In this connection, reliance is placed on judicial precedents
in the cases of EMA India Ltd. v. ACIT 226 CTR (All) 659 and Consolidated
Photo & Finvest Ltd. v. ACIT 281 ITR 394 (Del.) wherein it has been held that
the principle that a mere change of opinion cannot be a basis for reopening
completed assessment would be applicable only to situations where the
Assessing Officer has applied his mind and taken a conscious decision on
particular matter in issue and not where the order of assessment does not
address itself to the aspect which is the basis for reopening of the assessment.
Following the same legal principle, it cannot be said even in the instant case
that there was any application of mind on part of the AO on this issue at the
time of previous assessments and, therefore, the reopening of said assessment
in these circumstances cannot be said to be based on change of opinion.
4.3.3 As regards the appellant's objections to the reopening of its
assessment, it is found that the AO had disposed of the same vide a speaking
order passed on 16.03.2015. The reasons recorded by the AO are found to be
having a live link with the formation of his belief. The belief entertained by
the AO was that of an honest and reasonable person based upon reasonable
grounds rather than on gossip, rumour or suspicion. Thus, there is no hesitation
in holding that the requirements of section 147 were fully satisfied in the
present case.
"Section 147 authorises and permits the Assessing Officer to assess or reassess
income chargeable to lax if he has reason to believe that income for any
assessment year has escaped assessment. The word "reason" in the phrase
"reason to believe" would mean cause or justification. If the AO has cause or
justification to know or suppose (hat income had escaped assessment, it can be
said to have reason to believe that an income had escaped assessment. The
expression cannot be read to mean that the AO should have finally ascertained
the fact by legal statute with solicitude for the public exchequer with an inbuilt
idea of fairness to taxpayers. As observed by the Supreme Court in Central
Provinces Managnese Ore Co, ltd. v. ITO(1991) 191 ITR 662, for initiation of
action under section 147(a) (as the provision stood at the relevant time)
fulfillment of the two requisite conditions in that regard is essential. At that
stage, the final outcome of the proceeding is not relevant. In other words, at the
initiation stage, what is required is "reason to believe", but not the established
fact of escapement of income. At the stage of issue of notice, the only question
is whether there was relevant material on which a reasonable person could have
formed a requisite belief Whether the materials would conclusively prove the
escapement is not the concern at that stage. This is so because the formation of
belief by the AO is within the realm of subjective satisfaction ITO v. Selected
Dalurband Coal Co, (P.)
This proposition is duly supported by Hon'ble Apex Court decision in the
case of Sumati Dayal vs. CIT [1995] 214 ITR 801 (SC) and CIT vs. Durga Prasad
More [1971] 82 ITR 540 (SC). In the present case, the assessee wants that the
unassailable fact that the suppliers are non-existent and, thus, bogus should be ignored
and only the documents being produced should be considered. This proposition is
totally unsustainable in light of Hon'ble Apex Court decisions.
17. I further find that Hon'ble jurisdictional High Court in the case of Nikunj Eximp
Enterprises (in Writ petition no 2860, order dt. 18.6.2014) has upheld 100%
allowance for the purchases said to be bogus when the sales have not been doubted.
However, the facts of that case were different. Furthermore, the sales in that case were
basically to government departments. Hence, the ratio from this decision is not
applicable on the facts of the case.
In these circumstances, the learned Departmental Representative has referred to
Hon'ble Gujarat High Court decision in the case of Tax Appeal No. 240 of 2003 in
11 ITA No. 3872/Mum/2017 (A.Y.2010-11)
M/s. Sejal Gems Pvt. Ltd. vs. Dy. CIT
the case of N K Industries vs. Dy. CIT vide order dated 20.06.2016, wherein 100% of
the bogus purchases was held to be added in the hands of the assessee and tribunals
restriction of the addition to 25% of the bogus purchases was set aside. It was
expounded that when purchase bills have been found to be bogus, 100% disallowance
was required. The special leave petition against this order along with others has been
dismissed by the Hon'ble Apex Court vide order dated 16.1.2017.