Sunil Agarwal vs Assistant Commissioner Of Income Tax on 31 May, 2002
25. The second retraction by Shri Ramesh Manocha is also very interesting. His statement was recorded on 12th July, 1996, wherein he conceded that he was engaged in issuing bogus bills in respect of which he was earning commission from the assessee in respect of his three concerns. Later on Shri Rajesh Manocha vide his letter dt. 15th July, 1996, again confirmed the same and also stated that Shri Jagvinay Singh and Shri Surinder Pal Singh, the proprietors of the two other concerns were also involved in issuing bogus bills and the bills were prepared at his own residence. Then came the retraction on 29th Aug., 1996, stating that his statement recorded on 12th July, 1996, was under a coercion. If these facts are tested on the judgment in the case of Puttangode Rubber Produce Co. Ltd. (supra), the retraction can only be said to be unsuccessful. If the statement recorded by the AO on 12th July, 1996, was under threat, his voluntary letter dt. 15th July, 1996, stating the similar facts cannot be said to be made under any threat or fear or coercion. These two things happened on different dates and had a gap of three days. In the light of these facts, the retraction made by Shri Ramesh Manocha on 29th Aug., 1996, in respect of statement dt. 12th July, 1996, does not stand to pass the test laid down in the precedents cited in this connection.