IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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ITA 789/2010
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JANARDHAN VERMA ..... Appellant
Through: Mr. Bharat Beriwal, Advocate.
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versus
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ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OF INCOME TAX ..... Respondent
Through: Ms. Suruchii Aggarwal, Advocate.
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CORAM:
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN
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O R D E R
05.07.2010
CM 11422-11423/2010 (exemption)
Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
ITA 789/2010
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Present appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, has been
filed challenging the order dated 30th October, 2009 passed by the Income Tax
Appellate Tribunal (in short ?Tribunal) relating to block assessment period 01st
April, 1995 to 04th March, 2002.
ITA 789/2010 page
1 of 4.
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Briefly stated the facts of the present case are that on 04th March, 2002,
a search and seizure operation was conducted at the appellant and his son?s
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premises. Jewellery weighing 1737.5 gms valued at Rs.7,81,875/- was found during
the search and seizure operation.
Mr. Bharat Beriwal, learned counsel for appellant contended that the
Tribunal committed a grave error in reversing the findings of the Commissioner,
Income Tax without giving any reason especially
when the Tribunal had only considered 15 slips while 41 slips had been found and
serially numbered during the search and seizure operation.
The Tribunal in its impugned order has held that though the Commissioner
had not accepted the appellant?s additional evidence, yet it had accepted
appellant?s submission that 41 persons had pledged jewellery with the appellant.
The Tribunal has further found upon perusal of the evidence that no documentary
proof was found at the time of search to show pledging of jewellery by 41
persons. The Tribunal has further opined that the statement given by 4 persons
in favour of the appellant is not supported by any evidence. Moreover,
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ITA 789/2010 page
2 of 4.
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the affidavits of the persons who had supported the appellant?s version
were prepared in December, 2002 and March, 2004 and yet the same
had not been filed before the Assessing Officer.
The Tribunal has also held that the appellant?s contention that
some of the slips were not seized by the search party was not substantiated by
evidence.
Keeping in view the aforesaid order of the Tribunal, we are of the opinion
that the Tribunal has given cogent reasons for its conclusion and that the
appellant has, in the present proceedings essentially challenged findings of
fact. The Supreme Court and this Court have repeatedly held that a question of
fact becomes a question of law, if the finding is either without any evidence or
material, or if the finding is contrary to the evidence, or is perverse or there
is no direct nexus between conclusion of fact and the primary fact upon which
that conclusion is based. But, it is not possible to turn a mere question of
fact into question of law by seeking whether as a matter of law the authority
came to a correct conclusion upon a matter of fact. Consequently, no
substantial question of law arises in the present proceedings. Accordingly, the
present appeal and pending application
ITA 789/2010 page
3 of 4.
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being devoid of merits are dismissed but with no orders as to costs.
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MANMOHAN, J
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CHIEF JUSTICE
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JULY 05, 2010
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ITA 789/2010 page 4 of 4.
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1
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