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2023 (12) TMI 987 - BOMBAY HIGH COURTReopening of assessment - Sales consideration shown double / twice in AIS - allegation of undisclosed source of purchase of property - As per AO the the assessee has purchased two properties and purchase consideration is more than sale consideration of property - Petitioner has been candid in admitting that though the residential flat sold during the year was a short term capital asset and petitioner was liable to pay tax thereon, petitioner did not pay any tax on short term capital gain because petitioner was advised that as the flat was a residential flat and in the same year petitioner had purchased another flat, no income was chargeable to tax - HELD THAT:- On the working of the short term capital gain for the flat sold, the Assessing Officer came to a finding that taxable capital gain was Rs. 13,64,000/-. But strangely in the impugned order dated 29th March 2023 issued under Section 148A(d) of the Act, the Assessing Officer proceeded further on the basis “as regards the two immovable properties purchased by the assessee, the assessee has submitted that, she has purchased only one property for the consideration of Rs. 35,00,000/-”. What we find difficult to digest is even in the notice issued u/s 148A(b) or the information annexed thereto, nowhere does it state petitioner has purchased two properties for Rs. 70 lakhs. Petitioner has provided documents to justify that petitioner has purchased only one property for Rs. 35 lakhs and also has explained the source of funding. If the Assessing Officer has to say that there are two properties purchased, either erroneously the figure of Rs. 35 lakhs is doubled and shown as Rs. 70 lakhs in the AIS, or the Assessing Officer should provide the details of the second property, which according to the Assessing Officer, petitioner has purchased but has failed to disclose resulting in an escapement of income. An assessee cannot prove negative. If the Assessing Officer has any positive information about the details of the second property allegedly purchased, the Assessing Officer was duty bound to apply his mind and confront petitioner with those documents. Simply relying on what the AIS states and passing an order is not something which this Court can accept. As we agreed to entertain this petition only in view of this undertaking given by Mr. Phadke that assessee will pay the capital gain payable and will not raise the issue of limitation under Section 149(1)(b) of the Act. The impugned order to the extent of Rs. 35 lakhs remaining as unexplained is hereby quashed and set aside. AO shall give effect to this order and provide computation of income to petitioner within four weeks of this order being uploaded and as per the undertaking given, petitioner shall pay the amount as computed within four weeks thereafter. Even if petitioner feels the computation is wrong, the amount will be paid and thereafter, petitioner may take such steps as advised in accordance with law to impugn the computation of income.
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