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Judgment
Bhavnesh Saini, J
This appeal by Assessee has been directedagainst the Order of the Ld. CIT(A)-1, New Delhi, Dated11.06.2018, for the A.Y. 2014-2015, challenging the levy ofpenalty under section 271(1)(c) of the I.T. Act, 1961.
Learned Counsel for the Assessee, at the outset, submitted that A.O. before levy of penalty issued show cause notice dated 30.11.2016 under section 274 r.w.s. 271 of the I.T. Act, in which it is mentioned as under :
"have concealed the particulars of your income or furnished inaccurate particulars of such income in terms of explanation 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5."
2.1. The Learned Counsel for the Assessee further submitted that in the show cause notice the A.O. failed to specify in which limb of Section 271(1)(c) of the Act, the penalty proceedings had been initiated. He contended that similar issue has been decided by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT & Another vs. M/s. SSAs Emerald Meadows 73 taxmann.com 248 and pleaded that no penalty is leviable against the assessee.
Ld. D.R. however, relied upon the orders of the authorities below.
After considering the rival submissions, we are of the view that penalty is not leviable in the matter. The A.O. issued show cause notice dated 30.11.2016 before levy of the penalty against the assessee which is bad in law as it did not specify in which limb of Section 271(1)(c) of the Act, the penalty proceedings had been initiated i.e., whether for concealment of particulars of income or furnishing inaccurate particulars of income. The entire penalty proceedings are, therefore, vitiated and no penalty is leviable. On this score itself similar view is taken by Hon'ble Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT vs. M/s. SSAs Emerald Meadows 73 taxmann.com 241. This decision is confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court reported in 73 taxmann.com 248. In this view of the matter, the orders of the authorities below are set aside and penalty is cancelled.
In the result, appeal of Assessee allowed. Order pronounced in the open Court.