ii) CIT vs. University Printers, (1991) 188 ITR 206(AII) [mere rejection of the
explanation of the assessee would not mean that there was concealment
of income]
7. The learned CIT(A) also considered the judgment of Calcutta High Court in the case of CIT v. Calcutta Credit Corporation (1987) 166 ITR 29 (Cal) and of Allahabad High Court in the case of CIT v. Universal Printers (1991) 188 ITR 206 (All) which had been relied upon by the learned counsel for the assessees. The learned CIT(A) found that both the cases were distinguishable on facts. In both the cases the addition made related to cash credits. The assessees had not admitted that the alleged cash credits represented their unaccounted income. The assessees were also able to put across explanations about source of cash credit. On such facts the Hon'ble High Courts held that where two opinions on the same facts were possible or explanation offered by the assessee was rejected, that by itself would not justify imposition of penalty under Section 271(1)(c).
7. The learned Commissioner (Appeals) also considered the judgment of Calcutta High Court in the case of CIT v. Calcutta Credit Corpn. (1987) 166 ITR 291 (Cal) and of Allahabad High Court in the case of CIT v. University Printers (1991) 188 ITR 206 (All) which had been relied upon by the learned counsel for the assessees. The learned Commissioner (Appeals) found that both the cases were distinguishable on facts. In both the cases the addition made related to cash credits. The assessees had not admitted that the alleged cash credits represented their unaccounted income. The assessees were also able to put across Explanations about source of cash credit. On such facts the Hon'ble High Courts held that where two opinions on the same facts were possible or Explanation offered by the assessee was rejected, that by itself would not justify imposition of penalty under section 271(1)(c).
5.1 In respect of levy of penalty on addition on account of cash credits, the
assessee pleaded that there must be concrete evidence or circumstances
leading to a conclusion that the amount does represent assessee's income and
the circumstances must show that there was conscious concealment or act of
furnishing of inaccurate particulars. Explanation 1 to section 271(1)(c) of the Act
does not make the assessment order a conclusive evidence so as to establish
that the amount assessed is, in fact, the income of the assessee and the
assessee relied on the decisions in the case of CIT vs Ramaswamy Naidu (1994)
8 ITA 274/Ahd/2006
208 ITR 377 (Mad); CIT vs University Printers (1991) 188 ITR 206 (Cal); Addl
CIT vs Sawan Motor Stores (1977) 109 ITR 660 (AP); CIT vs Shri Bajrang
Trading & Supply Co (1991) 187 ITR 299 (Cal); PSS Bommanna Chettiar vs CIT
(1969) 73 ITR 26 (Mad),and ITO vs Bombaywala Readymade Stores (2004) 91
ITD 225 (Ahd)(TM).
• The Hon'ble Allahabad High Court has held in the case of CIT
vs University Printers 188 ITR 206 (All) that: "merely because
the explanation offered by the assessee was rejected, It
furnished no ground for levying penalty until and unless it was
found that the amount of question constituted the concealed
income of the assessee. Since there was no material except the
fact that the explanation offered by the assessee was rejected,
the Imposition of penalty Is not warranted."
yr. 1986-87 a similar addition had been made by the ITO, but penalty proceedings initiated under S. 271(1)(c) were subsequently dropped. As regards asst. yr. 1985-86 the learned counsel stated that penalty proceedings were initiated, but no penalty was levied. On the question of mensrea/mala fide intention, the learned counsel placed reliance on the decision of the Supreme Court in Cement Marketing Co. of India Ltd. vs. Asstt. CST (1980) 124 ITR 15 (SC) and that of the Allahabad High Court in the case of CIT vs. University Printers (1991) 188 ITR 206 (All). In concluding his arguments the learned counsel urged that the penalty be cancelled.