JUDGEMENT
SATISH CHANDRA, J. -
(1.) FOR the asst. yr. 1964-65 the ITO detected certain entries of investment made by the partners in
the accounts books of the firm. The ITO added a sum of Rs. 56,000 as the firm's income form
undisclosed sources. This addition was confirmed in appeal. Subsequently, a penalty of Rs. 10,000
was imposed under s. 271(1)(c). This penalty was ultimately deleted by the Tribunal on the finding
that fraud is totally ruled out and so also there is nothing to show that the assessee was guilty of
gross or wilful neglect in not returning the correct income as assessed According to the Tribunal,
the assessee had successfully discharged the onus cast upon in view of the Explanation added to s.
271(1)(c) of the IT Act 1961.
(2.) AT the instance of the revenue, the Tribunal has referred the following question of law for our opinion :
"Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the penalty of rupees ten thousand (Rs. 10,000) only is correct or maintainable in law under the provisions of s. 271(1)(c) as well as under Explanation to s. 271(1)(c) ?"
Under the aforesaid Explanation the burden lies on the assessee to show that the failure to return the correct income did not arise from any fraud or any gross or wilful neglect on his part. At
the Tribunal has gone into the facts and has found that the assessee has successfully discharged
the onus cat upon it and there is nothing to show that this was a case of gross or wilful neglect of
not returning the correct income. The finding recorded by the Tribunal does not, in our view, suffer
from any error of law. We, Therefore, answer the question referred to us in the negative and in
favour of the assessee and against the Department.
(3.) THERE will be no order as to costs.;
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