necessary to reach a reasoned belief that income had escaped assessment.
  4. Non-application / mechanical application of mind by the AO: The Tribunal held that the AO had acted mechanically by reproducing the Investigation Wing report and recording reasons without demonstrating how that material specifically applied to the assessee's own transactions. The Tribunal cited Pr. CIT vs. G&G Pharma India Ltd. (384 ITR 147 (Del.)) to strengthen the conclusion that the AO must identify and describe the material relied upon; a mere reproduction of a report is insufficient to show application of mind.
  5. Defect in sanction/approval: The Tribunal examined the recorded approval by the Principal Commissioner (the sanctioning authority) and observed that the approval was a brief endorsement ("Yes. I am satisfied.") which indicated a mechanical/authenticated tick rather than a recorded satisfaction after consideration of material. The Tribunal relied on relevant precedents (including Pr. CIT vs. NC Cables Ltd. and S. Goyanka) to hold that such mechanical sanction is inadequate.
  6. Failure to enclose or confront materials: Citing Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. v. ACIT, the Tribunal observed that where reasons refer to another document or report, that document or relevant portions should be enclosed along with the reasons and the assessee should be confronted with such material during assessment. The AO did not comply with this safeguard, thereby weakening the case for valid reopening.
  7. Procedural unfairness after objections: The Tribunal took note that the assessee filed objections to the notice/reasons and that the AO disposed of objections in a short period and proceeded to pass the reassessment order shortly thereafter without giving the assessee adequate time to pursue remedies — a procedural defect on which the Tribunal relied (drawing parallels with case law that directions be given to allow reasonable time after objections are rejected).
  8. Conclusion on jurisdiction: On the cumulative assessment of the foregoing points — absence of tangible, specific and relevant material, mechanical adoption of the Investigation Wing report without independent application of mind, mechanical sanction by the higher authority, and procedural deficiencies — the Tribunal concluded that the reopening under section 147/148 was invalid and without jurisdiction, and therefore the reassessment had to be quashed.
  9. Result on other grounds: Because the Tribunal quashed the reopening and reassessment itself, it held that other grounds raised by the assessee (challenging substantive additions and interest) became academic and were not adjudicated.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Tribunal allowed the assessee's appeal and held that the reassessment proceedings initiated under section 147/148 and the consequential assessment order passed under sections 143(3)/147 were without jurisdiction and therefore QUASHED. The opinion records: "the re-assessment is quashed" and "the Appeal filed by the Assessee stands allowed." (Order pronounced 29-11-2018 by H.S. Sidhu, Judicial Member.)

Implications:

  • Direct effect: The reassessment and the assessment framed pursuant to the reopening are set aside; the assessment in favour of the Department for AY 2010-11 (as recorded on 08.12.2017) has been invalidated by the Tribunal.
  • Substantive/additional grounds (additions under section 68, commission disallowance, interest under section 234B etc.) were not decided on merits because the Tribunal quashed the reassessment on jurisdictional and procedural grounds; those grounds were held to be academic in view of the quashing.
  • On precedent and practice: The Tribunal endorsed the settled legal principles that (a) reopening under section 147 demands tangible and relevant material to form a reason to believe, (b) the AO must apply independent mind and identify the material relied upon, and (c) the sanctioning authority must record satisfaction after application of mind rather than mechanically. The opinion did not purport to establish a new rule of law beyond applying these existing principles to the facts of the case.

Order: Appeal allowed; reassessment quashed. (Pronounced 29-11-2018)

Show all summary ...

This appeal filed by the assessee is directed against the order passed by the Ld. CIT(A)-7, New Delhi on 01.06.2018 in relation to the assessment year 2010-11 on the following grounds:-

1. That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has grossly erred both in law and on facts in upholding the initiation of proceedings under section 147 of the Act and, completion of assessment u/s 147/143(3) of the Act without appreciating that the same were without jurisdiction and hence deserve to be quashed as such. 1.1 That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has failed to appreciate that, there was no specific, relevant and tangible material on record to form a reason to believe that income of the appellant had escaped assessment and, in view thereof, the proceedings initiated are illegal, untenable and therefore, unsustainable. 1.2 That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has further failed to appreciate that reasons recorded mechanically without application of mind do not constitute valid reasons to believe for assumption of jurisdiction u/s 147 of the Act. 1.3 That approval granted is a mechanical approval and hence initiation of proceedings u/s 147 of the Act on this ground also is invalid.

2 That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has further erred both in law and on facts in upholding an addition of Rs. 6,05,037/- representing alleged unexplained credit entries u/s. 68 of the Act. 2.1 That addition of Rs. 27,235/- being alleged profit shift6ed out by the appellant and Rs. 5,75,100/-, being alleged loss shifted by appellant aggregating to Rs. 6,02,335/- by adopting client code modification facility in connivance with broker is entirely unsubstantiated and, thus untenable. 2.2 That further more the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has proceeded to sustain the additions on mere speculation, generalized statements, theoretical assumptions and allegations and assertions, mechanically borrowed and, lifted from report of investigation wing without any inquiry of his own and, then addition made without there being any supporting direct or indirect or circumstantial evidence is not in accordance with law. 2.3 That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has erred both in jaw and on facts in failing to appreciate the written submissions furnished by the appellant and overlooking the judicial pronouncements relied upon by the appellant. 2.4 That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has erred both in law and on facts in recording various adverse inferences which are contrary to the facts on record, material placed on record and, are otherwise unsustainable in law and therefore, addition so confirmed is absolutely unwarranted.

3. That on the facts and circumstances of the case, the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has erred both on facts and on law, in sustaining addition of Rs. 3,702/- on account of 2% of long term capital gain earned from sale of share in an envisaged manner without considering the documents/ submitted by the appellant and enhanced the income without any basis and cogent evidence.

4. That the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has failed to appreciate that all transaction of appellant were supported by documentary evidence in the shape of contract notes, account payee transactions and therefore addition made on surmises, conjectures and suspicion and without bringing on record any specific evidence establishing that claim made is not genuine or incorrect is highly arbitrary, unjustified and untenable.

5. That the learned Commissioner bf Income Tax (Appeals) has erred both in law and on facts in upholding the levy of interest rest of Rs. 1,65,354/- u/s 234B of the Act which are not leviable on the facts of the instant case It is therefore, prayed that, it be held that assessment made by the learned Assessing Officer and sustained by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) deserves to be quashed as such. It may be further held that additions made and sustained by the learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) alongwith interest levied be deleted and appeal of the appellant company be allowed.

2. The facts in brief are that the assessee filed its return of income electronically on 23.9.2010 declaring loss of Rs. 10,624/-. Subsequently, information was received from the Investigation Wing, Ahmedabad that client code is a practice under which brokers change the client codes in sale and purchase orders of securities after the trades are conducted. The case was accordingly reopened u/s. 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (in short Act) and Notice u/s. 148 of the Act was issued on 29.3.2017 to the assessee. Thereafter, order u/s. 143(3)/147 of the Act was passed on 08.12.2017, assessing the income at Rs. 5,95,410/- after disallowing loss of Rs. 6,02,335/- due to change of client code and disallowance of Rs. 3,702/- on account of commission of 2% for the entry.

3. Aggrieved with the aforesaid assessment order dated 08.12.2017, assessee appealed before the Ld. CIT(A), who vide his impugned order dated 01.6.2018 has affirmed the action of the AO and dismissed the appeal of the assessee.

4. During the hearing, Ld. Counsel of the assessee stated that learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has grossly erred both in law and on facts in upholding the initiation of proceedings under section 147 of the Act and, completion of assessment u/s 147/143(3) of the Act without appreciating that the same were without jurisdiction and hence deserve to be quashed as such. He further submitted that learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has also failed to appreciate that, there was no specific, relevant and tangible material on record to form a reason to believe that income of the assessee had escaped assessment and, in view thereof, the proceedings initiated are illegal, untenable and therefore, unsustainable. It was the further contention that learned Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) has failed to appreciate that reasons recorded mechanically without application of mind do not constitute valid reasons to believe for assumption of jurisdiction u/s 147 of the Act and that approval granted is a mechanical approval and hence initiation of proceedings u/s 147 of the Act on this ground also is invalid. In view of above, he requested to quash the reassessment. To support his contention, Ld. Counsel of the assessee has filed Paper Books in which records at the stage of assessment as well as appellate were available and having the copy of decisions of the Honble Supreme Court, Honble High Courts and the Tribunal by which the legal issues raised by the assessee in ground no. 1 to 1.3 are squarely covered in favour of the assessee. The following are the case laws on which the Assessees counsel has relied upon.

1. Judgment of Honble Bombay High Court in the case of Coronation Agro Industries Ltd. vs. DCIT reported in 390 ITR 464.

2. ITAT, Delhi Bench decision in the case of Prabhu Dayal Aggarwal vs. ACIT in ITA No. 1662/Del/2018 dated 29.6.2018.

3. ITAT, Jaipur Bench decision in the case of DCIT vs. Gyandeep Khemka in ITA No. 695/JP/2018.

4. CIT vs. Kelvinator of India Ltd. reported in 320 ITR

561 (SC)

5. ACIT vs. Rajesh Jhaveri Stock Brokers (P) Ltd. reported in 291 ITR 500 (SC)

6. 395 ITR 255 (Del.) Rajiv Aggarwal vs. ACIT

7. 321 ITR 526 (Del.) CIT vs. Batra Bhatta & Co.

8. 132 ITR 707 at page 710 Ashok Kumar Sen vs. ITO.

9. 298 ITR 198 (Del.) Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. vs. ACIT.

10. 87 ITR 349 (SC) CIT vs. Daulat Ram Rawatmull

11. 82 ITR 147 (SC) Sheo Nath Singh vs. AAC.

12. 258 ITR 317 (Del.) United Electrical Co. (P) Ltd. vs.

13. 253 ITR 83 Bawa Abhai Singh.

14. 159 ITR 956 (SC( CIT vs. Indian Oil Corporation.

15. 103 ITR 437 (SC) ITO vs. Lakhamani Mewal Das.

16. 384 ITR 147 (Del.) Pr. CIT vs. G&G Pharma India Ltd.

17. ITA No. 4908/Del/2012 dated 31.3.2015 Jiten Gurnani vs. ITO

18. ITA No. 1372/D/2015 dated 28.10.2015 Unique Metal Industries vs. ITO

19. ITA No. 512/D/2015 dated 2.12.2015 Punjab Metal Store vs. ITO

20. ITA No. 5128/D/2015 dated 22.4.2016 Banke Bihari Properties (P) Ltd. v. ITO ITA No. 6558/D/2014 dated 31.8.2016 R.K. Garg Developers (P) Ltd. v.

21. 299 ITR 383 (Del) CIT vs Atul Jain dated 23.5.2007

22. ITR 285 (Del) CIT vs SFIL Stock Broking Ltd. dated 27.4.2010

23. 329 ITR 110 (Del) Sarthak Securities Co. (P) Ltd. vs ITO dated 18 October 2010

24. 338 ITR 51 (Del) Signature Hotels (P) Ltd. vs. ITO dated 21.7.2011

25. ITA No. 1395/2008 (Del) Smt. Meera Kapoor vs. CIT dated 31.8.2012

26. 357 ITR 24 (Del) CIT vs. Suren International (P) Ltd. dated 7.5.2013

27. 357 ITR 330 (Del) CIT vs. Insecticides (India) Ltd. dated 20.5.2013

28. 303 ITR 155 (Del.) CIT vs. Indian Sugar and Gen. Ind. Ex dated 30.07.2007

29. 319 ITR 221 (Del) Shipra Srivastava v CIT

30. 35 taxmann.com 215 (Del) CIT vs. Supreme Polypropolene (P.) Ltd. dated 26.04.2013 (introduction of share capital)

31. 393 ITR 157 (Del) Amsa India (P) Ltd. v. CIT

32. 375 ITR 460 (Del) Krown Agro Foods (P) Ltd. v. ACIT.

33. 378 ITR 421 (Del) Oriental Insurance Co. v. CIT

34. 382 ITR 443 (Del) Rustagi Engineering Ldyog(P)Ltd.

v. DCIT

35. 386 ITR 545 (Agya Ram v. Commissioner Of Income Tax, Delhi

36. ITA No. 108/2015 dated 19.11.2015 (Del) CIT v. Independent Media (P) Ltd.

37. 395 ITR 255 Rajiv Agarwal v. ACIT

38. 395 ITR 677 (Del) Pr. CIT v. Meenakshi Overseas (P) Ltd. v. ITO

39. 396 ITR 5 (PR. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX v. RMG POLYVINYL (I) LTD

40. 398 ITR 198 Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. v. ACIT

41. W.P. (C) 7601/2017 dated 29.8.2017 (Del) R.P. Foam Home (P) Ltd. v. ITO

42. CIT vs. S. Goyanka Lime & Chemical Ltd. reported in

237 Taxman 378 (MP)

43. CIT vs. S. Goyanka Lime & Chemical Ltd. reported in 64 taxmann.com 313 (SC).

44. Central India Electricity Supply Co. Ltd. vs. ITO 333 ITR 237 (Del.)

45. Pr. CIT vs. NC Cables Ltd. in ITA No. 335/2015 (DHC)

5. On the contrary, Ld. DR relied upon the orders of the authorities below and stated that Assessing Officer issued the notice u/s. 148 after due application of mind. He stated that the AO has followed due procedure before issuing the notice u/s 148 of the I.T. Act, 1961. The Assessing Officer had tangible material in the form of information received from the Investigation Wing. The Assessing Officer did not proceed to any hearsay, conjecture or surmises. He relied upon the ITAT, Delhi B Bench decision dated 24.10.2018 in the case of DCIT vs. M/s Erawat Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

6. I have heard both the parties and carefully considered the case laws and the relevant documents available on record, especially the impugned order, Paper Book and the case laws cited by both the parties. From the assessment order. I find that assessee had filed its return of income electronically on 23.9.2010 declaring loss of Rs. 10,624/-. Subsequently, information was received from the Investigation Wing, Ahmedabad that client code is a practice under which brokers change the client codes in sale and purchase orders of securities after the trades are conducted. The case was accordingly reopened u/s. 147 of the Act and Notice u/s. 148 of the Act was issued on 29.3.2017 to the assessee. Thereafter, order u/s. 143(3)/147 of the Act was passed on 08.12.2017, assessing the income at Rs. 5,95,410/- after disallowing loss of Rs. 6,02,335/- due to change of client code and disallowance of Rs. 3,702/- on account of commission of 2% for the entry. I further note that the AO while recording the reasons for the belief that income has escaped assessment has recorded the reasons as under:- Reasons for initiating proceedings u/s. 148 and for obtaining approval in the case of M/s Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd. for AY 2010-11

1 Name and address of the assessee M/s Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd. C-159, 1st floor, Phase- I, Ashok Vihar, New Delhi 52

2 Permanent Account No. AACCR8298Q)

3 Status Company

4 District/circle/Range Ward 20(4), New Delhi

5 Assessment year in respect of which it is proposed to be issued notice u/s. 148 of the Income Tax Act. 2010-11

6. The quantum of income which has escaped assessment Rs. 6,02,335/-

7. Whether the clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the explanation 2 to the second proviso of section 147 are applicable. Yes, provisions of section 147(b) applicable.

8 Whether the assessment is proposed to be made for the first time? If reply is in affirmative, please state: (a) whether any voluntary return had already been filed. (b) if so, the date of filing the said return.

9. If the answer to item 8 is in negative, please state (a) The income originally assessed (b) Whether it is a case of under assessment, assessment at too low a rate which has been made the subject of excessive relied or allowing excessive loss or depreciation

10 Whether the provisions of section 150(1) are applying. If the rely is in the affirmative, the relevant facts may be stated against item no. 11 and it may also be brought out that the provisions of section 150(2) would not stand in the way of initiating proceedings u/s. 147.

11. Reasons for the belief that income has escaped assessment. The assessee is a company filed its return of income for AY 2010-11. As per return for AY 2010-11, the details of the Directors of the assessee company obtained from records are hereunder:- (a) Suresh Arora, 581, Ward No. 16, Street Dr. Inderjit Singh, Arya Samaj Road, Sirsa, Haryana-125055. (b) Anjali Arora, 581, Ward No. 16, Street Dr. Inderjit Singh, Arya Samaj Road, Sirsa, Haryana-125055

2. In this case, information was received on 21./03/2016 from Asstt. Director of Income Tax (Investigation), Unit 1(3), Ahmedabad by which a Survey Report was disseminated in case of beneficiary clients who have taken contrived losses and shifted out profits using Client Code Modification.

3. It is a detailed report of 589 pages. On going through the report and gathered that Client Code is a unique code which is assigned by a broker to its clients. A broker can issued just one code to a client. Client Code Modification means modification / change of the client codes after execution of trades. Vide Circular No. SMD/Policy/CIR./03 dated February 6, 2003 SEBI mandates that the stock exchanges shall not normally permit changes in the client code except to correct for genuine mistakes. The client code modifications permit brokers to rectify human errors when a client inadvertently provides a wrong code or when or a wrong code is punched in by the broker while executing the trade. The broker is allowed to change it between 3.30 pm and 4 pm to rectify a genuine error that may have occurred while entering the code. The facility ensures smooth functioning of the system and is to be used as an exception rather than routine. Client code modification means modification of client code after the execution of trade. Over a period of time, some persons, in connivance with brokers started using Client Code Modifications for purposes other than genuine errors. Contrary to its motive, CCM facility was being misused and brokers transferred gains or losses from one person to another by changing the code, in the garb of correcting an error. These gain or loss book entries were then used to evade taxes.

4. Non genuine CCM were carried out to book contrived losses. In some cases, this facility was used by brokers to transfer gains or losses from one party to another by modifying client codes in the guise of rectifying an error. It became a practice to book artificial profits or losses in March to impact tax liabilities. It is generally done by buying or selling stocks intraday so as to say consciously incurs a loss and use that as a tax offset. Client Code Modification (CCM) especially in the Futures and Options Segment (F&O) was being used a devise to evade taxes wherein the client codes were modified for booking artificial profits or losses at fag end (Jan to March) of the Financial year when the book profits / losses of various clients have crystalised. This is done with an intention to impact the tax liabilities of the pair of clients whose codes are modified. On the basis of information received, the assessee company in respect of FY 2009-10 relevant to AY 2010-11 and the following facts are noted that :

a) During the year it has undertaken transactions in sale / purchase of shares, securities in cash segment as well as Future and Options Segment and its turnover could have included the transactions contrived by way of CCM. As per the information received for the period of 01.4.2009 to 31.3.2010, it has undertaken loss worth Rs. 6,02,335/-.

b) The transactions which involved CCM, as per information received under the report of the Investigation Wing are as under:- Name of beneficiar y client Address of beneficiar Name of broker When OC (Ascertaine d Profit Shifted out) When MC (Ascertaine d losses shifted in) reductio n in income due to Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd. C-159, 1st floor, Phase-I, Ashok Vihar, New Delhi Competen t Finman Pvt. Ltd.

0 -602335 -602335

c) Thus, the assessee has shifted in ascertained loss of Rs. - 6,02,335/- through a transaction involving CMM.

4. Thus, a careful scrutiny of information received from the Investigation Wing and analysis of report, data of transactions and verification of ITR/Assessment record lead to an irresistible conclusion that Client Code Modification had been carried out in the case of assessee to shift in ascertained loss of Rs. - 06,02,335/-. By shifting in the above loose through contrived transactions by means of CMM, the assessee has artificially depressed its profits. By withholding these facts surrounding the transaction during the regular assessment proceedings, the assessee has failed to disclose fully and truly all the material facts necessary for its assessment.

5. Considering the above referred credible information and analysis subsequent to the information, I have reason to believe that an amount at least of Rs. -6,02,335/- has escaped assessment in case of M/s Radiance Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd. for the AY 2010-11 within the meaning of section 147/148 of Income Tax Act, 1961. The income has escaped assessment due to the failure of the assessee to disclose fully and truly all the material facts necessary for its assessment. Thus, this specific condition for reopening is hereby fully filled in the instant case as assessee has failed to disclose such material facts on its own earlier. The case is squarely covered under the provisions of section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

6. Since more than 4 years from the end of the since more than

4 years from the end of the relevant assessment year have elapsed, approval of Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi -7 is solicited in terms of the provisions of section 151(1) of the Act. Sd/- (Pradeep) Income Tax Officer, Ward 20(3), New Delhi

12. Whether the Addl. CIT is satisfied on the reasons recorded by the AO that it is a fit case for issue of notice u/s. 148 of the

I.T. Act, 1961 Addl. CIT, Range-20, New Delhi

13. Whether the Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax is satisfied on the reasons recorded by the DCIT, that it is a fit case for the issue of notice u/s. 148. Yes. I am satisfied. Sd/- Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi -7, New Delhi 6.1 After perusing the aforesaid reasons recorded, I find that information was received on 21.3.2016 from Asstt. Director of Income Tax (Investigation) Unit- 1(3), Ahmedabad without conducting any enquiry on the same by Assessing officer and without considering the fact of the case of assessee in light of the issue is not a tangible and relevant material to form opinion that income has escaped assessment. It is noted that the proceedings u/s. 147 of the Act can be initiated only on the basis of the tangible material and not on the basis of assumptions and presumptions. The precondition u/s. 147 of the Act is reason to believe and, the expression is stronger than the word satisfied. The belief entertained by the AO must not be arbitrary or irrational, however, it must be reasonable. In other words, it must be based on reasons which are relevant and material. The existence of tangible and relevant material is a precondition for assuming jurisdiction, as has been held in the case of CIT vs. Kelvinator of India Ltd. reported in 320 ITR 561 (SC) and ACIT vs. Rajesh Jhaveri Stock Brokers (P) Ltd. reported in 291 ITR 500 (SC). Hence, in this case the proceedings have been initiated on the basis of no material much less any tangible and, relevant material and as such reasons record do not constitute valid reason to believe for initiating proceedings u/s 147 of the Act. It is a case of reason to suspect' and not reason to believe. 6.2 I further note that the action of the AO has been taken mechanically on the basis of alleged report of Investigation Wing. The mere recording/ formulation of reasons on the basis of reproduction of information from Investigation Wing and, issuing notice for initiation of re-assessment proceedings does not constitute application of mind much less independent application of mind. Hence, the proceedings are without jurisdiction. It is settled law that AO cannot act mechanically on the basis of report of Investigation Wing and to show that the AO has applied his mind, he must distinct all those materials and he must also show that what was material on record. Hence, initiation of proceedings is also based on non-application of mind much less independent application of mind. This view is fortified by the decision of the Honble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT v. G&G Pharma India Ltd. reported at 384 ITR 147 (Del), wherein it has been held as under:- Today when the case was called out, Mr. Sawhney produced before the Court the very same letter of the AO dated 15th September 2010 which has been reproduced in its entirely in the impugned order of the ITAT. He submitted that the AO was himself present in the Court and further efforts would be made to locate the materials on the basis of which the AO formed his opinion regarding reopening of the assessment. The Court was not prepared to grant further time for this purpose since it was not clear that the materials were, in fact, available with the Department.

12. In the present case, after setting out four entries, stated to have been received by the Assessee on a single date i.e. 10th February 2003, from four entities which were termed as accommodation entries, which information was given to him by the Directorate of Investigation, the AO stated: "I have also perused various materials and report from Investigation Wing and on that basis it is evident that the assessee company has introduced its own unaccounted money in its bank account by way of above accommodation entries." The above conclusion is unhelpful in understanding whether the AO applied his mind to the materials that he talks about particularly since he did not describe what those materials were. Once the date on which the so called accommodation entries were provided is known, it would not have been difficult for the AO, if he had in fact undertaken the exercise, to make a reference to the manner in which those very entries were provided in the accounts of the Assessee, which must have been tendered along with the return, which was filed on 14th November 2004 and was processed under Section 143(3) of the Act. Without forming a prima facie opinion, on the basis of such material, it was not possible for the AO to have simply concluded: "it is evident that the assessee company has introduced its own unaccounted money in its bank by way of accommodation entries". In the considered view of the Court, in light of the law explained with sufficient clarity by the Supreme Court in the decisions discussed hereinbefore, the basic requirement that the AO must apply his mind to the materials in order to have reasons to believe that the income of the Assessee escaped assessment is missing in the present case. 6.3 I further note that in the reasons recorded assessee has relied upon the information by the Investigation Wing, Ahmedabad, the AO has stated that having perused and considered the information received from Investigation Wing he has reason to believe that income of the assessee has escaped which has not been conformed to the assesssee company, in the course of assessment proceedings, though in view of the judgment of Honble Delhi High Court in the case of Sabh Infrastructure Ltd. Vs. ACIT reported in 398 ITR 198 the same was to be confronted alongwith reasons wherein it has been held as under:

(iii) where the reasons make a reference to another document, whether as a letter or report, such document and / or relevant portions of such report should be enclosed alongwith the reasons. 6.3.1 Hence in the absence of such material, the allegation and assumptions are nothing but figment of imagination as they are based on assumption and presumption, apart from being without basis. 6.4 It is further noted that the approval granted by the competent authority is a mechanical approval and action has been taken mechanically because on perusing the reasons recorded, it demonstrates that Pr. CIT has written Yes, I am satisfied. which establishes that the competent authority has not recorded proper satisfaction / approval, before issue of notice u/s. 148 of the I.T. Act. Thereafter, the AO has mechanically issued notice u/s. 148 of the Act, on the basis of information allegedly received by him from the (Inv.)), Unit 1(3), Ahmedabad. Keeping in view of the facts and circumstances of the present case and the case law applicable in the case of the assessee, I am of the considered view that the reopening in the case of the assessee for the asstt. Year in dispute is bad in law and deserves to be quashed. My aforesaid view is fortified by the following decisions:- (A) Honble Delhi High Court in the case of Pr. CIT vs. M/s NC Cables Ltd. in ITA No. 335/2015 has held as under:-

11. Section 151 of the Act clearly stipulates that the CIT(a), who is the competent authority to authorize the reassessment notice, has to apply his mind and form an opinion. The mere appending of the expression approved says nothing. It is not as if the CIT(A) has to record elaborate reasons for agreeing with the noting put up. At the same time, satisfaction has to be recorded of the given case which can be reflected in the briefest possible manner. In the present case, the exercise appears to have been ritualistic and formal rather than meaningful, which is the rationale for the safeguard of an approval by a higher ranking officer, For these reasons, the Court is satisfied that the findings by the ITAT cannot be disturbed. (B). Honble High Court of Madhya Pradesh in the case of CIT vs. S. Goyanka Lime & Chemicals Ltd. reported in (2015) 56 taxmann.com 390 (MP) has held as under:-

7. We have considered the rival contentions and we find that while according sanction, the Joint Commissioner, Income Tax has only recorded so Yes, I am Satisfied. In the case of ARjun Singh vs. Asstt. DIT (2000) 246 ITR 363 (MP), the same question has been considered by a Coordinate Bench of this Court and the following principles are laid down:- The Commissioner acted, of course, mechanically in order to discharge his statutory obligation properly in the matter of recording sanction as he merely wrote on the format Yes, I am satisfied which indicates as if he was to sign only on the dotted line. Even otherwise also, the exercise is shown to have been performed in less than 24 hours of time which also goes to indicate that the Commisisoner did not apply his mind at all while granting sanction. The satisfaction has to be with objectivity on objective material

8. If the case in hand is analysed on the basis of the aforesaid principle, the mechanical way of recording satisfaction by the Joint Commissioner, which accords sanction for issuing notice under section 148, is clearly unsustainable and we find that on such consideration both the appellate authorities have interfered into the matter. In doing so, no error has been committed warranting reconsideration. (C.) Honble Supreme Court of India in the case of CIT vs. S. Goyanka Lime & Chemical Ltd. reported in (2015)

64 taxmann.com 313 (SC) in the Head Notes has held that Section 151, read with section 148 of Income Tax Act, 1961 Income escaping assessment Sanction for issue of notice (Recording of satisfaction) High Court by impugned order held that where Joint Commissioner recorded satisfaction in mechanical manner and without application of mind to accord sanction for issuing notice under section 148, reopening of assessment was invalid Whether Special Leave Petition filed against impugned order was to be dismissed Held, Yes (in favour of the Assessee). 6.5 I further note that it is well settled law that reasons alone can be looked into and, cannot be supported by any supplementary or additional material. 6.6 I further note that Assessing Officer at page no. 2 of his assessment order dated 8.12.2017 u/s. 147/143(3) of the Act stated as under:- Objection to reopening Assessee filed objection vide letter dated 24.11.2017 to the notice u/s. 148/reason recorded. Removal of objection The objection filed by the assessee were rejected vide order dated 27.11.2017. 6.6.1 After perusing the aforesaid extracts from the assessment order, it is evident that the assessee has raised objection to initiation of assessment proceedings u/s. 147 of the Act vide letter dated 24.11.2017 and the aforesaid objections were disposed of by the AO vide order dated 27.11.2017, which shows that the AO did not accept the objections so filed, he shall not proceed further in the matter with in a very short period of service of order disposing off objection, however, he has made the order of assessment u/s. 147/143(3) of the Act on 8.12.2017, which is not in accordance with law and not permissible. This view is fortified by the following decisions:-

i) ITA NO. 5780/D/2014 DATED 6.4.2018 Meta Plast Engineering (P) Ltd. v. ITO

9. Further, in view of the decision of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in the case of Bharat Jayant Patel (supra), learned AO held should have allowed four weeks time to the assessee to seek their legal remedies after rejection of the objections of the assessee. In view of the fact that the AO has disposed of the objections of the assessee on 22.11.11 and passed the assessment order on 19.12.2011, it is clear that no such time was granted to the assessee. Further, the reasons recorded at the time of assumption of jurisdiction by the AO that the assessee has received an accommodation entry of Rs.15 lacs whereas at the time of framing of assessment, the assessee was assessed the share application money to the tune of Rs.2.15 crores. We find reason in the submission of learned AR that in view of the decision in PCIT vs. RMG Polyvinyl (I) Ltd.386 ITR 5 (Bom), such an error indicates non application of mind by the learned AO. ii) 296 ITR 90 (Bom) Asian Paints Ltd. vs. DCIT

3. The learned senior counsel for the petitioner pointed out that in some of the cases as soon as the objections were rejected by the concerned Income- tax Officer, even the assessment order has been passed within a very short time whereby the assessee is left without any remedy to challenge such an order of rejection.

4. Hence we make it clear that if the Assessing Officer does not accept the objections so filed, he shall not proceed further in the matter within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of service of the said order on objections, on the assessee.

5. Accordingly, rule is made absolute.

6. We also direct that the Income Tax Officer concerned shall follow the above procedure strictly in all such cases of reopening of assessment. 6.7 As regards case law cited by the ld. DR is concerned, the same is an exparte order and on distinguished facts and circumstances of the case. 6.8 In the background of the aforesaid discussions and respectfully following the precedents, as aforesaid, I am of the considered view that proceedings initiated by invoking the provisions of section 147 of the Act by the AO and upheld by the Ld. CIT(A) are nonest in law and without jurisdiction, hence, the re-assessment is quashed. Since I have already quashed the re-assessment, the other grounds have become academic and are therefore not adjudicated and accordingly, the assessees appeal is allowed.

7. In the result, the Appeal filed by the Assessee stands allowed Order pronounced on 29-11-2018. Sd/- [H.S. SIDHU] JUDICIAL MEMBER Dated: 29-11-2018 SRBhatnagar Copy forwarded to:

1. Appellant

2. Respondent

3. CIT

4. CIT (A)

5. DR, ITAT AR, ITAT, NEW DELHI.