Pankaj Gupta vs Income Tax Officer, Ward-2(1)

PER VIKAS AWASTHY, JM:

This appeal by the assessee is directed against an ex-parte order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Appeal Centre, Delhi [in short ‘the CIT(A)’] dated 27.11.2025, for Assessment Year 2012-13.

A perusal of the assessment order reveals that the Assessing Officer (AO) has made assessment u/s.144 r.w.s. 147 of the Income Tax Act,1961(hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) as the assessee failed to furnish relevant documents to substantiate source of cash deposited in his Bank account. Thus, the AO made addition of Rs.12,78,000/- on account of undisclosed sources for making cash deposits in the bank. Against the said assessment order dated 06.12.2019, the assessee filed appeal before the CIT(A).

A perusal of the impugned order shows that despite repeated notices, the assessee remained non-responsive. The assessee, appearing in person explained the reason for non-appearance before the CIT(A) as, at the relevant time his father was suffering from cancer and was critically ill. He was attending to his father, therefore, could not effectively pursue appeal before the First Appellate Authority. The assessee assured that if an opportunity is granted, he would furnish relevant documents to substantiate the source of cash deposits in the bank.

Considering entire facts of the case, I deem it appropriate to restore this appeal back to the AO for denovo assessment, in accordance with law. The AO shall grant reasonable opportunity of making submissions to the assessee and shall consider the documents furnish by the assessee before completing assessment denovo.

In the result, impugned order is set aside and appeal of the assessee is allowed for statistical purpose.

Order pronounced in the open court on Tuesday the 17^th day of February, 2026.