The Commissioner Of Income Tax Xiii v. Radhey Shyam Bansal

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Judgment reserved on: 23[rd] May, 2011 % Judgment pronounced on: 30[th] May, 2011 + 1. ITA No.582/2008 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus RADHEY SHYAM BANSAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 2. ITA No.398/2008 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus ONE-UP SHARES & STOCK BROKING P. LTD… Respondent Through: Ms. Kavita Jha, Adv. 3. ITA No.578/2008 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 1 of 47 MANOJ BANSAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 4. ITA No.583/2008 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus SUKESH KUMAR GUPTA ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 5. ITA No.287/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus SUDHIR DHINGRA ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 6. ITA No.355/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 2 of 47 GULSHAN KUMAR LUTHRA ..... Respondent Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. Through: 7. ITA No.402/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus SUKESH KUMAR GUPTA ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 8. ITA No.670/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus ANIL KUMAR BANSAL Through: None. ..... Respondent 9. ITA No.711/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus SADHU RAM AGGARWAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 3 of 47 10. ITA No.857/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX VIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus H.P. GOEL Through: None. ..... Respondent 11. ITA No.1075/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus BHARAT BHUSHAN JAIN ..... Respondent Through: None. 12. ITA No.1279/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. Through: versus S.P. BHAGAT AND SONS HUF ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 13. ITA No.149/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 4 of 47 SMT. BADAMI DEVI BAFNA ..... Respondent Through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Mr. Ashwani Tanjeja, Ms. Poonam Ahuja & Mr. Johnson Bora, ADvs. 14. ITA No.154/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus CHAMUNDA SECURITIES PVT. LTD. Through: None. ..... Respondent 15. ITA No.748/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus VEENA GUPTA Through: None. ..... Respondent 16. ITA No.279/2010 13. ITA No.149/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 4 of 47 SMT. BADAMI DEVI BAFNA ..... Respondent Through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Mr. Ashwani Tanjeja, Ms. Poonam Ahuja & Mr. Johnson Bora, ADvs. 14. ITA No.154/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus CHAMUNDA SECURITIES PVT. LTD. Through: None. ..... Respondent 15. ITA No.748/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus VEENA GUPTA Through: None. ..... Respondent 16. ITA No.279/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX XIII ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus SANJAY RAI CHOWDHARY ..... Respondent Through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Mr. Ashwani Tanjeja, Ms. Poonam Ahuja & Mr. Johnson Bora, ADvs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 5 of 47 17. ITA No.1145/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus RASHMI MONGA ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 18. ITA No.196/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. ..... Appellant versus MS. ANU AGGARWAL Through: None. ..... Respondent 19. ITA No.655/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus GOLDEDGE ESTATES AND INVESTIMENTS LTD. ..... Respondent Through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Mr. Ashwani Tanjeja, Ms. Poonam Ahuja & Mr. Johnson Bora, ADvs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 6 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus RAGHUBIR SINGH GARGH ..... Respondent Through: Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Mr. Ashwani Tanjeja, Ms. Poonam Ahuja & Mr. Johnson Bora, ADvs. 21. ITA No.1421/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus SECURITIES BROKERS OF INDIA LTD. Through: None. ..... Respondent 22. ITA No.550/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus VYOM FINANCIAL SERVICES PVT. LTD. ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 7 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus VYOM FINANCIAL SERVICE PVT. LTD. ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 24. ITA No.1313/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus MONIKA SAXENA Through: None. ..... Respondent 25. ITA No.1326/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus MONIKA SAXENA Through: None. ..... Respondent ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 8 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus GALLRI DEVI Through: None. ..... Respondent 27. ITA No.75/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. ..... Appellant versus MADHU GUPTA ..... Respondent Through: Mr.Manu K. Giri and Mr.Rajesh Mahna, Advs. 28. ITA No.198/2010 versus MONIKA SAXENA Through: None. ..... Respondent 25. ITA No.1326/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus MONIKA SAXENA Through: None. ..... Respondent ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 8 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus GALLRI DEVI Through: None. ..... Respondent 27. ITA No.75/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: Mr. Abhishek Maratha, Adv. ..... Appellant versus MADHU GUPTA ..... Respondent Through: Mr.Manu K. Giri and Mr.Rajesh Mahna, Advs. 28. ITA No.198/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus GAURI SHANKAR AGGARWAL Through: None. ..... Respondent 29. ITA No.237/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Abhishek Maratha, Adv. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 9 of 47 versus PRASAD AND CO. PVT. LTD. Through: None. ..... Respondent 30. ITA No.374/2010 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr.Abhishek Maratha, Adv. versus M/S SHRI CHAMUNDA SECURITIES PVT. LTD...... Respondent Through: None. 31. ITA No.212/2011 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus UDDHAN PROPERTIES LTD. Through: None. ..... Respondent 32. ITA No.53/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus SMT. KULDEEP KAUR Through: None. ..... Respondent ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 10 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus LAKHBIR SINGH (HUF) ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 34. ITA No.477/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus LAJ BHAGAT ..... Respondent Through: Mr.Manu K. Giri and Mr.Rajesh Mahna, Advs. 35. ITA No.483/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus NARENDER UPPAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 11 of 47 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus RAJAT BHANDARI Through: ..... Respondent Mr.Manu K. Giri and Mr.Rajesh Mahna, Advs. 37. ITA No.822/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus PARAMJIT SINGH ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 38. ITA No.996/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus ALKA BHANDARI ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 12 of 47 39. ITA No.1064/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus V.K. NARANG HUF ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 40. ITA No.1098/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus S.S. DHANJAL 38. ITA No.996/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus ALKA BHANDARI ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 12 of 47 39. ITA No.1064/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus V.K. NARANG HUF ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. 40. ITA No.1098/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal, Adv. versus S.S. DHANJAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr.Manu K. Giri and Mr.Rajesh Mahna, Advs. 41. ITA No.1119/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Mr.Sanjeev Sabharwal, Adv. versus ANITA AGGARWAL ..... Respondent Through: Mr. Salil Kapoor, Mr. Sanat Kapoor and Mr.Anikit Gupta, Advs. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 13 of 47 42. ITA No.1163/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Ms. Prem Lata Bansal, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Ruchir Bhatia, Adv. versus ASHOK KUMAR AND SONS HUF Through: None. ..... Respondent 43. ITA No.1318/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ..... Appellant Through: Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. versus SUNIL JAIN Through: None. ..... Respondent 44. ITA No.1329/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: None. ..... Appellant versus RENU VERMA Through: None. ..... Respondent 45. ITA No.1373/2009 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX Through: ..... Appellant Mr. Chandramani Bhardwaj, Adv. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 14 of 47 versus SUNIL JAIN Through: None. ..... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV KHANNA 1. Whether reporters of the local papers be allowed to see the Yes judgment? judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporter or not? Yes 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? Yes 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? Yes DIPAK MISRA, CJ In this batch of appeals under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for brevity ‗the Act‘) preferred by the revenue. ITA No.582/2008, Commissioner of Income Tax v. Radhey Shyam Bansal has been treated as the lead case. It is stated that the relevant facts in all appeals are identical/similar, though details and particulars may be different. Four questions have been set out as substantial questions of law, but in the course of hearing, learned counsel appearing for the revenue have stated that the real questions that emerge for consideration are as follows: ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 15 of 47 ―A. Whether the Assessing Officer is bound to record satisfaction within the meaning of Section 158BD of the Act, during the process of Assessment of the person searched under Section 158BC of the Act? process of Assessment of the person searched under Section 158BC of the Act? B. Whether satisfaction as contemplated in Section 158BD of the Act has been duly recorded regard being had to be letter dated 15.7.2003 or in the assessment order, wherein undisclosed income of the respondent-assessee has been reflected and negation of such satisfaction by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is erroneous and perverse for not accepting such satisfaction?‖15.7.2003 or in the assessment order, wherein undisclosed income of the respondent-assessee has been reflected and negation of such satisfaction by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is erroneous and perverse for not accepting such satisfaction?‖ B. Whether satisfaction as contemplated in Section 158BD of the Act has been duly recorded regard being had to be letter dated 15.7.2003 or in the assessment order, wherein undisclosed income of the respondent-assessee has been reflected and negation of such satisfaction by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is erroneous and perverse for not accepting such satisfaction?‖15.7.2003 or in the assessment order, wherein undisclosed income of the respondent-assessee has been reflected and negation of such satisfaction by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is erroneous and perverse for not accepting such satisfaction?‖ 2. At the very outset, we may set out the facts from ITA No.582/2008 for the sake of clarity and convenience. As is evincible from the narration, there was a search under Section 132 of the Act in the premises of one Manoj Aggarwal of Baldev Park, Delhi on 30.8.2000. In the course of the search, several materials were seized on the basis of which a block assessment was completed in the case of Manoj Aggarwal under Section ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 16 of 47 158BC of the Act on 29.8.2002. On 15.7.2003, a letter was sent by the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal to the assessing officer of the –respondent assessee, namely, Radhey Shyam Bansal to the effect that the said assessee was acting as a mediator in transactions involving substantial tax evasion by giving bogus accommodation entries to various persons. 3. After receipt of the communication from the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal, the assessing officer of the respondent sent a notice on 22.3.2004 purportedly under Section 158B of the Act. The respondent was called upon to file a block return within 30 days of the receipt of the notice. The respondent, as is evident, filed the requisite return for the period from the assessment year 1991-92 to the assessment year 2001-02 (upto the 30.8.2000, the date of search) in the prescribed form declaring the income at Rs. Nil as undisclosed income. The assessing officer framed an order of assessment and determined that there was undisclosed income earned by way of commission of Rs.50,85,315/-. In addition, he also included Rs.9,81,29,575/- as unexplained investment under Section 69 of the Act on protective basis on the footing that the assessee had paid cash to Manoj Aggarwal. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 17 of 47 4. Being dissatisfied with the order of assessment, the respondent preferred an appeal before CIT (Appeals) putting forth number of contentions including the submission that the notice under Section 158B was barred by limitation; that the assessing officer assessing the searched person (Manoj Aggarwal) had not recorded any satisfaction under Section 158BD; that no opportunity to cross-examine the person on the basis of whose statement allegations were made against him; that no opportunity was afforded to him to rebut the material collected and utilized against him; and that the rate of commission adopted by the assessing officer was totally exaggerated and not based on any material evidence on record. –The CIT (A) did not accept the contentions of the respondent –5. The CIT (A) did not accept the contentions of the respondent assessee that no satisfaction was recorded by the assessing officer in the case of the searched person. The first appellate authority took note of the fact that the assessing officer assessing Manoj Aggarwal had communicated vide letter dated 15.7.2003 to the assessing officer having jurisdiction over the assessee, in which he had mentioned that the diaries seized from the possession of Manoj Aggarwal which established that the assessee Radhey Shyam Bansal was a mediator who had provided book entries to various ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 18 of 47 –The CIT (A) did not accept the contentions of the respondent –5. The CIT (A) did not accept the contentions of the respondent assessee that no satisfaction was recorded by the assessing officer in the case of the searched person. The first appellate authority took note of the fact that the assessing officer assessing Manoj Aggarwal had communicated vide letter dated 15.7.2003 to the assessing officer having jurisdiction over the assessee, in which he had mentioned that the diaries seized from the possession of Manoj Aggarwal which established that the assessee Radhey Shyam Bansal was a mediator who had provided book entries to various ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 18 of 47 beneficiaries; and that there was evidence of cash amounts were received by Manoj Aggawal from Radhey Shyam Bansal. On the aforesaid basis, the CIT(A) came to the conclusion that the communication dated 15.7.2003 amounted to the satisfaction of the assessing officer assessing the searched person as required by Section 158BD. Be it noted, the other contentions raised by the respondent were also negatived. –6. Grieved by the aforesaid order of the CIT(A), the respondent assessee approached the tribunal in IT(SS) A.No.12/Del/2007 and in the appeal it was urged that the notice under Section 158BD was not issued within a reasonable period of time inasmuch as a period of nearly 19 months had elapsed from the date of completion of block assessment of Manoj Aggarwal before the notice under Section 158BD issued; that no satisfaction was recorded by the assessing officer assessing Manoj Aggarwal as required under Section 158BD of the Act; that the letter dated 15.7.2003 written by the said assessing officer to the assessing officer having jurisdiction over the respondent -assessee was written much after the block assessment was completed in the case of Manoj Aggarwal, which was against the statutory provision and in any case, no satisfaction was discernible from the said ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 19 of 47 letter; that the order of assessment was vitiated being violative of principle of natural justice since the assessing officer had collected material behind the back of the assessee without confronting the assessee with the same for rebuttal; and that the order of assessment had travelled beyond the seized materials. 7. The aforesaid contentions of the assessee-respondent before the tribunal was resisted by the revenue contending, inter alia, the recording of satisfaction was in accord with the stipulations enshrined in Section 158BD of the Act; that the initiation of the proceeding was done within a reasonable period of time; that the principles of natural justice had been religiously followed; and that the order of assessment did not suffer from any infirmity. 8. The tribunal, considering the contentions of the learned counsel for the parties and upon scrutiny of the documents brought on record, posed the question whether recording of satisfaction by the assessing officer assessing the person searched under Section 132 of the Act that any undisclosed income belongs to any person other than the searched person is mandatory or not. The tribunal relying on the decision in Manish Maheshwari v. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 20 of 47 8. The tribunal, considering the contentions of the learned counsel for the parties and upon scrutiny of the documents brought on record, posed the question whether recording of satisfaction by the assessing officer assessing the person searched under Section 132 of the Act that any undisclosed income belongs to any person other than the searched person is mandatory or not. The tribunal relying on the decision in Manish Maheshwari v. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 20 of 47 Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax & anr., (2007) 289 ITR 341 (SC), came to hold that no satisfaction had been recorded by the assessing officer assessing Manoj Aggarwal, as there is no reflection of satisfaction in the order of assessment, and further the notice dated 22.3.2004 issued under Section 158BC read with Section 158BD did not refer to any satisfaction of the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal. It is noteworthy that the tribunal referred to the satisfaction note dated 22.3.2004 which is a note recorded by –the assessing officer of the assessee respondent but not that of the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal who is the searched person. The tribunal also referred to the letter dated 15.7.2003 written by DCIT Central, New Delhi the assessing officer having jurisdiction on Manoj Aggarwal to the assessing officer of the respondent-assessee and came to hold that the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal could not have made such a communication after the assessment of the person searched was completed. Be it noted, to arrive at the said conclusion the tribunal placed reliance on the decision rendered by the Co-ordinate Bench at Chandigarh in the case of ACIT, Yamunanagar vs. Kishore Lal Balwant Rai, Jagdhari decided on 29.6.2007. In the view of the tribunal, the assessing officer of Manoj ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 21 of 47 Aggarwal had become functus officio on passing the assessment order and hence, could not have recorded any satisfaction. After so holding, the tribunal proceeded to enquire whether the notice under Section 158B required to be issued within a reasonable time and there was delay rendering the whole proceeding vulnerable in law. The tribunal took note of the fact that the block assessment of Manoj Aggarwal was completed on 29.8.2002 but the notice to the respondent-assessee under Section 158BD was issued only on 22.3.2004, i.e., after 19 months later. The tribunal placing reliance on the decision in Khandubhai Vasanji Desai and others v. DCIT, (1999) 236 ITR 73 (Gujarat) came to hold that notice was issued well beyond a reasonable period. 9. Being of the aforesaid view, the tribunal set aside the order of assessment, which had been concurred with by the first appellate authority, and allowed the appeal preferred by the assessee. 10. Regard being had to the questions framed, we are only required to address whether the recording of satisfaction of the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal is mandatory and further whether in the facts and ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 22 of 47 circumstances of the case the satisfaction has been recorded. 11. In the case of Manish Maheshwari (supra), a two-Judge Bench of the Apex Court dealt with invocation of provision of block assessment against a person other than the person whose premises were searched under Section 132 of the Act. Their Lordships referred to Section 132 and sub-section (1A) of Section 132, Rule 112 of the IT Rules, 1962 and came to hold as follows: ―6. Search and seizure is to be made in terms of r.112 of the IT Rules, 1962. For the purpose of invoking the said provision, special procedure for assessment is laid down in Chapter XIV-B, the conditions precedent where for as laid down must be satisfied. Secs.158BC and 158BD read as under: circumstances of the case the satisfaction has been recorded. 11. In the case of Manish Maheshwari (supra), a two-Judge Bench of the Apex Court dealt with invocation of provision of block assessment against a person other than the person whose premises were searched under Section 132 of the Act. Their Lordships referred to Section 132 and sub-section (1A) of Section 132, Rule 112 of the IT Rules, 1962 and came to hold as follows: ―6. Search and seizure is to be made in terms of r.112 of the IT Rules, 1962. For the purpose of invoking the said provision, special procedure for assessment is laid down in Chapter XIV-B, the conditions precedent where for as laid down must be satisfied. Secs.158BC and 158BD read as under: ―158BC. Procedure for block assessment. - Where any search has been conducted under s.132 or books of account, other documents or assets are requisitioned under s. 132A, in the case of any person, then: (a) the AO shall - (i) in respect of search initiated or books of accounts or other documents or any assets requisitioned after the 30th day of June, 1995 but before the 1st day of January, 1997, serve a notice to such person requiring him to furnish within such time not being less than fifteen days; ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 23 of 47 (ii) in respect of search initiated or books of accounts or other documents or any assets requisitioned on or after the 1st day of January, 1997 serve a notice to such person requiring him to furnish within such time not being less than fifteen days but not more than forty-five days; as may be specified in the notice a return in the prescribed form and verified in the same manner as a return under cl. (1) of sub-s. (1) of s.142, setting forth his total income including the undisclosed income for the block period: Provided that no notice under s. 148 is required to be issued for the purpose of proceeding under this Chapter: Provided further that a person who has furnished a return under this clause shall not be entitled to file a revised return; (b) the AO shall proceed to determine the undisclosed income of the block period in the manner laid down in s.158BB and the provisions of s.142, sub-ss. (2) and (3) of s.143 and s.144 shall, so far as may be, apply; (c) the AO, on determination of the undisclosed income of the block period in accordance with this Chapter, shall pass an order of assessment and determine the tax payable by him on the basis of such assessment; (d) the assets seized under s.132 or requisitioned under s. 132A shall be retained to the extent necessary and the provisions of s.132B shall apply subject to such modifications as may be ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 24 of 47 necessary and the references to ‗regular assessment‘ or ‗reassessment‘ in s.132B shall be construed as references to ‗block assessment‘.‖ ―158BD. Undisclosed income of any other person - Where the AO is satisfied that any undisclosed income belongs to any person, other than the person with respect to whom search was made under s.132 or whose books of account or other documents or any assets were requisitioned under s.132A, then, the books of account, other documents or assets seized or requisitioned shall be handed over to the AO having jurisdiction over such other person and that AO shall proceed against such other person and the provisions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly.‖ necessary and the references to ‗regular assessment‘ or ‗reassessment‘ in s.132B shall be construed as references to ‗block assessment‘.‖ ―158BD. Undisclosed income of any other person - Where the AO is satisfied that any undisclosed income belongs to any person, other than the person with respect to whom search was made under s.132 or whose books of account or other documents or any assets were requisitioned under s.132A, then, the books of account, other documents or assets seized or requisitioned shall be handed over to the AO having jurisdiction over such other person and that AO shall proceed against such other person and the provisions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly.‖ 7. Condition precedent for invoking a block assessment is that a search has been conducted under s.132, or documents or assets have been requisitioned under s.132A. The said provision would apply in the case of any person in respect of whom search has been carried out under s.132A or documents or assets have been requisitioned under s.132A. Sec. 158BD, however, provides for taking recourse to a block assessment in terms of s.158BC in respect of any other person, the conditions precedent where for are : (i) Satisfaction must be recorded by the AO that any undisclosed income belongs to any person, other than the person with respect to whom search was made under s.132 of the Act; (ii) The books of account or other documents or assets seized or requisitioned had been handed over to the AO having jurisdiction over such other person; and (iii) The AO has proceeded under s.158BC against such other person. The conditions precedent for invoking the provisions of ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 25 of 47 s.158BD, thus, are required to be satisfied before the provisions of the said chapter are applied in relation to any person other than the person whose premises had been searched or whose documents and other assets had been requisitioned under s.132A of the Act. 8. A taxing statute, as is well-known, must be construed strictly. In Sneh Enterprises v. Commissioner of Customs, (2006) 7 SCC 714, it was held: ―While dealing with a taxing provision, the principle of 'strict interpretation' should be applied. The Court shall not interpret the statutory provision in such a manner which would create an additional fiscal burden on a person. It would never be done by invoking the provisions of another Act, which are not attracted. It is also trite that while two interpretations are possible, the Court ordinarily would interpret the provisions in favour of a tax-payer and against the Revenue.‖ 9. Yet again in J. Srinivasa Rao v. Govt. of A.P. and Anr. 2006 (13) SCALE 27, it was held: ―In a case of doubt or dispute, it is well-settled, construction has to be made in favour of the taxpayer and against the Revenue.‖ 10. In Ispat Industries Ltd. v. Commr. of Customs JT 2006 (12) SC 379 : 2006 (9) SCALE 652, this Court opined: "In our opinion if there are two possible interpretations of a rule, one which subserves the object of a provision in the parent statute and the other which does not, we have to adopt the former, because adopting the latter will make the rule ultra ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 26 of 47 vires the Act.‖ 11. Law in this regard is clear and explicit. The only question which arises for our consideration is as to whether the notice dated 06.02.1996 satisfies the requirements of s.158BD of the Act. The said notice does not record any satisfaction on the part of the AO. Documents and other assets recovered during search had not been handed over to the AO having jurisdiction in the matter. X X "In our opinion if there are two possible interpretations of a rule, one which subserves the object of a provision in the parent statute and the other which does not, we have to adopt the former, because adopting the latter will make the rule ultra ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 26 of 47 vires the Act.‖ 11. Law in this regard is clear and explicit. The only question which arises for our consideration is as to whether the notice dated 06.02.1996 satisfies the requirements of s.158BD of the Act. The said notice does not record any satisfaction on the part of the AO. Documents and other assets recovered during search had not been handed over to the AO having jurisdiction in the matter. X X 16. As the AO has not recorded its satisfaction, which is mandatory; nor has it transferred the case to the AO having jurisdiction over the matter, we are of the opinion that the impugned judgments of the High Court cannot be sustained, which are set aside accordingly. The appeals are allowed. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case, there shall be no order as to costs.‖ 12. On a perusal of the aforesaid decision, it is graphically clear that the recording of satisfaction by the assessing officer of the searched person is a condition precedent. Satisfaction must be recorded by the said assessing officer that any undisclosed income belongs to any person, other than the person searched. Thereafter the assessing officer of the third person can proceed against his assessee under Section 158BC. The documents, books of accounts or assets seized or requisitioned have to be handed over to the assessing officer of the third person. ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 27 of 47 13. Once, it is held that the recording of satisfaction as per the ratio laid down in Manish Maheshwari (supra) is a condition precedent, it is to be seen whether any such satisfaction of the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal is perceivable from the record. Learned counsel for the revenue has invited our attention to the order of assessment order of Manoj Aggarwal, the letter issued by the assessing officer dated 15.7.2003 and the note appended to the assessment order to build the edifice that the satisfaction was recorded and the tribunal has erroneously come to hold that there was no satisfaction. Learned counsel for the revenue has criticized the finding of the tribunal that the assessing officer had become functus officio after a particular stage. Mr. Salil Kapoor, learned counsel for the respondent fairly stated that this Court may not address the issue whether the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal had become functus officio or not and may only dwell upon the issue whether there is recording of satisfaction on the basis of the material brought on record. It is contended by him that note dated 29.8.2002 which is purported to have been written by the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal was not relied before the tribunal or by the CIT(A). Additional/new evidence cannot be produced before the High ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 28 of 47 ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 28 of 47 Court for the first time without any application under Order 41 Rule 27 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Further this note is an antedated one and such a finding has been recorded by the tribunal in SMC Share Brokers Ltd. v. Deputy Commissioner of Income Taxin ITA No.250/Del/2005, (2007) 109 TTJ (Del) 700. Learned counsel would contend that the said order passed by the tribunal was challenged before this Court, wherein the Division Bench had dismissed the appeal and the revenue had chosen not to challenge the finding recorded by the tribunal and, therefore, the said note cannot be placed reliance upon. This decision of the Division Bench is reported in Commissioner of Income Tax v. SMC Share Brokers Ltd.(2007) 288 ITR 345 (Del). 14. To appreciate the controversy, first we shall refer to the order of assessment framed against the Manoj Aggarwal, the person who has searched. Learned counsel for the revenue has drawn our attention to paragraph 2.7 to 2.10 from the order of block assessment order in case of Manoj Aggarwal which was framed on 29.8.2008. The said paragraphs read as under: ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 29 of 47 ―2.7 Apart from the admission of Sh. Manoj Aggarwal, the various documents seized during the course of search details of which are given below further established that he is a name lender involved in the business of giving accommodation entries. Sh.Manoj Aggarwal has accepted all these papers to be related to his business of accommodation book entries. 2.8 Annexures A-16, A-18 & A-36 seized from the premises at 5A/12, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Delhi are cashbooks of the business of accommodation entries. These give details of the cash received on the receipts side and the utilization thereof on the payments side. 2.9 Annexure A-19, A-20 & A-21 seized from the premises at 5A/12, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Delhi are ledger accounts of the mediators through whom the transactions of accommodation entries has been arranged. These ledgers give the details of the name of the mediator, the date on which the cheque is issued, the name of the beneficiary, the cheque no., the amount thereof and the bank and branch from which it is issued. 2.10 Various pages of Annexures A-1, A-8, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-15 & A-36 seized from the premises at 5A/12, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Delhi, various pages of Annexure A-1 seized from the residence of Sh. Manoj Aggarwal at C-25/2, East Baldev Park, Delhi, Annexure A-2 seized from the office of Sh.Manoj Aggarwal at 7/22, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, Delhi are reconciliation accounts of the various mediators. These accounts give the details of the cash received from the mediators and the details of the cheques issued to the various beneficiaries.‖ 15. On a perusal of the aforesaid, we do not perceive any satisfaction by ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 30 of 47 the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal that any undisclosed income belongs to the respondent assessee. The said satisfaction is not reflected or stated in the said paragraphs. 15. On a perusal of the aforesaid, we do not perceive any satisfaction by ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 30 of 47 the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal that any undisclosed income belongs to the respondent assessee. The said satisfaction is not reflected or stated in the said paragraphs. 16. Presently, we shall proceed to deal with the communication sent by the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal to the assessing officer of the –respondent assessee. The said letter is dated 15.7.2003. The said letter indicates that a communication was made by the assessing officer of Manoj Aggarwal to the assessing officer assessing the respondent-assessee to the effect that the assessee was acting as a mediator in the transactions involving substantial tax evasion by giving bogus accommodation entries to various persons. It is submitted by Mr.Kapoor, learned counsel for the assessee that the said letter does not remotely suggest any satisfaction. In fact the revenue has also not treated this letter as recording of satisfaction, but the letter is a mere communication. 17. The letter/communication dated 15.7.2003 by the assessing of Manoj Aggarwal to the assessing officer of the respondent assessee reads as follows: ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 31 of 47 ―1) Various diaries have been seized from the possession of Sh. Manoj Aggarwal which establish that Radhey Shyam Bansal is a mediator for providing accommodation book entries by Sh. Manoj Aggarwal. The quantum of transaction done by him as per these documents is given in Annexure-A. Photocopies of these paper are enclosed in Annexure-B. 2) There are evidences of cash having been received by Mr. Manoj Aggarwal from Radhey Shyam Bansal. The summary of the amounts so received as per various seized documents is given in Annexure-C. The photocopies of these documents are provided as per Annexure-D.‖ 18. Before we advert to and analyse whether the letter dated 15.7.2003 really conveys satisfaction as is understood in the anatomical base of the provision and also under the backdrop of terms satisfaction mean in law we think it appropriate to refer to Section 158BD of the Act. The said provision has already been reproduced in the decision in Manish Maheshwari (supra). 19. On a plain reading of the aforesaid provision, it is vivid that for the purpose of initiation of block assessment proceeding against a third person in respect of whom search has not been conducted certain conditions precedents are to be followed and they are mandatory. They have to be ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 32 of 47 construed and complied absolutely strictly. The first pre-condition as the provision envisages is that the assessing officer of the person searched has to be satisfied that some undisclosed income belongs to a third person. Thus, the relevant expressions pertaining to condition precedent are ―undisclosed income‖ and ―which belongs to a person other than the person searched‖. As in the case at hand, we are actually concerned with the satisfaction we think it appropriate to refer to the said terms, namely, ―undisclosed income‖ which have been defined in Section 158-B(b) which reads as follows: ―158-B. Definitions.—In this Chapter, unless the context —otherwise requires, ITA 582/2008 with connected matters Page 32 of 47 construed and complied absolutely strictly. The first pre-condition as the provision envisages is that the assessing officer of the person searched has to be satisfied that some undisclosed income belongs to a third person. Thus, the relevant expressions pertaining to condition precedent