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2021 (2) TMI 737 - AT - Income TaxUnexplained cash credit u/s 68 - cash deposited during the demonetization period - AO acknowledges that the assessee has filed audited accounts and produced copy of the ledger of the sales and purchases along with copy of the books related to the purchase and sales made by the assessee without supporting bills and invoices - HELD THAT:- As brought to notice by the Ld. A.R that assessee is into dry fish business and his accounts are audited for the last seven (7) years. - the profit embedded in sales amunt has been accepted by the AO, so, question is whether separate addition is justified and whether this action of AO amounts to double addition of the same trading receipt. No doubt in such a factual scenario, it amounts to double addition. When the justifiability of separate addition is to be examined, it should be borne in mind that the AO is making a ‘guess’ about the source of demonetized currency. And the assessee is assailing the ‘guess work’ with an explanation which should be tested; and if the explanation given by the assessee is a plausible/probable from a traders/business man’s/prudent man’s angle/view, then that cannot be brushed aside by the AO, without disproving the explanation / facts or by giving cogent reasons. Statement of bank accounts of assessee (3 bank accounts) it is noted that assessee has deposited in his three bank account (pre-demonetization) an amount to the tune of ₹ 2,38,94,037/- and during (Post-demonetization period) the assessee had deposited to the tune of ₹ 2,38,94,037/- and it is found that the total bank deposit tallys with the figure shown in trading account i.e., ₹ 4,76,78,990/- (₹ 4.76 crores). So taking into account all these facts and circumstances and demonetization being declared on the night of 8/9th November, 2016, it is noted that AO has accepted the invalid currencies to the tune of ₹ 11,08,796/- because it was shown by the assessee in his regular books maintained as on 08.11.2016. The assessee’s explanation in respect of ₹ 12,41,704/- is that it is the amount which has been deposited by the sundry debtors as on 08.11.2016 which is found to be correct for the reason that the sundry debtors as on 08.11.2016 was to the tune of ₹ 14,93,120/- as is evident from the list of sundry debtors . So on the same reasoning as adopted by the AO to have accepted ₹ 11,08,796/- (invalid currency notes) as genuine (trade receipt), I find no reason not to accept the explanation of assessee that ₹ 12,41,704/- was deposited by the sundry debtors reflected in the books as on 08.11.2016. And since the AO has accepted the sales/turnover of the assessee which were reflected in the audited books of accounts, as well as the explanation of assessee is supported by material on record, the AO/Ld. CIT(A)’s action of addition of ₹ 12,41,704/- cannot be countenanced. So on this factual finding the assessee’s explanation regarding ₹ 12,41,704/- is plausible. And it is noted that the AO / Ld. CIT(A) / Ld. D.R could not disprove or controvert this fact and so it is accepted. In the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the assessee depositing invalid notes to the tune of ₹ 12,41,704/- cannot be dis-believed as from any tainted source or termed as black money. So taking into consideration the peculiar over all facts and circumstances discussed supra, it is directed that the addition of ₹ 12,41,704/- be deleted - Appeal of the assessee is allowed.
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