IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
ALLAHABAD BENCH, ALLAHABAD
(THROUGH VIRTUAL COURT),
BEFORE SHRI.VIJAY PAL RAO, JUDICIAL MEMBER
AND
SHRI. RAMIT KOCHAR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
ITA No.73/ALLD/2019
Assessment Years: 2007-08
Jeevan Jyoti Charitable Trust,
162, Bai Ka Bagh, Allahabad, U.P.
TAN/PAN: AAATJ4359H
v. Pr. Commissioner of Income
Tax, Central, Lucknow
(Appellant) (Respondent)
Appellant by: Mr. Gaurav Bansal, C.A.
Respondent by: Ms. Nidhi Verma Singh, CIT DR
Date of hearing: 15.09.2021
Date of pronouncement: .10.2021
O R D E R
VIJAY PAL RAO, JM:
This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order dated 29
th
March, 2019
passed by the Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow) under section 12AA(3) and Section 80G(5) of
the Income Tax Act. Though the assessee filed total thirteen appeals against the single
impugned order passed by the Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow) however, at the time of
hearing, the twelve appeals in ITA Nos. 74 to 85/Alld/2019 were de-clubbed and
tagged separately as those appeals were found not maintainable being repeated and
nonest appeals and dismissed by this Tribunal vide separate order dated 16.09.2021.
Accordingly the appeal in ITA No. 73/Alld/2019 is taken as an appeal against the
impugned order and is being disposed of by this order.
2. The brief facts leading to the controversy emanate from the record are that the
assessee trust was formed vide trust deed dated 01
st
April, 1990 with the main object
to provide education and set up research centers in the field of medical science. The
assessee trust was granted registration under section 12A on 29.01.1999 and was also
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granted approval under section 80G(5) on 13.10.2009. Thereafter a search and seizure
action under section 132 of the Act was carried out in respect of Jeevan Jyoti Group
and assessee trust was also claimed to have been covered under the said search and
seizure action. Pursuant to the search and seizure action under section 132 of the Act,
the Assessing Officer issued notice under section 153A for the assessment years 2007-
08 to 2013-14. In response to the notices issued under section 153A, the assessee filed
return of income. Thereafter, the assessee also filed an application under section
245(C) of the Act before Income Tax Settlement Commission (in short ‘ITSC’) on 24
th
February, 2015 disclosing income of Rs. 65,00,000/- on account of anonymous
donations and invested in the building and offered the same to tax under section
115BBC. The application filed by the assessee under section 245C was rejected by the
ITSC and consequently the assessments were completed under section 143(3) read
with section 153A on 8.8.2017. Though the assessee has challenged the validity of the
assessments and additions made by the Assessing Officer in the separate proceedings
however, the same is not a subject matter of the present appeal or having any
relevance to the present appeal filed against the order passed under section 12AA(3)
and section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Thereafter, the Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow)
issued show cause notice dated 13
th
/18
th
July, 2017 and asked the assessee to show
cause as to why the registration granted under section 12A may not be cancelled.
Another show cause notice dated 20.12.2018 was also issued by the Pr. CIT. The
assessee replied both the show cause notices issued by the Pr. CIT. After considering
the reply of the assessee as well as the subsequent submissions the Pr. CIT found that
the assessee’s activities were not genuine and they were not carried out as per the
objects of the trust but the assessee trust was in the receipt of the cash which was not
recorded in the books of accounts and the activities of the trust were carried out for
the personal benefits of the trustees and their family members as well as related
entities. Finally, the Pr. CIT noted that as per the latest information, the assessee
already sold all the educational institutions in the month of September, 2017 and the
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sale proceeds were utilized for repayment of outstanding bank loans of group
concerns of the trustees and not utilized for the object of the trust. Hence, it was
observed by the Pr. CIT that the activities of the trust were not being genuinely carried
as per the objects of the trust besides violating conditions of section 11(3) of the
Income Tax Act. Accordingly, the Pr. CIT vide impugned order has cancelled the
registration granted 12A w.e.f. 01.04.2006 as well as approval under section 80G(5)
of the Act w.e.f. 13.10.2009.
3. Aggrieved by the impugned order of the Pr. CIT passed under section 12AA(3)
and 80G(5), the assessee has filed the present appeal and raised the following grounds:
1. Proceedings for cancellation of registration under Section 12AA(3) got
concluded with the submissions made by the appellant on 01.08.2017 (in
compliance with the notice dated 13.07.2017 issued by predecessor ‘ Pr CIT’ ,
and re-initiation of the same by the successor “ Pr. CIT” by virtue of 2
nd
notice
dated 20.12.2018 (and that too on the ground that were similar to the issues
raised in 1
st
show cause notice dated 123.07.2019)are wholly vitiated;
2. Order dated 29.03.2019 passed by the Pr. CIT, cancelling the registration
granted to the appellant earlier under section1 2 A and withdrawal of
notification (approving donations for exemption under section 80G (5) in the
hands of the donors) based on the assumption that appellant had been a
person subjected to search and seizure action’ within the meaning of section
132(1) of the Act, is wholly misplaced as is evident from the particulars of
Panchnamas and other relevant information given in Annexure – I hereto;
3. The appellant had maintained ‘books of account as defined in section 2 (12A)
of the Act, as had been brought on the statute books by the Finance Act 2001,
w.e.f. 1.6.2001, and utilization as had been found to be recorded there, for
construction of school building and improvement of infrastructure incidental
thereto, meant solely ‘education purposes’ and, view to the contrary as has
been taken by the “Pr. CIT is wholly erroneous, uncalled for ad unjustified;
4. The “Pr. CIT” has erred in law and on facts in passing the impugned order
dated 29.03.2019, on the allegations to the following effect, that
a. The appellant was in receipt of unaccounted/unrecorded
donations as admitted by it in its application filed before
the Hon’ble income Tax Settlement Commission under
section 245C;
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b. Owning to non-availability/non-maintenance of details of
donors/donations, the receipts shown under the head
‘donation’ were unproved’
C. Such unaccounted/unproved receipts, amounted to
profiteering, resulting into diversion of funds for the benefit
of Trustees;
d. The extent of application for ‘charitable purposes’ and also
the ceiling of accumulation of less than 15% of such receipts
that are exempt from taxation, could not be subjected to
verification, owning to non-availability of relevant details;
and
e. In case the provisions are interpreted to mean that the
same were applicable with retrospective effect (as per
inference said to have been drawn by the appellant in the
impugned order), it would means undue advantage to the
appellant, which is not intended by law):
5. The “Pr. CIT” has erred in law and on facts in holding that decision of the Frist
Appellate Authority on the issue of exemption, was conclusive and on that
basis, in holding that activities of the Trust were not being carried on, for the
purposes of education and attainment of its objects;
6. The appellant had been imparting education and it existed solely ‘for the
purposes of education’ as envisaged in section 2(15) of the Act, and view to
the contrary 9as has been taken by the “Pr. CIT) is wholly unfounded and
inconsistent with the facts of the case;
7. In any case, the order dated 29.3.2019 having been passed by the Pr. CIT, in
gross violation of the principles of natural justice, owning to the reason that
notice dated 12.03.2019 (issued from F. No. Pr. CIT© LKo./12AA-Jeevan Jyoti
Trust/20178-18/1955) fixing the date of hearing as 19.03.2019 had been
served on the appellant on 20.03.2019 i. e. after the expiry of the date fixed
for compliance, the appellant could not get a due and effective opportunity
of being heard;
8. The order appealed against is contrary to the facts, law and principles of
natural justice.
9. The order is contested in appeal on every cogent grounds and the appellant
craves for the indulgence of the Hon’ble ITAT, to allow it (the appellant) to
take such additional grounds and/or to delete the grounds as had been taken
hereinbefore.”
4. The ground no. 1 is regarding validity of the impugned order passed by the Pr.
CIT due to two show cause notices were issued. The learned AR of the assessee has
submitted that the Pr. CIT issued two show cause notices dated 13.07.2017 and
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20.12.2018. The assessee has duly replied the first show cause notice dated
13.07.2017 vide letter dated 01.08.2017 and thereafter no action was taken for
cancellation of registration on the basis of the first show cause notice dated
13.07.2017. He has thus pleaded that it is deemed to be withdrawn. The subsequent
show cause notice dated 20.12.2018 for the cancellation of registration is not valid
when the first show cause notice issued on the same grounds deemed to have been
withdrawn. Therefore, the impugned order passed by the Pr. CIT is not valid as there
was no valid show cause notice.
5. On the other hand, learned DR has submitted that the first show cause notice
was issued on 13
th
July, 2017 and thereafter there was a change of the incumbent at
the post of Pr. CIT which necessitated the second show cause notice granting
opportunity to the assessee. The learned CIT DR has pointed out that this issue was
also raised by the assessee during the proceedings under section 12AA(3) and the Pr.
CIT has decided the same. She has relied upon the impugned order of the Pr. CIT.
6. We have considered the relevant submissions as well as relevant material on
record. There is no dispute that after the search and seizure action under section 132
of the Income Tax Act. The Assessing Officer initiated the proceedings under section
153A of the Income Tax Act pursuant to the search and seizure action initiated. During
the pendency of the assessment proceedings under section 153A, the assessee
approached to the ITSC by filing an application under section 245C on 24
th
February,
2015 which was rejected by the ITSC and remanded the matter to the Assessing Officer
for completion of the assessments. The facts as revealed during the course of search
and seizure action as well as the disclosure made by the assessee in the application
under section 245C led to initiation of proceedings by the Pr. CIT for cancellation of
registration granted under section 12A of the Act. It is manifest from record that there
was a change of incumbent at the post of Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow), and a second show
cause notice was also issued on 20.12.2018. When there is no substantial change in
the contents of the show cause notices then the second show cause notice issued on
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20.12.2018 is at the most amounts to fresh initiation of proceedings under section
12AA(3) for cancellation registration granted under section 12A as well as approval
under section 80G(5) of the Income Tax Act. It is evident from the record and
particularly from the impugned order passed under section 12AA(3) of the Income
Tax Act that the Pr. CIT has proceeded on the basis of the show cause notice dated
20.12.2018 which has been reproduced in the impugned order in para 3.1.
7. Though the Pr. CIT has given background facts including the first show cause
notice dated 13.07.2017 and reply thereto by the assessee however, the impugned
order is passed based on the show cause notice dated 20.12.2018. Therefore, the
issuance of the second show cause notice would not vitiate the proceedings under
section 12AA(3) or the impugned order. The Pr. CIT has dealt with this issue in para 5
of the impugned order as under:-
“5. In the reply the assessee trust, instead of replying as how the assessee
trusts fulfills for registration u/s 12A, has been more harping on irrelevant issues
by picking some lines here and there out of context or raising the technical issues
of validity of search or assessments u/s 153A in case of trust or restrictions for use
of material facts admitted by applicant before ITSC or that in view of earlier reply
given on 1.8.2017, there was no scope of issue of fresh show cause notice u/s
12AA93), etc. as regards the contention that the earlier show cause notice dated
18/7/2017 was earlier concluded in view of show cause on 20/12/2018, the same
is totally incorrect. The reply dated 1/8/2017 was submitted but thereafter no
order whatsoever was passed by the then incumbent, who got transferred on
25/8/2017, since there was a change in incumbent, it was necessary to issue the
fresh show cause notice granting opportunity to the assessee. This fact was duly
communicated to assessee also on 29/1/2019. Hence the presumption that the
next show cause notice was beyond the scope, is fallacious. The facts which are
being used to decide the validity of registration u/s 12A are only the undisputed
facts admitted by assessee trust in its own application before the ITSC filed after
the notices issued u/s 153A in case of trust. Without prejudice, the assessee had
gone upto High court challenging the validity of notices u/s 153A but failed to
succeed. The issue of limitation of assessment u/s 153A cannot have any
implication on deciding the question whether the trust was carrying its activities
as per the object for which it was granted the registration. The CIT(A), it filed an
appeal to ITAT. The ITAT has now set aside the matter to CIT(A)for passing fresh
orders. The very fact that the assessee carried the matter to ITAT which has not
yet held the orders to be null void as claimed by assessee, there is no merit in these
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issues raised now at least on validity of search assessment u/s 153A, more so when
these are not at all relevant for the purposes of these proceedings u/s 12AA which
are independent. As regards the contention that in view of challenge on validity
of 153A proceedings, no view can be taken for 12AA registration, the same is
unacceptable. The outcome of challenge to proceedings u/s153A are completed
now and pending before CIT(A), has in no way any implication on the issue of
eligibility of registration u/s 12AA because even if it were held (without admitting
it) that the AO were not to make assessment u/s 153A, the material collected
during search or otherwise could be still used for any other proceedings under the
Act and it will not dispute the test which are required to decide whether the trust
is eligible for registration u/s 12AA in view of the facts evidencing receipt of
unaccounted money by the trust. It is well settled principle that even where the
search is quashed, there is no bar in using the material gathered in search for
purposes of any other proceedings under the Act. This view supported by decision
of apex court in Dr. Pratap Singh and Anr. Vs. Enforcement and ors (1985)
155 ITR 166 (SC). [Emphasis supplied by us]
8. Accordingly, in view of the facts and circumstances of the case, we do not find
any substance or merits in the ground no. 1 of the assessee’s appeal, the same is
dismissed.
9. Ground no. 2 is regarding challenging the impugned order as on the ground that
the assessee was not subjected to search and seizure action within the meaning of
section 132(1) of the Act.
10. We have heard the learned AR as well as learned DR and considered the
relevant material on record. The validity of the search is not an issue to be considered
and decided in the present appeal filed against the order under section 12AA(3) of the
Act. The assessee has already approached the Hon'ble High Court against the notices
issued under section 153A but could not succeed. Further the matter was carried to
this Tribunal against the assessment orders passed under section 153A which were
set aside to the record of the CIT(A) for passing the fresh order. Therefore, the
objections of the assessee against the validity of the proceedings initiated under
section 153A is irrelevant so far as the order passed under section 12AA(3) and
80G(5) is concerned. The Pr. CIT has referred and considered the facts and material
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detected as a result of search and seizure action under section 132(1) of the Income
Tax Act and consequent application of the assessee filed under section 145C before
the ITSC. The evidentiary value of the material found during the search and seizure
action revealing unaccounted money received by the assessee trust cannot be affected
by the reason of the search and seizure action challenged by the assessee. Further
certain material and facts as considered by the Pr. CIT while passing the impugned
order are otherwise admitted by the assessee in the application filed under section
245C as well as the same are the part of the books of accounts of the assessee so far as
the violation of the provisions of section 13(3) of the Income Tax Act. Accordingly, we
do not find any merit or substance in the ground no. 2 of the assessee’s appeal.
11. The ground nos. 3 to 9 are regarding challenging the impugned order on the
merits and particularly on the issue that the points raised by the Pr. CIT would not
amount to the activity of the assessee trust are not genuine or are not carried out in
accordance with objects of the trust. The learned AR has submitted that the Pr. CIT has
raised various issues including more than one PAN number issued in the name of
Jeevan Jyoti Charitable Trust whereas the assessee trust was filing its return of income
under one PAN only till date. Even for the assessment year 20018-19 the assessee trust
filed the return of income showing the capital gain on sale of property (School). The
another PAN was allotted on 26.11.2017 for the society registered on 21
st
June, 2001
under the Societies Act 1816. He has referred to the separate PAN numbers for the
assessee’s trust and the other institution which is a society registered under the
Societies Act. Therefore, the learned AR has submitted that the Pr. CIT has assumed
that the assessee trust has got two PAN numbers whereas the other PAN were allotted
to the different entity / institution and not to the assessee charitable trust which is
formed on 1
st
April, 1990. Therefore, the impugned order is passed based on
assumption of incorrect facts. He has further submitted that the another major ground
for cancellation of the registration is regarding an amount of Rs. 65 Lac received as
donation from various persons which was offered to tax in the application under
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section 145C of the Income Tax Act. Though the said amount was offered to tax under
section 15BBC of the Act however, it would only lead to the consequences of denial of
exemption under section 11 and 12 of the Act to the extent of the said amount. The
learned AR has further submitted that though the amount was not found recorded in
the books but the same was utilized for the charitable purpose only in construction of
building. Therefore, the said transaction of receipt of donation of Rs. 65 Lac would not
amount to render the activity of the assessee not genuine or not being carried out in
accordance with the objects of the trust. As regards, the allegation of granting benefit
or working for the benefit of the trustees of the assessee trust namely Dr. Ashwani
Kumar Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal as well as their family members, the said
observation of the Pr. CIT is not based on correct facts. He has submitted that certain
transactions of payments to the companies owned by the trustees of the assessee on
duly recorded in the books of accounts however, these transactions are only
repayment of the amounts received by the assessee trust and therefore it is not the
transaction for giving the benefit or advances to the concerns of the trustees of the
assessee but it is only the repayment of the money received from these entities. He has
referred to balance-sheet as on 31
st
March, 2013 and submitted that though as per
Schedule 9, the assessee has given loans and advances to the two trustees total
amounting to Rs. 1,35,74,709/- however, at the same time, the assessee trust has also
taken loan and advances from the same group and having closing balance from Jyoti
Medi Services Ltd., Navjeevan Pediatric & Vandana Women Hospital total amounting
to Rs. 1,43,62,411/-. Therefore, the amount of loan and advances received by the
assessee from the group entities is more than the amount paid by the assessee. He has
then referred to the certain amounts paid by the Jyoti Hospital Nursing School to Jyoti
Hospital Pvt. Ltd to the tune of Rs. 33,26,382/- during the financial year 2010-11 and
submitted that the Pr. CIT took this as amount paid by the assessee trust to the
companies owned by the trustees of the assessee whereas this amount is not the loan
and advance given to the company but it is only a repayment of the earlier advance
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10
received from this company. He has thus submitted that there is no benefit granted to
either the trustee or the entities owned by the trustees. The trustees had neither
derived any benefit from the activities of the trust nor has it been so found or
established from the seized material. All the activities of the assessee trust were
directed for imparting education and no benefit whatsoever has been derived either
directly or indirectly by persons covered under section 13(3) of the Act. Further from
the activities of the assessee’s trust, it is clear that the assessee was not involved in any
business activity with profit motive or for the benefit of the trustees or their family
members. The incidence as pointed out by the learned Pr. CIT are not based on the
correct and complete facts. He has further submitted that the sale proceeds of the
property sold by the assessee in September, 2017 was utilized for repayment of loan
and therefore, it cannot be said that this amount was not utilized for the purpose of
the Trust. He has relied upon the judgment of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of
the DIT(Exemption) vs. Span Foundation 178 taxman 436. He has also relied upon the
following judgments:-
1. C.I.T. v. Janmabhumi Press Trust (2000) 242 ITR 457&703 (Karnataka) – page No.
157 to 158 of the Case Laws PB.
2. C.I.T. v. Kannaika Paramesari Devasthanam & Charities (1982) 133 ITR 779
(Madras)
3. C.I.T. v. St. George Forana Church (1988) 170 ITR 62 (Ker.)
12. Therefore, repayment of loan originally taken by the trust to fulfil its object will
amount to an application of income for charitable and religious purpose within the
meaning of section 11(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act. The learned AR has further
contended that the Pr. CIT has referred and relied upon the newly introduced section
115 TD w.e.f. 1.6.2016 for the purpose of taxing the accredited income due to
conversion into for not eligible for registration under section 12AA from the date on
which the registration was granted till the date of cancellation of registration. He has
submitted that the said section is introduced for the purpose of levy of exit tax where
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the charitable institution ceases to exist or convert into non charitable organization
whereas in the case of the assessee there is no such conversion or cessation of trust.
The trust is still in existence. Hence this section is not applicable in the case of the
assessee. The learned AR has also raised an issue that the Pr. CIT has cancelled the
registration with retrospective effect from 1.4.2006 which is not valid in view of the
various binding precedents on this issue. He has relied upon the following decisions
as under:-
1. ACIT Vs. Agra Development Authority (2018) 90 taxman.com 282
(Allahabad)/[2018]407 ITR 562.
2. Indian Medical Trust Vs. Pr. CIT, Jaipur (2019) 108 taxman.com 93 (Rajasthan) 414
ITR 296.
3. Oxford Academy for Career Development Vs. CCIT [2019] 315 ITR 382 (Allahabad).
13. On the other hand, the learned CIT DR has submitted that the assessee itself has
admitted the receipt of unexplained donations not recorded in the books of accounts
which is an activity not for achieving the objects of the assessee trust rather for the
benefits of the trustees of the assessee. The unaccounted and anonymous donations
surrendered by the assessee in the application under section 145C before the ITSC and
offer to tax under section 115BBC itself established the fact that the activity of the
assessee are not genuine and are not being carried out in accordance with the objects
of the assessee. Rather the assessee was involved in receiving unaccounted donations
and siphoning of the fund for the benefits of the trustees. In the year 2017, the assessee
has already sold all educational institutions run by it. Therefore, the charitable
activities seized to exist and consequently the registration of the assessee is liable to
be cancelled. The learned CIT DR has further contended that the number of charity has
given a well-reasoned and elaborate decision and finding in the impugned order
considering all the relevant facts which established that the assessee’s activities were
not genuine and were also not carried out in accordance with the objects of the
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assessee but these activities were carried out by the assessee only for the benefit of
the trustees. There are multiple transactions of the giving loan and advances directly
and indirectly to the trustees of the assessee which itself shows that even on the
record, the assessee is passing the benefit to the trustees. This fact was detected only
as a result of search and seizure action that the assessee use to receive unaccounted
donations which means the amounts received by the assessee not recorded in the
books of accounts were taken away by the trustees of the assessee. All these facts lead
to the conclusion that the activities of the assessee were not carried out in accordance
with the objects but for the benefit of the trustees and their family members as well as
the institution owned by the trustees. She has relied upon the impugned order of the
Pr. CIT.
14. We have considered the rival submissions as well as the relevant material on
record. Two issues arise in ground nos. 3 to 9 of the appeals. First issue is whether the
conditions as prescribed under sub section 3 of section 12AA did exist to satisfy the
Pr. CIT to pass the impugned order cancelling the registration of the assessee trust.
The second issue arises is whether the cancellation of registration shall be applicable
retrospective or prospective. As regards the conditions as prescribed under sub
section 3 of section 12AA of the Act, the Pr. CIT has cited number of transactions and
activities of the assessee which he considered as not being carried out in accordance
with the objects of the assessee trust but in his view the activities of the assessees are
being carried out for the benefit of the specified persons as given in section 13(3) and
specifically the trustees of the assessee trust as well as the concerns in which the
trustees are having substantial interest. Basically these two grounds are referred by
the Pr. CIT for cancellation. The Pr. Commissioner has also cited the reason for
cancellation as the assessee trust has sold all its educational institutions and
consequently the activities of the assessee trust cease to exist. The Pr. CIT has held that
the assessee admitted in the application filed before ITSC that voluntary donation
received from public have not been accounted for in the books of accounts of the trust.
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Therefore, the surrender of this amount of Rs. 65 Lac and offered to tax under section
115BBC led the Pr. CIT to reach the conclusion of Pr. CIT that the assessee trust has
earned unaccounted receipts, profiteering and allowing the income of the trust for
personal uses of the trustees. It is pertinent to note that so long the trust was running
the educational institutions and imparting education through the various institutions
the main activity of the assessee trust remains charitable in nature though there are
certain violations on account of unanimous unaccounted donations received by the
assessee which were surrendered before the Income Tax Settlement Commission and
offered to tax under section 115BBC. Therefore, this is purely a matter of assessment
and does not fall in the ambit of the activities of the assessee not being carried out in
accordance with the objects of the assessees trust or the activities of the assessee trust
are not genuine. This is only one incident and not a regular practice as the Pr. CIT has
referred only the admission of the assessee in the application under section 145C
before the Income Tax Settlement Commission. The case of the assessee trust would
have been different if this was a regular practice of receiving unaccounted unanimous
donations and siphoning of the same by the trustees. Therefore, this transaction itself
cannot lead to the conclusion that the activities of the assessee trust are not genuine
or are not being carried out in accordance with the objections of the trust so long the
assessee was running various institutions and imparting the education.
15. The second ground for cancellation of the registration is cited by the Pr. CIT as
giving advance or transfer of fund by the assessee trust to the trustees namely Dr. A.K
Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. The assessee has not
disputed the transactions of advance to Dr. A.K. Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal as
these amounts of Rs. 13,20,26,382/- were transferred by the assessee trust to Jyoti
Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Similarly a sum of Rs. 1,35,74,790/- were also treated the benefit
given to the trustees through the concerns in which they have substantial interest. The
assessee has not disputed these transactions of transfer of funds or advance given to
the trustees however the explanation of the assessee is that the assessee trust has
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received loans and advances from those concerns which is more than the repayment
amount as cited by the Pr. CIT. We find that there are loan and advances received by
the assessee trust from the group concerns in which the trustees of the assessee trust
are having substantial interest and the details of the amount of loans and advances
received by the trust as per the balance-sheet as on 31
st
March, 2013 as under:-
Jyoti Mediservices Limited Rs. 82,30,350/-
Navjeevan Pediatrics Pvt Ltd Rs. 49,42,061/-
Vandana Women Hospital Rs. 11,90,000/-
Total Rs. 1,43,62,411/-
16. Thus it is a matter of record that the assessee trust received loan and advance
from the group concerns total amounting to Rs. 1,43,62,411/- which were
subsequently repaid by the assessee to the tune of Rs. 1,35,74,709/-. Therefore, the
payment made by the assessee to that extent is nothing but repayment of earlier loan
and advances and this would not even amount to violation of provisions of section
11(5) or 13 of the Income Tax Act. Therefore, these transactions cannot be regarded
as the activities of the assessee are only for the benefit of the trustees of the assessee
trust. The Pr. CIT then referred to the fact that the assessee sold the Jeevan Jyoti Public
School and Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School in the month of September, 2017 and the sale
proceedings were utilized for repayment of outstanding bank loans of the group
concerns in which the trustees are having substantial interest and consequently it
violates the conditions of section 11(3). Though the assessee has contended that
repayment of the loan utilized for the construction of the building of these educational
institutions is nothing but application of the income / fund for charitable purpose
however, even if the assessee has violated the provisions of section 11(3) the
consequences of the same would be that the said amount would not be eligible for
exemption under section 11 and 12 of the Income Tax Act and will be assessed to tax.
Therefore, this is again a subject matter of assessment and cannot be regarded as the
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activities of the assessee are not genuine or are not being carried out in accordance
with the objections of the assessee trust. Therefore, to the extent of these transactions
and incidents as discussed above, we do not find that any of these transactions would
fall in the ambit of section 12AA(3) of the Income Tax Act so as to invite the
cancellation of registration. However, when the assessee has sold all its educational
institutions in the year 2017 itself then it would amount to cessation of the charitable
activities of the assesse trust and therefore, the assessee trust would no longer be
entitled for the benefit of section 11 and 12 of the Income Tax Act. Once the charitable
activity of the assessee are ceased to exist, the same would fall in the category that the
activities are not being carried out in accordance with the objects of the trust. Hence
the undisputed fact of sale of all the educational institutions by the assessee trust
would definitely lead to disentitlement of benefit under section 11 and 12 of the Act
and consequently cancellation of registration granted under section 12A of the Income
Tax Act. The Pr. CIT has also cited the fact that multiple PANs were taken in the same
name as of the assessee trust however, the fact is not disputed that the assessee trust
right from the beginning is filing its return of income under one PAN. Though the other
PANs were taken in the same name but nothing has been alleged that assessee has
misused the other PANs allotted to the assessee. Therefore, if there is a violation of the
provisions of the law by taking multiple PANs, the consequences of such violation are
provided under the Act itself but so long there is no misuse of those PANs it cannot be
presumed that the activities of the assessee are not genuine. In view of the above facts
and circumstances of the case, we uphold the cancellation of the registration as well
as granted under section 12A as well as approval granted under section 80G(5).
17. As regards the second issue whether the cancellation shall have with
retrospective effect w.e.f. 1.4.2006 as held by the Pr. CIT or would be retrospective.
The assessee has relied upon the various decisions which are relevant on this point.
The Hon'ble jurisdiction High Court in the case of ACIT vs. Agra Development
Authority (supra) has held in para 50 to 52 as under:-
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“50. Then, there is nothing in the language of Section 12AA(3) of the Act
that may suggest registration of the assessee may be cancelled with
retrospective effect. The use of the words or have obtained registration at
any time under Section 12-a of the Act’ added by amendment w.e.f.
01.06.2010 only indicate that the Commissioner was vested with the power
to cancel a registration that may have been granted to an assessee at any
time prior to the aforesaid amendment itself. However, it does not indicate
that thereby the Commission had been empowered to cancel the
registration of the assessee with retrospective effect i.e. with effect from a
date prior to the date of issuance of the order/notice to cancel the
registration.
51. Clearly, the act of cancellation of registration has serious civil
consequences. In absence of any legislative intent expressed to suggest that
the legislature had empowered the Commissioner to cancel the assessee’s
registration under Section 12-A of the Act with retrospective effect, such
power could not be deemed to exist or arise or be exercised to unsettle
closed/part transactions especially because in this case the ground for
cancellation has not arising out of allegation of fraud, collusion or
misrepresentation.
52. Therefore, we are of the view that the cancellation of the assessee’s
registration under Section 12-a of the Act, if at all, could be done only
prospectively and not retrospectively as had been done by the
Commissioner in this case. Thus, question no.1 is answered in the negative
that is in favour of the assessee and against the revenue.”
18. The Hon'ble High Court has held that the cancellation of the registration could
be done only prospectively and not retrospectively. A similar view has been taken by
the Hon'ble Rajasthan High Court in the case of Indian Medical Trust vs. Pr. CIT (supra)
in para 28 and 29 as under:-
“28. Indisputably, the order dated 16th Jan, 2018, made by the
Commissioner of Income Tax thereby canceling the registration
granted under Section 12A and withdrawing the approval given
under Section 10(23C) (v) & 10(23A) (via) of the Act of 1961, to the
petitioner Trust with retrospective effect from the date of 01st April,
2006, was arbitrary in the face of the provisions of the Act of 1961:
and therefore, cannot be deemed to the in consonance with any
possible interpretation to be valid or legal. This court is of the opinion
that the provisions of section 12AA (3) of the Act of 1961, empowers
the Commissioner of Income Tax to initiate steps for giving the said
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provision, a retrospective effect, for in such a situation, the same
would have been clearly specified in the said provision Interpretation
of the said provision has to be harmonious rather than being
prejudicial to the institutions as it would instigate and create a fear
of the income Tax Department. I find support in my opinion from the
following cases with reference to the issue of cancellation or withdrawal of
registration with retrospective effect:
A. In the case of Oxford Academy for Career Development (supra), it
was thus observed that:
16.In the instant case, the petitioner is a registered society, which was
earlier granted registration under Section 12A on 1-4-1999. A survey was
conducted at the business premises on 20-09-2002, from where documents
were impounded. The registration was cancelled from the assessment years
2000-01 and 2001-02 for the reasons that the surplus was quite heavy. In
the impugned order, it was mentioned by the CIT that there was an unusual
huge margin and the petitioner was engaged in the commercial activities
rather than charitable. As per the balance-sheet, huge amount from the
student was charged. The profit margin embodied in the charges taken
from the students are so huge and it proves the profit motive of the
petitioner. The funds were misused by the president and his family members
of the petitioner.
20. The expression “charitable purposes” is defined in Section 2(15) of the
IT Act, 1961. It is of the inclusive nature as revealed in the language. Earlier
the words “the advancement of any other object of general public utility” in
this definition were succeeded by the words “not involving the carrying on
of any activity for profit”. These words were omitted by the Finance Act,
1983, w.e.f. 1st April, 1984
26. In the light of the above discussion and by considering the totally of the
facts and circumstances of the case, we hold that the order dt. 9th march,
2004, passed by the CIT (Annexure No. 15 to the writ petition) as per the
then law is without power and jurisdiction and therefore, it is liable to be
set quashed.
27. Accordingly, the impugned order dt. 9th march, 2004, passed by the
opposite party No. 2 withdrawing/rescinding the order granting
registration on 1St April, 1999, to the petitioner’s society under Section 12A
of the Act, is quashed. Consequently, the registration granted to the
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petitioner’s society on 1st April, 1999, stands restored for the assessment
years under consideration.”
B. In the case of Agra Development Authority (supra) it was observed thus:
’50. In the context of the IT Act, 1961, it’s undisputed that the grant of
registration is a onetime affair. The assessee is required to apply for
registration under S. 12A of the Act. Once the assessee has been registered
under S. 12A of the Act, by a specific order passed by the CIT, it stands
established from the purpose of the Act that activity being pursued by that
assessee is for a “charitable purposes” under S. 2(15) of the Act.
51. Then, there is nothing in the language of S. 12AA (3) of the Act that may
suggest registration of the assessee may be cancelled with retrospective
effect. The use of the words or have obtained registration at any time under
s. 12A of the Act added by amendment w.e.f. 1st June, 2010 only indicate
that the CIT was vested with the power to cancel a registration that may
have been granted to an assessee at any time prior to the aforesaid
amendment itself. However, it does not indicate that thereby the CIT had
been empowered to cancel the registration of the assessee with
retrospective effect i.e. w.e.f. a date prior to the date of issuance of the
order/notice to cancel the registration.
52. Clearly, the act of cancellation of registration has serious civil
consequences. In absence of any legislative intent expressed to suggest that
the legislature had empowered the CIT to cancel the assessee’s registration
under s. 12A of the Act with retrospective effect,, such power could not be
deemed to exist or arise or be exercised to unsettle closed/part transactions
especially because in this case the ground for cancellation has not arisen
out of allegation of fraud, collusion or misrepresentation.
53. Therefore, we are of the view that the cancellation of the assessee’s
under s. 12A of the Act, if at all, could be done only prospectively and not
retrospectively as had been done by the CIT in this case, thus, question No.1
is answered in the negative that is in favour of the assessee and against the
Revenue.
29. Thus, it is more than clear that section 12AA(3) of the Act of 1961,
doesn’t suggest or in any way contemplate that the registration of the
assessee may be cancelled with retrospective effect. And therefore,
this court is of the view that the cancellation of registration can only
be prospective.”
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19. Accordingly, in the facts and circumstances of the case and following the binding
precedents as cited above, we modify the impugned order of the Pr. CIT so far as the
cancellation of the registration with retrospective effect from 1.4.2006 and
cancellation of the approval under section 80G w.e.f. 13.10.2009 and hold that the
cancellation would be with effect from the previous year in which the assessee has
sold the education institutions and the activities of the assessee cease to exist and
therefore not being carried out in accordance with the objects of the assessee trust. In
conclusion, the cancellation of registration under section 12A as well as withdrawal of
approval under section 80G(5) are upheld but with effect from the financial year in
which the activity of the assessee ceased to exist.
20. In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is partly allowed.
Order pronounced in the open Court on .10.2021 through video
conferencing at Allahabad.
Sd/- 20/10/21
[RAMIT KOCHAR] [VIJAY PAL RAO]
ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER
Dated: /10/2021
Allahabad As per separate Dissenting order.
sh Sd/-
Copy forwarded to: 26/10/2021
1. Appellant (RAMIT KOCHAR)
2. Respondent ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
3. CIT(A), Allahabad
4. CIT
5. DR
By order
Assistant Registrar
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I.T.A. NO. 73/Alld./2019(Assessment Year : NA) in the case of Jeevan Jyoti
Charitable Trust, 162, Bai Ka Bagh, Lowther Road, Allahabad(U.P.) (PAN
AAATJ4359H) v. Pr. Commissioner of Income-tax, Central , Lucknow.
PER RAMIT KOCHAR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER:
Unable to agree with findings and conclusion reached by my learned Brother(J.M.) , I
proceed to write my separate order. I have gone through the order of my ld.
Brother(JM) and given my deep thought to the reasoning , view and findings of my ld.
Brother(JM). However, I am not able to agree and concur with the reasoning , view and
finding of ld. Brother (JM) on the issues which are discussed by me in later part of this
order.
2. The brief facts of the case are that the assessee was granted registration u/s 12A
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called “the Act”) by Revenue, vide
Commissioner of Income-tax , Allahabad order registration number 1/98-99 dated
29.01.1999 , and the assessee was also granted approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act ,
vide orders dated 13.10.2009. The assessee was created on 01.04.1990 and as part of
its educational activities , it has claimed to be engaged in running various institutions
and schools, i.e.-
(i) Jyoti Hospital Nursing School
(ii) Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Paramedical Sciences
(iii) Jeevan Jyoti Public School
(iv) Ascent Institute of Management & Technology
As claimed by Revenue, there was a search and seizure operations conducted u/s
132 of the 1961 Act in the case of the assessee along with other cases of the Jeevan
Jyoti Group on 29.05.2012 at the registered office of the assessee at 162, Bai-ka-
Bagh, Allahabad, U.P.. The cases of the group were centralized with Central Circle by
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Revenue u/s 127 of the 1961 Act. The assessee was registered u/s 12A of the 1961
Act and had since been claiming exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the 1961 Act, on the
strength of registration granted by ld. CIT , Allahabad on 29.01.1999 , u/s 12A of the
1961 Act. Pursuant to search and seizure operations conducted by Revenue u/s 132
of the 1961 Act, the assessee was issued notices by AO u/s 153A of the 1961 Act. In
response to notice issued u/s 153A by Revenue , the assessee filed its return of
income claiming exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the 1961 Act. The Revenue has claimed
that several incriminating documents pertaining to assessee-trust were also found
and seized during the aforesaid search and seizure operations conducted by
Revenue. While assessment proceedings were in progress, the assessee filed
application before the Income Tax Settlement Commission(ITSC) , New Delhi on
24.02.2015, wherein additional income of Rs. 65,00,000/- was disclosed by the
assessee-trust for the assessment years’ 2007-08 to 2014-15, as detailed hereunder:
S.No. Assessment Year Additional
Income
declared before
ITSC
(In Rs.)
Tax Paid
(In Rs.)
1. 2007-08 10,00,000 6,31,000
2. 2008-09 10,00,000 5,94,000
3. 2009-10 10,00,000 5,57,000
4. 2010-11 10,00,000 5,20,000
5. 2011-12 10,00,000 4,83,000
6. 2012-13 5,00,000 2,25,000
7. 2013-14 5,00,000 2,07,500
8. 2014-15 5,00,000 1,80,000
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So far as sources of the said additional income offered by assesse before ITSC, the
assessee has claimed that the said additional income offered by it in settlement
application filed before ITSC has arisen out of variety of sources, one such sources
being donation received from public at large. The assessee further claimed that these
donations so received by it were meant for construction of school building and other
infrastructure as also for other educational activities, and the same were directly
invested in such activities, without recording in the books of accounts of the
appellant trust and such utilization in educational activities were spread over in the
ay’s : 2007-08 to 2014-15 and worked out to be Rs. 65 lacs in aggregate. The Revenue
on its part filed Report in Rule 9 in the case of the assessee before ITSC , and total
additions to the income of the assessee to the tune of Rs. 10,37,96,184/- were
proposed by Revenue , as in view of Revenue the assessee was not engaged in
charitable activities, rather it was engaged in the business activities for the benefit
of its main trustees, namely Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal or
entities related to the trustees. The ITSC on its part passed an order dated
17.08.2016, u/s 245D(4) of the 1961 Act abating the applications before ITSC and
restored the proceedings back to the file of the AO. The assessee filed Miscellaneous
Application before ITSC against the order of ITSC dated 17.08.2016, but the M.A.
stood rejected by ITSC, vide order dated 20.01.2017, passed u/s 245D(6B) of the
1961 Act by ITSC. Thereafter , the AO completed assessment for ay: 2007-08 to 2014-
15 and the income assessed in the hands of the assessee for ay: 2007-08 to 2013-14,
were to the tune of 34,43,24,119/-, as detailed hereunder:-
S.No. Assessment
Year
Income
declared
(In Rs.)
Income
Assessed
(in Rs.)
Date of
Assessment
Order
Assessment
Order
passed u/s
1. 2007-08 Nil 51,95,230/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
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Section
143(3)
2. 2008-09 Nil 2,81,70,980/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
3. 2009-10 Nil 1,40,62,700/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
4. 2010-11 Nil 2,25,97,490/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
5. 2011-12 Nil 12,55,72,780/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
6. 2012-13 Nil 9,01,24,550/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
7. 2013-14 Nil 5,86,00,389/- 08.08.2017 Section
143(3)
Total Nil 34,43,24,119/-
2.2 The assessee filed first appeal before ld. CIT(A) for all these ay’s , which stood
dismissed by ld. CIT(A), vide separate appellate orders all dated 10.07.2018, passed
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by ld. CIT(A) for ay’s: 2007-08 to 2013-14. The assessee filed second appeal with
Division Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Allahabad, wherein tribunal
restored the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(A) for fresh adjudication, vide
composite order dated 21.12.2018 passed by tribunal in ITA No. 322 to
328/Alld/2018 for ay’s : 2007-08 to 2013-14. The ld. Pr. CIT(E) has recorded in his
order dated cancelling registration of the assessee u/s 12AA(3) of the 1961 Act that
presently the aforesaid appeals of the assessee for ay: 2007-08 to 2013-14 are lying
pending before ld. CIT(A) for fresh adjudication , in pursuance to directions of
tribunal vide appellate orders dated 21.12.2018.
2.3 Based on incriminating material found during search operations and the facts
admitted by the assessee in its application before ITSC, the Revenue was of the view
that the activities of the assessee are not genuine nor are they carried out as per
objects of the trust deed , which led to issuance of Show Cause Notice(SCN) by ld. Pr.
CIT(Central), Lucknow for cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) , dated
13/18.07.2017. The assessee filed its reply before ld. Pr. CIT(Central) through a
paper book, dated 01.08.2017 and requested to vacate the notice dated 13.07.2017,
as in the opinion of the assessee, the conditions for cancellation of registration u/s
12AA viz. firstly the activities of the trust are not genuine and secondly that the
activities are not being carried out in accordance with the object of the trust , are not
met. Another SCN , dated 20.12.2018 was also issued by ld. Pr. CIT(Central),
Lucknow, to assessee for compliance. The main crux of the aforesaid SCN issued by
ld. Pr. CIT(Central) , was that the assessee had deviated in performing any work for
charitable cause and its activities are not being carried out in accordance with the
objects of the trust. That the search and seizure operations u/s 132 of the 1961 Act
was carried out by Revenue and in pursuance to search , assessments were framed
by AO, who reported that during assessment proceedings the assessee has not given
any details of donations received such as name and address of donors, amount of
donation etc. which can prove the genuineness of donation of receipts, and which as
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per the AO indicates that these donations or receipts are not genuine and are part
of undisclosed taxable income of the trustees, the AO had further reported that the
assessee has during settlement proceedings declared total additional undisclosed
income of Rs. 65,00,000/- for ay: 2007-08 to 2014-15, which itself reveals that the
group is involved in concealment of taxable income, which was utilized for
investments in properties and other investments, thirdly the AO reported that as per
return of income of the assessee, huge receipts of the trust running in crores are
shown as ‘ Amount applied for charitable purposes’ in each year , but no details of
such charitable purposes are furnished during assessment proceedings for
verification. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed in the said SCN that as per
Balance Sheet of the assessee for ay: 2013-14, the assessee has given advance of Rs.
89,50,000/- to Dr. A K Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private Limited , and an advance
of Rs. 46,24,790/- to Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private Limited,
which evidences that the trust is diverting funds for the benefits of the trustee. It was
further observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) in the SCN that the assessee has diverted the
sale proceeds of assets of the trust for repayment of outstanding bank loans of the
trustee’s group concern and not utilized for betterment of charitable trust. The
assessee had sold Building of Jeevan Jyoti Public School at Bheerpur , and Building
of Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School at Apna-gaon , Rewa Road , Allahabad in September,
2017, and sale proceeds utilized for payment of bank loans of trustee’s group
concern. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed in SCN that in ay: 2011-12 , on
several occasions , Jyoti Hospital Nursing School made payment to trustee’s
company , (i) Rs. 13,00,000/- to Jyoti Hospital Private Limited (amount transferred)
(ii) Rs. 20,26,382/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Private Limited(amount advanced), which
reveals that the assessee is diverting funds for the benefits of the trustees’ group
concerns/companies. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed that ld. CIT(A)
against assessment framed by AO u/s 143(3) read with Section 153A for ay:2007-08
to 2013-14, has observed that during the course of assessment proceedings , the
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assessee was provided with sufficient opportunity to show cause why the exemption
u/s 11 of the 1961 Act , as claimed by assessee, be not withdrawn and the profit
shown by it may not be assessed as business income of the assessee. The ld. CIT(A)
had observed that assessee had failed to show any reasons for denying the
contention of the AO. The ld. CIT(A) has observed that the assessee is engaged in
generating business income for its trustees and had disclosed additional income of
Rs. 65,00,000/- for ay’s: 2007-08 to 2014-15 and offered the same for taxation
before ITSC. Thus, the ld. CIT(A) concluded that the denial of exemption u/s 11 of
the 1961 Act by the AO was held to be justified, and the ld.CIT(A) upheld the
additions as were made by AO, in the first round of litigation. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
then observed in his order dated 29.03.2019 that observation of ld. CIT(A) in first
round of litigation strengthens the fact that the assessee is not doing any charitable
activities, and is diverting funds for trustee’s benefits. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
observed that the activities of the trust was not involved wholly in charitable
activities; moreover the assessee was involved in business profits for the benefit of
Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal(Wife) and their family members,
who are trustees of the assessee, and the assessee is involved in such activities which
are contrary to the objective of the assessee-trust.
2.4 The assessee submitted before ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that since inception, it is
engaged in charitable purposes and is engaged in imparting education , through
various institutions set up by it , from time to time. The assessee also claimed that it
was never searched u/s 132(1) of the 1961 Act by Revenue, as there was no warrant
of authorization (as per particulars given in the Panchnama’s prepared by the
Authorized Officers) where name of the assessee appeared. The assessee claimed
that it had already objected before the AO as to framing of assessment u/s 153A of
the 1961 Act, because as per assessee it was never searched by Revenue u/s 132(1)
of the 1961 Act. The assessee also submitted before ld. Pr. CIT(Central) in response
to SCN, that notwithstanding the inherent illegality of proceedings u/s 153A of the
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1961 Act, the assessee has filed an application for settlement before ITSC on
24.02.2015 and sum of Rs. 65 lacs were declared as an additional income for ay’s:
2007-08 to 2014-15. The assessee also submitted that disclosure of this additional
income of Rs. 65 lacs was primarily made with reference to seized material which
indicated investment in construction of school building and other infrastructure of
the assessee-trust, exclusively used for the purposes of imparting education. It was
claimed that such seized material already formed part of the report prepared by the
AO under Rule 9 filed with ITSC. The assessee also claimed that the assessee’s case
has been abated by ITSC vide order dated 17.08.2016 by invoking provisions of
Section 245HA of the 1961 Act, and it was claimed that the AO did not completed the
assessment after abatement of the assessee application with ITSC, within the time
provided under the statute and hence all the assessments are time barred. The
assessee also claimed that the seized material itself shows that there was utilization
for the purposes of setting up/improving infrastructure of the assessee as was
required for carrying on educational activities of the assessee-trust for which the
assessee came into existence and for which registration was granted u/s 12AA of the
1961 Act and also approval for donation u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act was granted.
The assessee also submitted that these seized material reflect investment in
/improvement of infrastructure that had been set up by assessee for education and
these investment / utilization have been classified as income under the head
‘anonymous donation’ calling for taxation u/s 115BBC which has been offered for
taxation in the application filed for settlement of case before ITSC. The assessee also
claimed before ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that registration once granted u/s 12AA cannot
be cancelled , at least it cannot be cancelled with retrospective effect. So far as
specific issues raised by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) in his SCN concerning diversion of funds
of assessee for benefit of trustees and/or group entities , as well diversion of sale
proceeds of assets of the assessee for repayment of loans of group entities, the
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assessee chose not to reply despite several opportunities granted by ld. Pr.
CIT(Central).
2.5 The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) considered the submissions filed by the assessee in
response to the aforesaid SCN . The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that sufficient
opportunity was given to the assessee. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the
assessee was in receipt of cash money , which was not recorded in books of accounts
of the assessee. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the assessee has admitted in
settlement application that voluntary donation were received from public which has
not been accounted for in books of accounts of the assessee trust. The ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) also observed that names of donors, addresses or the amounts of
donation received from such persons have not been given by assessee before AO
during assessment proceedings nor the same were given in application filed before
ITSC. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the assessee was approved u/s 80G(5)
and it was obligated to issue proper receipts to donors under clause (c) of Section
80G(5)(i) so as to enable donors to claim deduction under the 1961 Act. It was
further observed that the assessee was under obligation to maintain separate books
of accounts for receipts as per clause (iv) of Section 80G(5) and also account for such
receipts in such books of accounts to fulfill the conditions for applying such receipts
for charitable purposes as per objects of the trust and also clause (b) of Section
12A(1) of the 1961 Act which deals with conditions for registration. It was further
observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that cash donations were not recorded in the books
of accounts and hence it could not be said that true and correct books of accounts
were maintained by assessee. It was further observed that one of the condition of
registration is that the accounts are to be audited and since the assessee is not
recording its receipts in its books of accounts, it could not be said that the accounts
reflect true and correct state of affairs and hence the assessee has violated conditions
of registration u/s 12A of the 1961 Act. It was further observed that the assessee’s
income was exempt u/s 11 of the 1961 Act and hence there was no need to keep such
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donations out of books. The assessee has not furnished the names and addresses of
donors , date and amount received from donors were also not given by the assessee
.The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that these cash donations cannot be said to be
received out of genuine activities in the absence of details furnished by assessee. The
ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also rejected the contentions of the assessee that these cash
donations can be taxed as anonymous donations u/s 115BBC without cancelling
registration of the assessee. It was observed that Section 115BBC deals with
taxability of anonymous donations which are otherwise accounted for in books of
accounts and not with the receipts/ donations which are not at all accounted for in
books of accounts. It was observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that by not giving details
of donations or by not recording the cash receipts in books of accounts, genuineness
of such activities resulting in receipt of such donation is unproved. It was further
observed that such unaccounted receipts do not partake the character of income
having being derived income from property held under trust for the purposes of
exemption u/s 11 and such unaccounted receipts are not of the nature as specified
un Section 11(1)(a) of as well as in Section 12(1) of the 1961 Act, and hence
consequently it could not be said that the said amounts were utilized for the
purposes and objects of the trust nor it could be said that the activities of the assesee-
trust were genuine or being carried out as per objects of the trust deed. The ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) further held that the assessee has applied its funds for the benefit of
trustees and their family members or related entities. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
quoted some instances of diversion of funds in its order dated 29.03.2019 at para 4.3
at page 14/15, as under:
“
i) In trust balance sheet at schedule-9 of advance of A.Y. 2013-14 the
assessee has given loan & advance to trustee as under:-
Rs. 89,50,000/- to Dr. A.K.Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Pvt.
Ltd.
Rs. 46,24,790/- to Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital
Pvt. Ltd.
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In A.Y. 2011-12, on several occasions , Jyoti Hospital Nursing School made
payment to trustee’s company as under:-
Rs. 13,00,000/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. (amount
transferred)
Rs. 20,26,382/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd.(amount
advanced)
From the above facts it is evident that the trust is diverting fund for the
benefits of trustees or related entities of the trustees and hence the
activities of the trust are not being genuinely carried as per the objects of
the trust and also violating the conditions of clause (ii) of 80G(5).
(ii) Further as per schedule-5 of fixed assets the assessee has transferred the
funds for investment in assets as capital expenditure. The details of transaction
in trust is as under:-
Building under construction at Bheerpur Rs. 2,77,98,129/-
Building under construction for Aapna Gaon Rs. 5,25,69,129/-
However, as per the latest information, the Jeevan Jyoti Public Scholl building at
Bheerpur and Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School building Apnagaon, Rewa Road ,
Allahabad are already sold in September 2017 and sale proceeds are utilized for
repayment of outstanding bank loans of the trustee’s group concerns and not
utilized for the purposes of the trust of the charitable trust. The capital assets of
the trust have therefore been transferred and the funds therefrom have not been
utilized for purposes of the trust’s object and hence the activities of the trust are
not being genuinely carried as per the objects of the trust beside violating
condition of section 11(3). There is also violation of the conditions of clause(ii)
of 80G(5).”
The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed that the assessee instead of replying
as to how the assessee fulfills conditions as stipulated u/s 12A, has been more harping
on irrelevant and technical issues. The ld. Pr. CIT(central ) observed that first SCN was
issued on 18.07.2017 and the assessee submitted reply on 01.08.2017, but no order
was passed by previous incumbent who got transferred on 25.08.2017. Since, there
was a change in incumbent , fresh SCN was issued on 20.12.2018. The ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) also observed that facts which are undisputedly admitted by the assessee
in its own application filed with ITSC after the notices were issued u/s 153A, which
are being used to decide the validity of registration u/s 12A . The ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
further observed , without prejudice, that the assessee has gone upto Hon’ble High
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Court challenging the validity of notices issued u/s 153A, but failed to succeed. The ld.
Pr. CIT(Central) further observed that issue of limitation of assessment u/s 153A
cannot have any implication on deciding the question whether the assessee trust was
carrying on its activities as per the objects of the trust for which it was granted
registration. The ld. Pr. CIT( Central) further observed that the appeal filed by assessee
before ld. CIT(A) was dismissed. The assessee then filed second appeal with tribunal ,
and now the matter is set aside by tribunal to the file of ld. CIT(A) for passing fresh
orders. It was observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that tribunal has not held the order the
appellate order passed by ld. CIT(A) in first round of litigation to be null and void, there
is no merit on the issue raised by assessee on validity of search assessment u/s 153A,
more so when these are not relevant for the purposes of these proceedings u/s 12AA
which are independent. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed that even if search
assessment are held to be bad in law, still material which was collected during search
or otherwise, could still be used for any other proceedings under the 1961 Act. The
reference was drawn by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) to the decision of Hon’ble Apex Court in
the case of Dr. Pratap Singh & Anr. v. Director of Enforcement & ors. (1985) 155 ITR
166(SC). The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also rejected the contentions of the assessee that the
admission of additional income by assessee before ITSC cannot be used in any other
proceedings, as in the opinion of ld. Pr. CIT(Central) admission of additional income
by assessee in an application filed before ITSC will bind the assessee and it cannot now
retract from its own admission merely because its application before ITSC had abated,
in the proceedings conducted for cancellation of registration u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act.
The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also rejected the contentions of the assessee that source of
receipts is not relevant and what is relevant is only utilization of receipts as contended
by assessee before ld. Pr. CIT(Central). It was observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that if
sources are not to be seen , then provisions of Section 2(15) would be rendered otiose.
It was observed that test of utilization would come into play only when the test of
source is not under question. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the source of
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unaccounted receipts under the garb of anonymous donations itself is under grave
suspicion , as also genuineness of the activity during which such unaccounted cash was
received. It was observed that manner of earning unaccounted receipts would lead to
commercial profiteering , which is impermissible u/s 2(15). It was observed that if
income was in violation of objects of the trust or any law or socially acceptable
standards , such activity cannot remain as charitable per se . The ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
referred to provisions of Section 2(15) of the 1961 Act. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) held
that the these receipts are not recorded in the books of accounts nor the expenses out
of such receipts are recorded in the books of accounts, and hence the argument of the
assessee that the same were utilized for the objects of the assessee trust were rejected
by ld. Pr. CIT(Central). It was held that such cash receipts which are not recorded in
books of accounts cannot be said to be derived from property held under the trust or
as per objects of the trust. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further observed that the action of
not recording the receipts in books of accounts cannot also be said to be an activity
genuinely carried as per authorization under the trust deed. It was further observed
by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that test prescribed u/s 11 regarding application of such
receipts/income to charitable purposes also fails in the case of assessee. It was
observed that Section 11(1)(a) stipulates that ‘to extent of such income applied to such
purposes in India’ and also ‘to extent to which the income so accumulated or set apart
is not in excess of 15% of the income from such property’ , would impliedly require
maintenance of accounts comprising of all receipts and expenses pertaining to the
objects/purposes of the trust. It was observed that when receipts or expenses are not
recorded in books of accounts maintained by assessee, the test of the income applied
for such purposes and computation of limit of 15% of income for accumulation would
also fail. Thus, it could not be said that the activities of the trust were carried genuinely
as per the charitable objects of the trust deed. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also rejected the
contentions of the assessee that registration u/s 12A cannot be withdrawn
retrospectively. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the facts admitted by assessee
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in its SOF filed before ITSC indicates that the assessee-trust was receiving cash which
was unaccounted for the period commencing from financial year 2006-07 relevant to
ay: 2007-08 till ay:2014-15. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) held that cancellation of
registration u/s 12AA(3) is to be given effect retrospectively from the date from which
the assessee-trust was found to be violating conditions of 12A registration i.e.
01.04.2006. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) referred to Constitution Bench of Hon’ble
Supreme Court decision in the case of Commissioner of Custom(Import) v. Dilip
Kumar and Company (2018) 95 taxmann.com 327(SC), to hold that provisions of
Section 12AA(3) is to be interpreted strictly.He also referred to decision of Hon’ble
Karnataka High Court in the case of Navodaya Education Trust v. UOI, w.p. no. 3468-
3472/2018. The decision of Bangalore-tribunal in the case of Vidya Sewa Sangathna v.
CIT, Hubli 71 taxmann.com 152 was also referred by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) , to hold that
registration granted u/s 12A can be cancelled with retrospective effect subject to
specified conditions as specified in Section 12AA(3). The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also
referred to Hon’ble Supreme Court having admitted SLP in the case of PCIT v. JIS
Foundation 257 Taxman 261 (SC). It was also observed by Ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that
Hon’ble Supreme Court has admitted SLP against decision of Hon’ble Allahabad High
Court decision in the case of Rama Education Society 259 Taxman 368(SC), wherein
Hon’ble High Court had held that withdrawal of registration u/s 12AA(3) of the 1961
Act cannot be retrospective. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) further held that not only
conditions for grant of registration u/s 12A were violated, but also that conditions of
sub-clause (c) of clause(i) of 80G(5) and clause (ii) and (iv) of 80G(5) are also violated
as the assessee had failed to maintain books of accounts in respect of so called cash
donations, nor have produced any evidence of having issued any receipts for such
donations and the funds of the assessee-trust have been transferred for purposes
other than charitable purposes. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also observed that the
assessee has obtained multiple PAN numbers and also had obtained multiple
registration u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act. It was also observed that ld. CIT(E) has already
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cancelled registration granted u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act, vide cancellation order dated
08.02.2019. Thus, the ld. Pr. CIT(Central) being satisfied held that the assessee-trust
does not exist solely for charitable purposes and that the activities of the assessee trust
were not being carried genuinely as per the charitable objects of the trust deed. Thus,
the registration granted u/s 12A by ld. CIT, Allahabad order granting registration No.
1/98-99 dated 29.01.1999, was cancelled by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) w.e.f. from 01.04.2006
by invoking provisions of Section 12AA(3) of the 1961 Act, vide orders dated
29.03.2019 . Further ld. Pr. CIT(Central) was pleased to cancel registration granted u/s
80G(5) of the 1961, w.e.f. date when it was granted on 13.10.2009, vide orders dated
29.03.2019.
3. Aggrieved by the orders dated 29.03.2019 passed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) u/s
12AA(3) and 80G(5) of the 1961 Act, the assessee filed first appeal with tribunal. This
appeal was heard by Division Bench of the tribunal through video conferencing
through virtual court. My ld. Brother Hon’ble Judicial Member has reproduced grounds
of appeal raised by assessee in memo of appeal filed with the tribunal , and for sake of
brevity, the same are not reproduced by me in this order. My ld. Brother Hon’ble
Judicial Member has recorded in his order the contentions raised by both the rival
parties during the course of hearing , and hence for the sake of brevity the same are
not repeated.
4. So far as ground number 1 and 2 raised by the assessee in memo of appeal filed
with tribunal, which concerns itself with raising challenge to second notice issued by
ld. Pr. CIT(Central) proposing to cancel registration u/s 12AA(3) , and also raising
challenge to legality of search conducted by Revenue u/s 132 (1) against the assessee
, I am in agreement with decision of my ld. Brother Hon’ble Judicial Member , and there
is no divergence of my view on the same vis-à-vis view of my ld. Brother Hon’ble
Judicial Member. Thus, accepting the view of my ld. Brother Hon'ble Judicial Member
as discussed in para 4 to 10 of his order dated 20.10.2021, I dismiss ground number 1
and 2 raised by assessee in memo of appeal filed with tribunal. I order accordingly.
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5. So far as ground number 3 to 9 are concerned, my ld. Brother Hon’ble Judicial
Member has given his findings and conclusion in para 14 to 19 of his order dated
20.10.2021. In nut-shell, my ld. Brother Hon’ble Judicial Member has upheld
cancellation of registration u/s 12A and withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) with effect
from the financial year in which the assessee has sold its educational institutions and
the activities of the assessee had ceased to exist and therefore not carried out in
accordance with the object of the assessee trust, while the ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
cancelled registration u/s 12AA(3) retrospectively w.e.f. 01.04.2006, while the
approval granted u/s 80G(5) was cancelled by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) w.e.f date of grant
of approval viz. 13.10.2009. My ld. Brother has also held that cancellation of
registration u/s 12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) cannot be done with
retrospective effect.
5.2 As I have already stated in preceding para’s of this order that I differ from the
decision of my ld. Brother Hon’ble Judicial Member , and hence I am proceeding to
write my own order . I am of the view that the matter needs to be set aside and restored
to the file of ld. Pr. CIT for denovo consideration of issue of cancellation of registration
u/s 12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act, for the reasons
cited below by me in this order.
6. The brief facts of the case are that the assessee was granted registration u/s 12A
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by Revenue, vide Commissioner of
Income-tax , Allahabad order registration number 1/98-99 dated 29.01.1999 , and the
assessee was also granted approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act , vide orders dated
13.10.2009. The assessee was created on 01.04.1990 and as part of its educational
activities , it has claimed to be engaged in running various institutions and schools, i.e.-
(i) Jyoti Hospital Nursing School
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(ii) Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Paramedical Sciences
(iii) Jeevan Jyoti Public School
(iv) Ascent Institute of Management & Technology
As claimed by Revenue, there was a search and seizure operations conducted u/s
132 of the 1961 Act in the case of the assessee along with other cases of the Jeevan
Jyoti Group on 29.05.2012 at the registered office of the assessee at 162, Bai-ka-
Bagh, Allahabad, U.P.. The cases of the group were centralized with Central Circle by
Revenue u/s 127 of the 1961 Act. The assessee has on the other hand disputed that
the assessee was never searched by Revenue. The assessee was registered u/s 12A
of the 1961 Act and had since been claiming exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the 1961
Act, on the strength of registration granted by ld. CIT , Allahabad on 29.01.1999 , u/s
12A of the 1961 Act. Pursuant to search and seizure operations as claimed to be
conducted by Revenue u/s 132 of the 1961 Act which is although disputed by the
assessee, the AO issued notices to the assessee, u/s 153A of the 1961 Act. In
response to notices issued u/s 153A by Revenue , the assessee filed its return of
income claiming exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the 1961 Act. The Revenue has claimed
that several incriminating documents pertaining to assessee-trust were also found
and seized during the aforesaid search and seizure operations conducted by
Revenue. While assessment proceedings were in progress, the assessee filed
application before ITSC , New Delhi on 24.02.2015 u/s 245C, wherein additional
income of Rs. 65,00,000/- was disclosed by the assessee-trust for the assessment
years’ 2007-08 to 2014-15 in SOF filed with ITSC, as detailed hereunder:
S.No. Assessment Year Additional
Income
declared before
ITSC
(In Rs.)
Tax Paid
(In Rs.)
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1. 2007-08 10,00,000 6,31,000
2. 2008-09 10,00,000 5,94,000
3. 2009-10 10,00,000 5,57,000
4. 2010-11 10,00,000 5,20,000
5. 2011-12 10,00,000 4,83,000
6. 2012-13 5,00,000 2,25,000
7. 2013-14 5,00,000 2,07,500
8. 2014-15 5,00,000 1,80,000
So far as sources of the said additional income offered by assesse before ITSC, the
assessee has claimed that the said additional income offered by it in settlement
application filed before ITSC has arisen out of variety of sources, one such sources
being donation received from public at large. The assessee further claimed that these
donations so received by it were meant for construction of school building and other
infrastructure as also for other educational activities, and the same were directly
invested in such activities, without recording in the books of accounts of the
appellant trust and such utilization in educational activities were spread over in the
ay’s : 2007-08 to 2014-15 and worked out to be Rs. 65 lacs in aggregate. Proceeding
further, the Revenue on its part filed Report in Rule 9 in the case of the assessee
before ITSC , and total additions to the income of the assessee to the tune of Rs.
10,37,96,184/- were proposed by Revenue , as in view of Revenue the assessee was
not engaged in charitable activities, rather it was engaged in the business activities
for the benefit of its main trustees, namely Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr.
Vandana Bansal or entities related to the trustees. It is pertinent to mention that
these additions to income vide Report in Rule 9 were , inter-alia, proposed to be
made to income of the assessee by Revenue based on disclosures of Rs. 65 lacs made
by the assessee before ITSC as well based on incriminating material seized during
the course of search and seizure operations conducted by Revenue u/s 132 of the
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1961 Act. The ITSC on its part passed an order dated 17.08.2016, u/s 245D(4) of the
1961 Act abating the applications before ITSC and restored the proceedings back to
the file of the AO. The assessee filed Miscellaneous Application before ITSC against
the order of ITSC dated 17.08.2016, but the M.A. stood rejected by ITSC, vide order
dated 20.01.2017, passed u/s 245D(6B) of the 1961 Act by ITSC. It is also pertinent
to mention at this stage that additional income offered before ITSC by various
persons/ entities of the group(including assessee) were to the tune of Rs.
6,47,84,610/- , while so far as assessee is concerned the additional income offered
for taxation by assessee before ITSC was in aggregate to the tune of Rs. 65 lacs for
ay’s; 2007-08 to 2014-15 . Thereafter , the AO completed assessment for ay: 2007-
08 to 2014-15 and the income assessed in the hands of the assessee for ay: 2007-08
to 2013-14, were to the tune of 34,43,24,119/-, as detailed hereunder:-
S.No. Assessment
Year
Income
declared
(In Rs.)
Income
Assessed
(in Rs.)
Date of
Assessment
Order
Assessment
Order
passed u/s
1. 2007-08 Nil 51,95,230/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
2. 2008-09 Nil 2,81,70,980/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
3. 2009-10 Nil 1,40,62,700/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
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4. 2010-11 Nil 2,25,97,490/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
5. 2011-12 Nil 12,55,72,780/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
6. 2012-13 Nil 9,01,24,550/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
7. 2013-14 Nil 5,86,00,389/- 08.08.2017 Section
143(3)
Total Nil 34,43,24,119/-
As could be seen that the income in aggregate assessed by AO in the hands of the
assessee for ay’s: 2007-08 to 2013-14 were aggregating to the tune of Rs.34.43 crores,
as against income declared by assessee of Rs. Nil for each of these assessment years. It
is pertinent to mention that additions to the income of the assessee for ay’s: 2007-08
to 2013-14 were made by AO while framing aforesaid assessments , mainly , inter-alia,
on ground of (i) declaration made by assessee before ITSC of additional income of Rs.
65 lacs ,(ii) income based on incriminating material seized during the course of search
and seizure operations conducted by Revenue u/s 132 of the 1961 Act, and (iii) denial
of exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the 1961 Act by bringing to tax income declared by
assessee in its return of income which was claimed exempt by the assessee . It is also
pertinent to mention here that the assessee did not furnish details called for by the AO
during the course of assessment proceedings conducted by AO, and hence the AO was
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constrained to frame assessments based on material on record, despite several
opportunities granted by AO to assessee to furnish the details
/explanations/evidences etc. during the course of assessment proceedings . While
framing assessment pursuant to search, the AO reported that during assessment
proceedings the assessee has not given any details of donations received such as name
and address of donors, amount of donation etc. which can prove the genuineness of
donation of receipts, and which as per the AO indicates that these donations or
receipts are not genuine and are part of undisclosed taxable income of the trustees,
the AO had further reported that the assessee has during settlement proceedings
declared total additional undisclosed income of Rs. 65,00,000/- for ay: 2007-08 to
2014-15, which itself reveals that the group is involved in concealment of taxable
income, which was utilized for investments in properties and other investments,
thirdly the AO reported that as per return of income of the assessee, huge receipts of
the trust running in crores are shown as ‘ Amount applied for charitable purposes’ in
each year , but no details of such charitable purposes are furnished during assessment
proceedings for verification. The assessee thus, did not gave details, such as name and
address of the donors as well amount of donation and purpose of donation. The ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) also observed that names of donors, addresses or the amounts of
donation received from such persons have not been given by assessee before AO
during assessment proceedings nor the same were given in application filed before
ITSC. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that the assessee was approved u/s 80G(5) and
it was obligated to issue proper receipts to donors under clause (c) of Section
80G(5)(i) so as to enable donors to claim deduction under the 1961 Act. It was further
observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that the assessee was under obligation to maintain
separate books of accounts for receipts as per clause (iv) of Section 80G(5) and also
account for such receipts in such books of accounts to fulfill the conditions for applying
such receipts for charitable purposes as per objects of the trust and also clause (b) of
Section 12A(1) of the 1961 Act which deals with conditions for registration. It was
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further observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that cash donations were not recorded in the
books of accounts and hence it could not be said that true and correct books of
accounts were maintained by assessee. It was further observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central)
that one of the condition of registration is that the accounts are to be audited and since
the assessee is not recording its receipts in its books of accounts, it could not be said
that the accounts reflect true and correct state of affairs and hence the assessee has
violated conditions of registration u/s 12A of the 1961 Act. It was further observed
that the assessee’s income was exempt u/s 11 of the 1961 Act and hence there was no
need to keep such donations out of books. The assessee has not furnished the names
and addresses of donors , date and amount received from donors were also not given
by the assessee .The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) observed that these cash donations cannot be
said to be received out of genuine activities in the absence of details furnished by
assessee. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) also rejected the contentions of the assessee that
these cash donations can be taxed as anonymous donations u/s 115BBC without
cancelling registration of the assessee. It was observed that Section 115BBC deals with
taxability of anonymous donations which are otherwise accounted for in books of
accounts and not with the receipts/ donations which are not at all accounted for in
books of accounts. It was observed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) that by not giving details of
donations or by not recording the cash receipts in books of accounts, genuineness of
such activities resulting in receipt of such donation is unproved. It was further
observed that such unaccounted receipts do not partake the character of income
having being derived income from property held under trust for the purposes of
exemption u/s 11 and such unaccounted receipts are not of the nature as specified un
Section 11(1)(a) of as well as in Section 12(1) of the 1961 Act, and hence consequently
it could not be said that the said amounts were utilized for the purposes and objects of
the trust nor it could be said that the activities of the assesee-trust were genuine or
being carried out as per objects of the trust deed. Thus, it is one of the main grievance
of the Revenue in all the proceedings be it for framing assessment or proceedings
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conducted for cancellation of Registration u/s 12AA(3) of the 1961 Act, that the
assessee has not provided details of donations or sum received by it to prove its
genuineness , as no details of name and address of the persons , purpose of donation
etc. was provided by assessee to Revenue, which concerns both with these donations
of Rs. 65 lacs which are not recorded in its books of accounts as well other sum
received which stood recorded in assessee’s books of accounts . It is a matter of record
that the assessee has not given any details of these receipts before any of the
authorities , including us. The assessee on the other hand is advancing arguments, that
there is no relevance of seeing the sources of receipts. This argument of the assessee
is fallacious and is hereby rejected. I have observed while going through the audited
accounts of the assessee and institution run by it, for the financial year 2006-07
onwards, which are placed in paper book(s) at page number 254 to 524 and page 730-
732 , that the assessee has received large sums of money towards Donations, Corpus
funds, Building fund , Development fund etc. which stood credited in its books of
accounts. It is not uncommon that educational institutions in India illegally demand
capitation fee and other forced amount of money by way of Corpus fund, Building fund,
Development fund, Donations etc. from students/parents of the students, while
admitting students in the institution, which sum(s) of money so raised are much in
excess of fees and other charges as approved by Government or AICTE etc. and are
illegal receipts causing wreckage at the very fundamental of education system in our
country and hence by no stretch of imagination, these ill-gotten receipts can be
allowed to be recovered and educational institutions who are engaged in raising these
ill-gotten money cannot be allowed to be given benefit of exemption u/s 11 and 12 of
the 1961 Act . Since, I am setting aside the order dated 29.03.2019 passed by ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) for denovo consideration and passing of fresh order(s) regarding
cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) after
considering entire material on record , the assessee is directed to produce all the
relevant details of the donations and all other sums so received in the form of Building
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Fund, Corpus Fund, Development Fund, Donations etc. to prove that these are genuine
receipts , and are neither bogus nor have any nexus/co-relation with the admission of
students in the institutions run by the assessee. The ld. Pr. CIT(Central) shall verify
whether there exists any nexus of these receipts with the admission of students in the
institution run by the assessee, and also whether the fees charged by institutions run
by assessee is in accord with the fees approved by Government or AICTE etc..
Reference is drawn to decision of Hon’ble Kerala High Court decision in the case of
Travancore Education Society v. CIT reported in (2016) 66 taxmann.com 362(Ker. HC
), wherein Hon’ble Kerala High Court held that wherein the trust was receiving
capitation fee in addition to fee , it could not be said that the said trust is anymore
carrying out its objects for charitable purposes. The order of Hon’ble Kerala High
Court was confirmed by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No 1955 of 2015, vide
orders dated 21.01.2021( reported in (2021) 126 taxmann.com 21(SC). If the assessee
hands are clean , then it should come forward with all the details and there is no
reasons to withheld such details. If the assessee does not furnish these details, then
presumption will be drawn against the assessee. Reference is drawn to provisions of
Section 114(g) of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. It is also one of the contentions of the
Revenue that the assessee has given advance of Rs. 89,50,000/- to Dr. A K Bansal
through Jyoti Hospital Private Limited , and an advance of Rs. 46,24,790/- to Dr.
Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private Limited, which evidences that the trust
is diverting funds for the benefits of the trustee. It is also the grievance of Revenue that
in ay: 2011-12, on several occasions , Jyoti Hospital Nursing School made payment to
trustee’s company as under:-
Rs. 13,00,000/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. (amount
transferred)
Rs. 20,26,382/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd.(amount
advanced)
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It is contended by Revenue that from the above facts it is evident that the trust is
diverting fund for the benefits of trustees or related entities of the trustees and hence
the activities of the trust are not being genuinely carried as per the objects of the trust
and also violating the conditions of clause (ii) of 80G(5). The assessee has given a
balled and general statement before the Bench that from the other group entities , the
sum received by assessee was higher and hence there is no net amount advanced by
the assessee to trustee. This arguments is also fallacious, as every entity is a separate
entity and hence all the transactions with inter-related parties who are hit by Section
13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act are to be separately explained vis-à-vis- reference to
books of accounts and flow of money. The assessee has claimed itself to be a charitable
entity and there is a prohibition that trustees and their relatives, concerns in which
they or their relatives are interested shall not derive any benefit from the charitable
trust. Reference is drawn to Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act. I have gone
through the audited financial statements of the assessee for the financial year 2006-
07 to 2017-18, which are placed in paper book(s) at page 254 to 524 and 730-741, and
I have observed that several transaction of substantial amounts have been conducted
by assessee, with Jyoti Hospitals Private Limited, Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr
Vandana Bansal. The assessee has claimed exemption of income u/s 11 and 12 , by
getting itself registered u/s 12A of the 1961 Act and the onus is on the assessee to
prove by cogent evidences that no benefit was derived by trustees , their relatives or
concerns in which they are interested etc. and provisions of Section 13(2) and 13(3)
are not hit, and merely making balled and general statement is not sufficient nor is it
sufficient to say that group entities have advanced more sum of money to assessee
than what is advanced by the assessee to the trustees , their relatives or concerns in
which trustees are interested , and hence consequently Section 13(2) and 13(3) are
not hit. The onus is on the assessee to bring on record cogent evidences in its defense.
On the part of Revenue , it has to do in-depth analysis of financial records and other
relevant material to arrive at decision whether or not any benefit was derived by
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trustees or their relatives or entities associated with them to see whether there were
or were not violation of Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act and in case of
violations consequences will follow. The onus is on the assessee to bring on record all
cogent material in connection therewith in its defense , to explain all the transactions
entered into by it with its trustees, their relatives and /or entities
associated/connected therewith, as provided u/s 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act. The
Revenue has also alleged that assessee has diverted the sale proceeds of assets of the
trust for repayment of outstanding bank loans of the trustee’s group concern and not
utilized for betterment of charitable trust. The assessee had sold Building of Jeevan
Jyoti Public School at Bheerpur , and Building of Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School at Apna-
gaon , Rewa Road , Allahabad in September, 2017, and sale proceeds utilized for
payment of bank loans of trustee’s group concern. These are again serious allegations
levelled by Revenue as to diversion of funds to group entities. The onus is on assessee
to bring on record all cogent material in its defense. The assessee had filed first appeal
before ld. CIT(A) against assessment orders passed by AO pursuant to search for all
these ay’s , which stood dismissed by ld. CIT(A) in first round of litigation , vide
separate appellate orders all dated 10.07.2018, passed by ld. CIT(A) for ay’s: 2007-08
to 2013-14. The assessee filed second appeal with Division Bench of Allahabad-
tribunal, who restored the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(A) for fresh adjudication,
vide composite order dated 21.12.2018 passed by tribunal in ITA No. 322 to
328/Alld/2018 for ay’s : 2007-08 to 2013-14. These appeals for ay: 2007-08 to 2013-
14 are stated to be presently lying pending before ld. CIT(A) for fresh adjudication , in
pursuance to directions of tribunal vide appellate orders dated 21.12.2018. Almost
three years had since been passed , when the tribunal passed the appellate order dated
21.12.2018 and restored the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(A) and in my considered
view the adjudication of these appeals by ld. CIT(A) and its outcome has direct bearing
on the adjudication of cancellation of registration of the assessee u/s 12AA(3) and
80G(5) of the 1961 Act . In the interest of justice, it will be important that ld. CIT(A)
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expeditiously adjudicate all the appeals of the assessee which are pending before it ,
as the outcome of these appeals has in my considered view direct bearing on the
decision regarding cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and 80G(5) of the 1961
Act . In any case, the ld. Pr. CIT while denovo deciding the cancellation of registration
u/s 12AA and 80G(5) of the 1961 Act will consider all the aspects covered by AO while
framing assessment against the assessee for the relevant ay’s, as it is well settled that
material seized or collected by Revenue can be utilized for framing assessment or in
any other proceedings conducted against the tax-payer. The decision of Hon’ble
Supreme Court in the case of Dr. Pratap Singh v. Director of Enforcement (1985) 155
ITR 166(SC) is relevant .It is pertinent to mention by availing a status wherein
registration u/s 12A and 80G is granted, the tax-payer enjoys exemption from tax u/s
11 and 12 of the 1961 Act and it is incumbent on the part of the tax-payer that it strictly
complies with the conditions attached with the grant of exemption , and any misuse
will lead to cancellation/withdrawn of exemption. It is pertinent to mention that the
exemption provisions are to be strictly construed and any ambiguity shall accrue to
the benefit of Revenue. The tax-payer has to strictly comply with the condition
attached with grant of exemption and onus squarely lies on the tax-payer. The decision
of Constitution Bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Commissioner of
Custom(Import) v. Dilip Kumar and Company (2018) 95 taxmann.com 327(SC) is
relevant. It is pertinent to mention here that cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3)
and 80G(5) of the 1961 Act as was done by Ld. Pr. CIT(Central) and that too with
retrospective effect has serious and wide ramifications/implications causing severe
prejudice to the tax-payer , thus it become all the more important that before
cancelling registration u/s 12AA(3) and 80G(5) of the 1961 Act , all the issues/aspects
which has bearing on continuation of registration u/s 12A and approval u/s 80G shall
be considered and confronted to the tax-payer by giving proper opportunity of being
heard in view of principles of natural justice, so that if so warranted based on facts
and circumstance of the case , a comprehensive order covering all aspects/issues
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having bearing on cancellation of Registration u/s 12AA(3) and approval u/s 80G(5)
of the 1961 Act need be passed, covering all the instances of infringement of conditions
attached to registration u/s 12A. This would require detailed analysis of the financial
statements and the other relevant material by the authorities. The assessee on its part
is directed to file all relevant details and co-operate in the proceedings, otherwise
presumption will be drawn against the assessee. Reference is once again drawn to
provision of Section 114(g) of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Since, I am setting aside
matter back to the file of ld. Pr. CIT for denovo determination of the matter, the issue
of multiple PAN and registration u/s 12A obtained by assessee shall also be looked
into by ld. Pr. CIT to see whether it was inadvertently obtained or was any misuse of
multiple PAN and registration u/s 12A was made or attempted by assessee to derive
undue benefits.
It is also pertinent to mention here that a letter dated 10.02.2020 was received by
tribunal (copy annexed to this order) , in which one Mr. Amresh Kumar Singh S/o Shri
Vijay Bahadur Singh Residence of Village Tikaria Khurd, Post Khemipur, District
Pratapgarh,U.P. , current address 16G/53G , Kazipur, Naini , Praygraj(U.P.) Phone No.
7355738401, has stated that he was former employee of Jeevan Jyoti Hospital and in
his name businesses were shown by the assessee and he is facing huge tax demand. He
has stated in the letter that entire information to this effect was already given to
department. It is further stated by said Mr. Amrish Kumar Singh in the said letter that
the assessee is not a charitable institution as is claimed by assessee. This letter dated
10.02.2020 was forwarded by Division Bench of the tribunal to both the rival parties
for filing their response , in the hearing held by Division Bench of Allahabad-tribunal ,
on 11.02.2020. The Division Bench passed following interim order dated 11.02.2020
which stood recorded in order sheet entry:
“11/2/2020 Present: Sh. Gaurav Bansal, CA
Sh. S.K. Madhuk, CIT(DR)
The contents of letter dated 11.02.2020 , written to the Tribunal by one
Sh. Amrish Kumar Singh, have been made available to the
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representative of both the parties . This letter is placed on the record.
Both the ld. Representatives have been required to file their response to
the letter. As such, adjourned sine die.
Sd/- Sd/-
AM VP”
Both the rival parties have chosen not to file their response to the aforesaid directions
of the Division , dated 11.02.2020. This complaint dated 10.02.2020 filed by one Mr.
Amrish Kumar Singh shall also be considered and taken into cognizance by ld. Pr.
CIT(Central) while adjudicating the cancellation of registration of the assessee, u/s
12AA(3) of the 1961 Act, as in my considered view if the evidence brought in by the
complainant have substance, then obviously it will also have important bearing on
decision to cancel registration u/s 12AA and 80G. I have already stated that
cancellation of registration u/s 12AA and 80G has serious and wide ranging
ramification and hence composite and comprehensive order, if facts so warrant, is
required to be passed considering all aspects which evidences and establishes misuse
of status of registration u/s 12AA and 80G of the 1961 Act, need to be passed and of
course after giving proper opportunity of being heard to the assessee. At the same
time, needless, to say that filing of frivolous complaint also lead to serious prejudice ,
harassment and inconvenience to the person against whom such frivolous complaint
is filed, and such frivolous complaints also have its own legal consequences against the
person who has filed such frivolous complaint.
Now , coming to the contentions of the assessee that the registration granted u/s 12A
of the 1961 Act cannot be cancelled with retrospective effect, in my considered view,
this argument cannot be accepted as , in case it is found that the assessee has infringed
the conditions of registration and misused the registration u/s 12A of the 1961 Act
from earlier period , the Revenue shall be within its power to cancel registration u/s
12AA(3) from the earlier date from which misuse of the registration or infringement
of conditions of registration u/s 12A took place. The Recent decision of Hon’ble
Supreme Court in the case of CIT(E) v. Batanagar Education and Research Trust ,
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reported in (2021) 129 taxmann.com 30(SC) is relevant, wherein Hon’ble Supreme
Court held as under:
“This appeal challenges the judgment and order dated 9-10-2018 passed by the High
Court at Calcutta in ITA No. 116 of 2018 setting aside (i) the order dated 25-2-2016 passed
by Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption) ("CIT" for short) cancelling registration of
the respondent Trust ("Trust", for short) under section 12AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961
("the Act" for short); and (ii) the order dated 13-9-2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate
Tribunal ("the Tribunal", for short) dismissing appeals arising therefrom.
2. The Trust was registered under section 12AA of the Act vide order dated 6-8-2010 and
was also accorded approval under section 80G(vi) of the Act.
3. In a survey conducted on an entity named School of Human Genetics and Population
Health, Kolkata under section 133A of the Act, it was prima facie observed that the Trust
was not carrying out its activities in accordance with the objects of the Trust. A show cause
notice was, therefore, issued by the CIT on 4-12-2015.
4. In answer to the questionnaire issued by the Department, Shri Rabindranath Lahiri,
Managing Trustee of the Trust gave answers to some of the questions as under:
"Q.11. Please confirm the authenticity of the abovementioned Corpus Donation.
Ans. A major part of the donations that were claimed exemption u/s 11(1)(d) were
not-genuine. The donation received in F.Ys. 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 were
genuine Corpus Donation received either from the Trustees or persons who were
close to the Trustees or persons who were close to the Trustees. In F.Ys. 2011-12
and 2012-13 a part of the donation were genuine like the earlier years. However, a
major part of the donations received in these two F.Ys. viz. 2011-12 and 2012-13,
shown as Corpus Donation, were in the nature of accommodation entries to
facilitate two things-
(a) To procure loans from the Bank we had to show substantial amount of Capital
Reserve in our Balance Sheet.
(b) We require funds for the expansion of our college. The fees received from the
students along with genuine donations from the Trustees and their contacts were
not sufficient to run the institution.
Q.12. Why are you saying that a major part of the donations received were not
genuine?
Ans. In those cases, which I admit as accommodation entries, a part of the donation
received was returned back to the donors through intermediaries.
Q. 13. Who were the intermediaries and what were the modes of returning the
money?
Ans. We were instructed to transfer funds through RTGS to the following seven (7)
persons:
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1. Santwana Syndicate
2. P.C. Sales Corporation
3. Kalyani Enterprises
4. Riya Enterprises
5. Laxmi Narayan Traders
6. Hanuman Traders
7. Rani Sati Trade-cum-Pvt. Limited
These payments were booked as capital expenditure under the head Building.
Q. 14. In response to the earlier question you have stated that you were "instructed".
Who gave you the instruction?
Ans. I can remember only one name right now, that is Shri Gulab Pincha, Mob No.
9831015157. He was the key person for providing a large part of bogus donation
received which was immediately returned back to the different parties in the guise
of payments towards capital expenditure in building. We do now know any details
in respect of the donors on behalf of whom Shri Gulab Pincha acted as a middleman.
Shri Pincha provided us with the details of the donors, cheque of the donations,
letters of corpus donations etc. He also provided us with the names and bank a/c.
details of the seven (7) persons, mentioned in Answer 13 to whom money has to be
returned back through RTGS. He also collected the money receipts/80G
certifications on behalf of the donors.
Q. 19. The ledger copy for the period from 1-4-2014 to 4-9-2014 in respect of
"General Fund" of your trust having details of the donors is being shown to you to
identify the bogus donations along with bogus donors.
Ans. After going through the list of the donors appeared in such ledger it is
understood that the Donors whose names are written in capital letters under the
sub-head "Donation-13", "Donation-I" and "Donations-II" having total amount of
Rs. 6,03,07,550/- is bogus and out of which Rs. 5,96,29,973/- was returned back
through RTGS to the above mentioned seven (7) persons following the instructions
of the mediators."
5. On the basis of the material on record, the CIT came to the following conclusions:
"6.1. The intention of the legislature to grant registration u/ss 12AA and 80G, to
give the benefit u/s 11 to encourage medical relief to the poor and needy persons,
promote education among masses and support to the poor section of the society. But
time and again these provisions have been misused for personal need and for benefit
of trustees/members of the trusts and societies. Survey u/s. 133A conducted in the
case of assessee elaborates the nature and volume of transactions in the alleged
activities.
6.2. Looking at the volume and depth of the illegal activities performed and indulged
by the society to use the provisions of the I.T. Act providing support and
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encouragement to the organizations for doing the benevolent activities, assessee
society not only opened the pandora's box defying the sole benevolent purpose of
provisions as per the I.T. Act, but also challenged the cause of the constitutional
provisions by maintaining certain well-needed objectives as per the Act and
performing the reverse in reality.
6.3 Based on the facts and circumstantial evidences as discussed in Paras 1 to 5, it
can be inferred: -
(a) Assessee trust has received a sum of Rs. 1,23,87,550/- as bogus donation from
M/s. School of Human Genetics & Population Health and voluntarily offered as
income. SHG & PH has admitted their bogus transactions by filing application
before the Hon'ble Settlement Commission, Kolkata and through confirmation
filed.
(b) They have received bogus corpus donation not only from SGHG & PH but also
from various parties in different years.
(c) Society/Trust has grossly misused the provision of sections 12AA and 80G(5) (vi).
(d) They have violated the objects of the trust as converting cheque received through
corpus donation in cash beyond-the-objects. The society was found to be involved
in hawala activities.
(e) Corpus donation received is not voluntary, merely an accommodation entry and
fictitious.
(f) Activities of the trust are not genuine as well as not being carried out in
accordance with its declared objects. Assessee's case is covered within the 60th
limb of Section 12AA(3).
(g) Even ingenuine and illegal activities carried on by assessee through money
laundering do not come within the conceptual framework of charity vis-a-
vis activity of general public utility envisaged the Income Tax Act as laid down
in section 2(15)."
The CIT, therefore, invoked the provisions of section 12AA(3) of the Act and
cancelled the registration granted under section 12AA of the Act w.e.f. 1-4-2012.
Consequently, the approval granted to the Trust under section 80G of the Act was
also cancelled.
6. The matter was carried in appeal by the Trust by filing Income Tax Appeal
Nos.756 & 912/Kol/2016 before the Tribunal.
After considering the entire material on record, the Tribunal concluded as
under:
"13. We have given a very careful consideration to the rival submissions. It
is clear from the statements of Secretary and Treasurer of SHG and PH that
they were accepting cash and giving bogus donations. In the statement
recorded in the survey conducted in the case of SHG and PH on 27-1-2015,
it was explained that SHG & PH's source of income was the money received
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in the form of donations from corporate bodies as well as from individuals.
In the said statement it was explained that there were about nine brokers
who used to bring donations in the form of cheque/RTGS to SHG and PH.
The Donations received would be returned by issue of cheque/RTGS in the
name of companies or organization specified by the nine brokers. SHG and
PH would receive 7 or 8% of the donations amount. It was also stated in
such statement since the assessee was entitled to exemption u/s 80G and u/s
35 of the Act their organization was chosen by the brokers for giving
donations to SHG and PH as well as for giving donations by SHG and PH.
Till now the Assessee's name did not figure in the statement recorded on 27-
1-2015. However, pursuant to the Survey in the case of SHG & PH
proceedings for cancellation of registration u/s 12A of the Act granted to
them were initiated. In such proceedings, Smt. Samadrita Mukherjee Sardar
(in a letter dated 24-8-2015) had given a list of donations which were given
by them after getting cash of equivalent amount. It is not disputed that the
name of the assessee figures in the said list and the fact that SHG & PH to
the Assessee were against cash received from them in Financial Year 2012-
13 of a sum of Rs. 1,23,87,550/-. Even at this stage all admissions were by
third parties and the same were not binding on the Assessee. However, in a
survey conducted in the case of the Assessee on 24-8-2015, the Managing
Trustee of the Assessee admitted that it gave cash and got back donations.
We have already extracted the statement given by the Managing Trustee.
Even in the proceedings for cancellation of registration, the Assessee has not
taken any stand on all the evidence against the Assessee. In such
circumstances, we are of the view that the conclusions drawn by the CIT(E)
in the impugned order which we have extracted in the earlier part of the
order are correct and calls for no interference. It is clear from the evidence
on record that the activities of the Assessee were not genuine and hence their
registration is liable to be cancelled u/s. 12AA(3) of the Act, and was rightly
cancelled by the CIT(E). We therefore, uphold his orders and dismiss both
the appeals by the Assessee."
With this view, the appeals preferred by the Trust were dismissed.
7. The Trust being aggrieved, filed Income Tax Appeal No. 116 of 2018 before the High
Court. By its order dated 4-7-2018, following questions were framed as substantial
questions of law:
"(i) Whether the Tribunal and the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) were right in
law in directing the cancellation of registration of the Appellant granted under section
12AA to the Appellant Trust on the ground that the Trust had received bogus donation
from School of Human Genetics and Population Health?
(ii) Whether statement recorded in the course of survey under section 133A of the Act has any
probative or evidentiary value?"
8. It was submitted on behalf of Trust that it had received donations from various donors
and the Trust was under no obligation to verify the source of the funds of the donor or
whether those funds were acquired by performance of any unlawful activity. It was further
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submitted that the funds were applied for the purposes of trust and that there was no
evidence to suggest that those funds were applied for any illegal or immoral purposes or
that the Trust was a namesake and some other activities were being carried out.
9. After considering rival submissions, the High Court allowed the appeal with following
observations:
"On the basis of the evidence and the authorities cited before the adjudicating bodies
below, we say that the respondent revenue has not been able to establish the case so
as to warrant cancellation of the registration of the appellant trust under section
12AA(3) of the Act. The respondent also has not been able to prove any complicity
of the appellant trust in any illegal, immoral or irregular activity of the donors.
In that view of the matter, we answer the question (i) in the order dated 4th July 2018 in the
negative and in favour of the assessee. We have not found it necessary to go into the issue
raised in question (ii).
The order of cancellation of the registration of the trust is set aside. The respondent is
directed to restore its registration within three weeks of communication of this order.
However, this will not bar any action against the appellant in respect of any future activities.
The appeal is hereby allowed to the extent above."
10. In this appeal, we have heard Mr. N. Venkataraman, learned ASG in support of the
appeal and Mr. Rana Mukherjee, learned Senior Advocate for the Trust.
It is submitted by the learned ASG that the answers given to the questionnaire clearly show
a definite tendency on part of the Trust to return in cash, the donation it received from
several entities.
Mr. Mukherjee, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the Trust submitted that the
conclusions drawn by the High Court were quite correct and did not call for any
interference.
11. The answers given to the questionnaire by the Managing Trustee of the Trust show the
extent of misuse of the status enjoyed by the Trust by virtue of registration under section
12AA of the Act.
These answers also show that donations were received by way of cheques out of which
substantial money was ploughed back or returned to the donors in cash. The facts thus
clearly show that those were bogus donations and that the registration conferred upon it
under sections 12AA and 80G of the Act was completely being misused by the Trust. An
entity which is misusing the status conferred upon it by section 12AA of the Act is not entitled
to retain and enjoy said status. The authorities were therefore, right and justified in
cancelling the registration under sections 12AA and 80G of the Act.
12 The High Court completely erred in entertaining the appeal under Section 260A of the
Act. It did not even attempt to deal with the answers to the questions as aforesaid and
whether the conclusions drawn by the CIT and the Tribunal were in any way incorrect or
invalid.
In our view, this appeal, therefore, deserves to be allowed.
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13. Setting aside the judgment and order presently under challenge, we allow this appeal
and restore the order passed by the CIT and the Tribunal. No costs.”
In the above case before Hon’ble Supreme Court, the trust was registered u/s 12AA
of the 1961 Act vide order dated 06.08.2010 and it was also accorded approval u/s
80G(vi) of the 1961 Act, the survey u/s 133A of the 1961 Act took place on the entity
namely School of Human Genetics and Population Health, Kolkata , and SCN was
issued by CIT on 04.12.2015 proposing cancellation of registration . The CIT
cancelled registration u/s 12AA and 80G with effect from 01.04.2012 , as it
transpired that for financial year 2011-12 and onwards , the aforesaid tax-payers
was engaged in accepting bogus donation which were by way of accommodation
entries. The Hon’ble Supreme Court reversed the decision of Hon’ble High Court and
held that the aforesaid tax-payer completely misused the registration granted u/s
12AA and 80G of the 1961 Act and Hon’ble Supreme Court held that an entity which
is misusing the status conferred upon it by Section 12AA of the 1961 Act is not
entitled to retain and enjoy said status. The Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the
authorities were therefore, right and justified in cancelling the registration u/s 12AA
and 80G of the 1961 Act. Thus, in view of authoritative decision of Apex Court in
Batanagar Education and Research Trust(supra), this contention of the assessee that
registration u/s 12AA cannot be cancelled with retrospective effect stood rejected.
It will all depend based on evidence brought on record that since when the assessee
misused its status conferred u/s 12AA and 80G, accordingly the registration can be
cancelled with effect therefrom when the assessee started misusing its status
conferred u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act.
Thus, based on detailed reasoning as outlined above in my order in preceding para, I
am setting aside the order dated 29.03.2019 passed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) , Lucknow
cancelling registration u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f. 01.04.2006 and withdrawal of approval u/s
80G(5) of the 1961 Act and restoring the matter back to file of ld. Pr. CIT for
considering afresh issue of cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and withdrawal of
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approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act. Needles of say that ld. Pr. CIT shall give proper
and adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee in set aside remand
proceedings , and evidences/explanations submitted by assessee in its defense shall
be admitted by ld. Pr. CIT in the in the interest of justice and adjudicated on merits in
accordance with law. I order accordingly.
7. In the result, the appeal filed by assessee is partly allowed for statistical purposes. I
order accordingly.
Order pronounced in the open Court on .10.2021 at Allahabad
Sd/- 26.10.2021
[RAMIT KOCHAR]
ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
DATED: /10/2021
Annexure: Letter dated 10/2/2020 of Mr. Amresh Kumar Singh along with
envelop enclosed/Annexed.
Copy forwarded to:
1. Appellant –Jeevan Jyoti Charitable Trust, 162, Bai Ka Bagh, Allahabad, U.P.
2. Respondent – The Pr. CIT(Central), Lucknow, U.P.
3. Pr. CIT (Central), Allahabad/Lucknow(U.P.)
4. CIT, Allahabad, U.P.
5. CIT-DR –Allahabad, U.P.
By order
Assistant Registrar
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IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
BENCH :ALLAHABAD
BEFORE SHRI N. V. VASUDEVAN, VICE PRESIDENT
(THIRD MEMBER)
ITA No.73/ALLD/2019
Assessment Year :2007-08
M/s. Jeevan Jyoti Charitable Trust,
162, Lowther Road, Bai Ka Bagh,
Allahabad.
PAN : AAAJJ 4359 H
Vs. The Principal Commissioner
of Income-Tax (Central),
Lucknow.
APPELLANT RESPONDENT
Assesseeby
:
Shri. Gourav Bansal,CA
Revenue by
:
Shri. Ramendra Kumar,CIT(DR)
Date of hearing : 04.05.2022
Date of Pronouncement : 20.05.2022
O R D E R
The Hon’ble President vide order dated 31.1.2022 has nominated me as a Third
Member on the point of difference between the members of the division Bench, under
section 255(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (Act).
2. The appeal by the Assessee before the Tribunal was against an order dated
29.3.2019 passed by the Pr.CIT(Central) (PCIT) cancelling registration granted to the
Assessee u/s.12AA(3) w.r.e.f 1.4.2006 withdrawing approval granted to the Assessee u/s.
80G(5) of the Act, w.r.e.f. from the date on which the approval was granted i.e.,
13.10.2009. The Hon’ble JM took the view that registration u/s.12AA(3) and approval
u/s.80G(5) was rightly cancelled by the PCIT. The Hon’ble JM held that the
registration/approval can be cancelled only prospectively i.e., from the previous year in
which the Assessee sold the educational institutions and the activities of the Assessee
ceased to exist. The Hon’ble Accountant Member however took the view that the order
cancelling of registration u/s.12A and withdrawing approval u/s.80G(5) has to be set aside
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remand to the CIT(E) for consideration de novo. The Hon’ble AM also took the view that
the CIT(E) has powers to cancel registration with retrospective effect i.e., from the period
from which the Assessee infringes conditions subject to which registration u/s.12A is
granted and misuses the status of a registered trust. The Hon’ble Accountant member did
not uphold the order of PCIT withdrawing registration/approval u/s.12A and 80G(5) of the
Act with retrospective effect but set aside the order of the PCIT and remanded for de novo
consideration of the issue of cancellation of registration and withdrawal of approval
u/s.12AA(3) and 80G(5) of the Act, respectively. The reasons for setting aside the
impugned orders and remanding to the PCIT have been stated thus by the Hon’ble AM :
“It is pertinent to mention here that cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and
80G(5) of the 1961 Act as was done by Ld. Pr. CIT(Central) and that too with
retrospective effect has serious and wide ramifications/implications causing severe
prejudice to the tax-payer , thus it become all the more important that before
cancelling registration u/s 12AA(3) and 80G(5) of the 1961 Act , all the issues/aspects
which has bearing on continuation of registration u/s 12A and approval u/s 80G shall
be considered and confronted to the tax-payer by giving proper opportunity of being
heard in view of principles of natural justice, so that if so warranted based on facts
and circumstance of the case , a comprehensive order covering all aspects/issues
having bearing on cancellation of Registration u/s 12AA(3) and approval u/s 80G(5)
of the 1961 Act need be passed, covering all the instances of infringement of
conditions attached to registration u/s 12A. This would require detailed analysis of
the financial statements and the other relevant material by the authorities. The
assessee on its part is directed to file all relevant details and co-operate in the
proceedings, otherwise presumption will be drawn against the assessee. Reference is
once again drawn to provision of Section 114(g) of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Since, I am setting aside matter back to the file of ld. Pr. CIT for denovo determination
of the matter, the issue of multiple PAN and registration u/s 12A obtained by
assessee shall also be looked into by ld. Pr. CIT to see whether it was inadvertently
obtained or was any misuse of multiple PAN and registration u/s 12A was made or
attempted by assessee to derive undue benefits.”
3. There was a difference of opinion on the question framed projecting the point of
difference between the Hon’ble JM and the Hon’ble AM. At the time of hearing before me,
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the parties agreed that the following question, can be considered as reflecting the point
of difference between the Hon’ble JM and Hon’ble JM:
“Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the order passed by
ld. Principal Commissioner of Income-tax, Central, Lucknow cancelling registration of
the assessee u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f. 01.04.2006 and withdrawing approval granted u/s
80G with effect from 13.10.2009 is liable to be upheld but prospectively with effect
from the date when the assessee sold its educational institution and consequently
activities are claimed to have ceased to exist viz. financial year 2017-18(assessment
year 2018-19) , or is liable to be set aside to the file of ld. Principal Commissioner of
Income-tax for deciding afresh the entire issue of cancellation of registration u/s
12AA(3) and approval granted u/s 80G(5) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 retrospectively
from the date since when the assessee misused its status of charitable trust conferred
upon it by Section 12A of the Income-tax Act,1961?
4. I have heard both the parties. It is necessary for me to briefly give a background of
facts that led to the passing of the impugned order. The Assessee was granted registration
u/s 12A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called “the Act”), vide Commissioner of
Income-tax, Allahabad order registration number 1/98-99 dated 29.01.1999, and the
assessee was also granted approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act , vide orders dated
13.10.2009. The assessee was created on 01.04.1990 and as part of its educational
activities, it was engaged in running various institutions and schools, i.e.-
(i) Jyoti Hospital Nursing School
(ii) Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Paramedical Sciences
(iii) Jeevan Jyoti Public School
(iv) Ascent Institute of Management & Technology
5. There was a search and seizure operations conducted u/s 132 of the Act in the case
of the assessee along with other cases of the Jeevan Jyoti Group, on 29.05.2012 at the
registered office of the assessee at 162, Bai-ka-Bagh, Allahabad, U.P. Pursuant to search
and seizure operations, notices u/s 153A of the Act was issued by the Assessing Officer
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(AO). In response to the said notice, the assessee filed its return of income claiming
exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the Act. While assessment proceedings were in progress, the
assessee filed application before the Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC), New Delhi
on 24.02.2015, wherein additional income of Rs. 65,00,000/- was disclosed by the
assessee-trust for the assessment years 2007-08 to 2014-15, as detailed hereunder:
S.No. Assessment
Year
Additional
Income
declared
before ITSC
(In Rs.)
Tax Paid
(In Rs.)
1. 2007-08 10,00,000 6,31,000
2. 2008-09 10,00,000 5,94,000
3. 2009-10 10,00,000 5,57,000
4. 2010-11 10,00,000 5,20,000
5. 2011-12 10,00,000 4,83,000
6. 2012-13 5,00,000 2,25,000
7. 2013-14 5,00,000 2,07,500
8. 2014-15 5,00,000 1,80,000
6. So far as sources of the said additional income offered by assesse before ITSC, the
assessee has claimed that the said additional income offered by it in settlement application
filed before ITSC has arisen out of variety of sources, one such sources being donation
received from public at large. The assessee further claimed that these donations so
received by it were meant for construction of school building and other infrastructure as
also for other educational activities, and the same were directly invested in such activities,
without recording in the books of accounts of the appellant trust and such utilization in
educational activities were spread over in the Assessment Years : 2007-08 to 2014-15 and
worked out to be Rs. 65 lacs in aggregate. The Revenue on its part filed Report in Rule 9 in
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the case of the assessee before ITSC, and total additions to the income of the assessee to
the tune of Rs. 10,37,96,184/- were proposed by Revenue, as in view of Revenue the
assessee was not engaged in charitable activities, rather it was engaged in the business
activities for the benefit of its main trustees, namely Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr.
Vandana Bansal or entities related to the trustees.
7. The ITSC on its part passed an order dated 17.08.2016, u/s 245D(4) of the Act
abating the applications before ITSC and restored the proceedings back to the file of the
AO. The assessee filed Miscellaneous Application before ITSC against the order of ITSC
dated 17.08.2016, but the M.A. stood rejected by ITSC, vide order dated 20.01.2017,
passed u/s 245D(6B) of the 1961 Act by ITSC.
8. Thereafter, the AO completed assessment for ay: 2007-08 to 2014-15 and the
income assessed in the hands of the assessee for ay: 2007-08 to 2013-14, were to the tune
of 34,43,24,119/-, as detailed hereunder:-
S.No. Assessment
Year
Income
declared
(In Rs.)
Income
Assessed
(in Rs.)
Date of
Assessment
Order
Assessment
Order
passed u/s
1. 2007-08 Nil 51,95,230/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
2. 2008-09 Nil 2,81,70,980/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
3. 2009-10 Nil 1,40,62,700/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
4. 2010-11 Nil 2,25,97,490/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
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5. 2011-12 Nil 12,55,72,780/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
6. 2012-13 Nil 9,01,24,550/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with
Section
143(3)
7. 2013-14 Nil 5,86,00,389/- 08.08.2017 Section
143(3)
Total Nil 34,43,24,119/-
9. The assessee filed first appeal before ld. CIT(A) for all these ay’s , which stood
dismissed by ld. CIT(A), vide separate appellate orders all dated 10.07.2018, passed by ld.
CIT(A) for Assessment Years: 2007-08 to 2013-14. The assessee filed second appeal with
Division Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Allahabad, wherein tribunal restored
the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(A) for fresh adjudication, vide composite order dated
21.12.2018 passed by tribunal in ITA No. 322 to 328/Alld/2018 for Assessment Years :
2007-08 to 2013-14.
10. It is the aforesaid background of facts, the PCIT issued Show Cause Notice(SCN) for
cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) , dated 13/18.07.2017. After considering the reply
of the assessee to the show cause notice, the PCIT passed the order dated 29.3.2019,
impugned in the appeal, cancelling registration granted to the assesee u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f.
01.04.2006 and withdrawing approval granted u/s 80G with effect from 13.10.2009.
11. Though number of instances have been cited by the PCIT in the impugned order for
cancelling registration, three reasons have been cited as principal reasons for cancelling
registration. The first reason was that the activities of the assessees are being carried out
for the benefit of the specified persons as given in section 13(3) and specifically the
trustees of the assessee trust as well as the concerns in which the trustees are having
substantial interest. The second reason given was that the assessee admitted in the
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application filed before ITSC that voluntary donation received from public have not been
accounted for in the books of accounts of the trust. Therefore, the surrender of this
amount of Rs. 65 Lac and offered to tax under section 115BBC led the Pr. CIT to reach the
conclusion that the assessee trust has earned unaccounted receipts, profiteering and
allowing the income of the trust for personal uses of the trustees. The third reason cited
by the PCIT was that the assessee trust has sold all its educational institutions and
consequently the activities of the assessee trust ceased to exist.
12. In the appeal filed by the assessee against the order of the PCIT, the Hon’ble JM
took the view that the surrender of a sum of Rs. 65 Lac and offered to tax under section
115BBC before the ITSC was not relevant to cancel registration granted to the assessee
because, so long as the trust was running educational institutions and imparting education
through the various institutions the main activity of the assessee trust remains charitable
in nature though there are certain violations on account of unanimous unaccounted
donations received by the assessee which were surrendered before the Income Tax
Settlement Commission and offered to tax under section 115BBC. Therefore, this is purely
a matter of assessment and does not fall in the ambit of the activities of the assessee not
being carried out in accordance with the objects of the assessees trust or the activities of
the assessee trust are not genuine.
13. With regard to the second ground for cancellation of the registration is cited by the
Pr. CIT viz., giving advance or transfer of fund by the assessee trust to the trustees namely
Dr. A.K Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd., the Hon’ble JM took
the view that the assessee has not disputed the transactions of advance to Dr. A.K. Bansal
and Dr. Vandana Bansal as these amounts of Rs. 13,20,26,382/- were transferred by the
assessee trust to Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Similarly, a sum of Rs. 1,35,74,790/- were also
treated as the benefit given to the trustees through the concerns in which they have
substantial interest. The assessee has not disputed these transactions of transfer of funds
or advance given to the trustees. However, the explanation of the assessee was that the
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assessee trust has received loans and advances from those concerns which is more than
the repayment amount as cited by the PCIT. the Hon’ble JM held that there are loan and
advances received by the assessee trust from the group concerns in which the trustees of
the assessee trust were having substantial interest and the details of the amount of loans
and advances received by the trust as per the balance-sheet as on 31
st
March, 2013 as
under:-
Jyoti Mediservices Limited Rs. 82,30,350/-
NavjeevanPediatrics Pvt Ltd Rs. 49,42,061/-
Vandana Women Hospital Rs. 11,90,000/-
Total Rs. 1,43,62,411/-
The Hon’ble JM therefore held that it was a matter of record that the assessee trust
received loan and advance from the group concerns total amounting to Rs. 1,43,62,411/-
which were subsequently repaid by the assessee to the tune of Rs. 1,35,74,709/-.
Therefore, the payment made by the assessee to that extent is nothing but repayment of
earlier loan and advances and this would not even amount to violation of provisions of
section 11(5) or 13 of the Income Tax Act. Therefore, these transactions cannot be
regarded as the activities of the assessee are only for the benefit of the trustees of the
assessee trust. On the PCIT action in making reference to the fact that the assessee sold
the Jeevan Jyoti Public School and Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School in the month of September,
2017 and the sale proceeds were utilized for repayment of outstanding bank loans of the
group concerns in which the trustees are having substantial interest and consequently it
violates the conditions of section 11(3). Though the assessee has contended that
repayment of the loan utilized for the construction of the building of these educational
institutions is nothing but application of the income / fund for charitable purpose however,
even if the assessee has violated the provisions of section 11(3) the consequences of the
same would be that the said amount would not be eligible for exemption under section 11
and 12 of the Income Tax Act and will be assessed to tax. Therefore, the Hon’ble JM held
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that the this is again a subject matter of assessment and cannot be regarded as the
activities of the assessee are not genuine or are not being carried out in accordance with
the objects of the assessee trust. Therefore, to the extent of these transactions and
incidents as discussed above, the Hon’ble JM held that these transactions would fall in the
ambit of section 12AA(3) of the Income Tax Act so as to invite the cancellation of
registration.
14. However, the Hon’ble JM held that when the assessee has sold all its educational
institutions in the year 2017 itself then it would amount to cessation of the charitable
activities of the assesse trust and therefore, the assessee trust would no longer be entitled
for the benefit of section 11 and 12 of the Income Tax Act. Once the charitable activity of
the assesseeare ceased to exist, the same would fall in the category that the activities are
not being carried out in accordance with the objects of the trust. Hence the undisputed
fact of sale of all the educational institutions by the assessee trust would definitely lead to
disentitlement of benefit under section 11 and 12 of the Act and consequently cancellation
of registration granted under section 12A of the Income Tax Act. In view of the above facts
and circumstances of the case, the Hon’ble JM upheld the order of cancellation of the
registration as well as granted under section 12A as well as approval granted under section
80G(5).
15. As regards the second issue whether the cancellation shall have with retrospective
effect w.e.f. 1.4.2006 as held by the Pr. CIT or would be retrospective, the Hon’ble JM held
relied on the decision of the Hon’ble Jurisdiction High Court in the case of ACIT vs. Agra
Development Authority (2018) 90 taxman.com 282 (All) 407 ITR 562(All) wherein it was
held in para 50 to 52 as under:-
“50. Then, there is nothing in the language of Section 12AA(3) of the Act that
may suggest registration of the assessee may be cancelled with retrospective
effect. The use of the words or have obtained registration at any time under
Section 12-a of the Act’ added by amendment w.e.f. 01.06.2010 only indicate
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that the Commissioner was vested with the power to cancel a registration
that may have been granted to an assessee at any time prior to the aforesaid
amendment itself. However, it does not indicate that thereby the
Commission had been empowered to cancel the registration of the assessee
with retrospective effect i.e. with effect from a date prior to the date of
issuance of the order/notice to cancel the registration.
51. Clearly, the act of cancellation of registration has serious civil
consequences. In absence of any legislative intent expressed to suggest that
the legislature had empowered the Commissioner to cancel the assessee’s
registration under Section 12-A of the Act with retrospective effect, such
power could not be deemed to exist or arise or be exercised to unsettle
closed/part transactions especially because in this case the ground for
cancellation has not arising out of allegation of fraud, collusion or
misrepresentation.
52. Therefore, we are of the view that the cancellation of the assessee’s
registration under Section 12-a of the Act, if at all, could be done only
prospectively and not retrospectively as had been done by the Commissioner
in this case. Thus, question no.1 is answered in the negative that is in favour
of the assessee and against the revenue.”
16. He also referred to similar view expressed by the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court and
Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court rendered in the case of Oxford Academy for Career
Development Vs. CCIT (2019) 315 ITR 382 (All) in the case of Indian Medical Trust vs. Pr.
CIT 414 ITR 296 (Raj). Accordingly, the Hon’ble JM modified the order of the PCIT in so far
as the cancellation of the registration with retrospective effect from 1.4.2006 and
cancellation of the approval under section 80G w.e.f. 13.10.2009 and held that the
cancellation would be with effect from the previous year in which the assessee has sold
the education institutions and the activities of the assessee cease to exist and therefore
not being carried out in accordance with the objects of the assessee trust. In conclusion,
the cancellation of registration under section 12A as well as withdrawal of approval under
section 80G(5) were upheld but with effect from the financial year in which the activity of
the assessee ceased to exist.
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17. The Hon’ble AM took the view in paragraph 5.2 of his order that he differs from the
decision of the Hon’ble JM for the reason that the matter needs to be set aside and
resorted to the file of the PCIT for denovo consideration of issue of cancellation of
registration u/s.12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval u/s.80G(5) of the Act. The first reason
given by him for doing so are that in the application filed by the assessee before the ITSC
it had admitted receipt of donations but in assessment proceedings as well as in the
proceedings for cancellation of registration u/s.12AA(3), the assessee did not provide
details of donations or sums received but to prove its genuineness, like name and address
of the person, purpose of donation etc. According to the Hon’ble AM there is evidence of
the assessee having received, from FY 2006-07 onwards, large sums of money towards,
donations, corpus funds, building fund, Development fund etc., which stood credited in its
books of accounts. Educational institutions in India illegally demand capitation fee and
other forced amount of money by way of corpus fund, building fund, development fund,
donations etc., from students/parents of students, while admitting students in the
institution. These receipts are illegal causing wreckage and very fundamental of education
system in our country. Therefore, the matter should be set aside for de novo consideration
by the PCIT. The Hon’ble AM further directed the assessee to provide the relevant details
of the donations and all other sums so received in the form of building fund, corpus fund,
development fund, donations etc., to prove that these are genuine receipts, and are
neither bogus nor have any nexus/co-relation with the admission of students i the
institutions run by the assessee. He also directed the PCIT to verify whether there exists
any nexus of these receipts with the admission of students in the institution run by the
Assessee and also whether the fees charged by institutions, run by assessee is in accord
with the fees approved by Government.
18. The second reason given by the Hon’ble AM for setting aside the matter to the PCIT
for de novo consideration is on the aspect of Advances/loans given to the Trustees by the
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Trust through Jyothi Hospital. The conclusions of the Hon’ble AM on this aspect was as
follows:
“It is also one of the contentions of the Revenue that the assessee has given advance
of Rs. 89,50,000/- to Dr. A K Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private Limited , and an
advance of Rs. 46,24,790/- to Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private
Limited, which evidences that the trust is diverting funds for the benefits of the
trustee. It is also the grievance of Revenue that in ay: 2011-12, on several occasions,
Jyoti Hospital Nursing School made payment to trustee’s company as under:-
Rs. 13,00,000/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. (amount transferred)
Rs. 20,26,382/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd.(amount advanced)
It is contended by Revenue that from the above facts it is evident that the trust is
diverting fund for the benefits of trustees or related entities of the trustees and hence
the activities of the trust are not being genuinely carried as per the objects of the trust
and also violating the conditions of clause (ii) of 80G(5). The assessee has given a
balled and general statement before the Bench that from the other group entities ,
the sum received by assessee was higher and hence there is no net amount advanced
by the assessee to trustee. This arguments is also fallacious, as every entity is a
separate entity and hence all the transactions with inter-related parties who are hit
by Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act are to be separately explained vis-à-vis-
reference to books of accounts and flow of money. The assessee has claimed itself to
be a charitable entity and there is a prohibition that trustees and their relatives,
concerns in which they or their relatives are interested shall not derive any benefit
from the charitable trust. Reference is drawn to Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961
Act. I have gone through the audited financial statements of the assessee for the
financial year 2006-07 to 2017-18, which are placed in paper book(s) at page 254 to
524 and 730-741, and I have observed that several transaction of substantial
amounts have been conducted by assessee, with Jyoti Hospitals Private Limited, Dr.
Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr Vandana Bansal. The assessee has claimed exemption
of income u/s 11 and 12 , by getting itself registered u/s 12A of the 1961 Act and
the onus is on the assessee to prove by cogent evidences that no benefit was derived
by trustees , their relatives or concerns in which they are interested etc. and
provisions of Section 13(2) and 13(3) are not hit, and merely making balled and
general statement is not sufficient nor is it sufficient to say that group entities have
advanced more sum of money to assessee than what is advanced by the assessee
to the trustees , their relatives or concerns in which trustees are interested , and
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hence consequently Section 13(2) and 13(3) are not hit. The onus is on the assessee
to bring on record cogent evidences in its defense. On the part of Revenue , it has
to do in-depth analysis of financial records and other relevant material to arrive at
decision whether or not any benefit was derived by trustees or their relatives or
entities associated with them to see whether there were or were not violation of
Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act and in case of violations consequences will
follow. The onus is on the assessee to bring on record all cogent material in
connection therewith in its defense , to explain all the transactions entered into by
it with its trustees, their relatives and /or entities associated/connected therewith,
as provided u/s 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act.”
(emphasis supplied)
19. The third reason given by the Hon’ble AM is the allegation with regard to the
diverting sale proceeds of assets of the trust for repayment of outstanding bank loans of
the trustee’s group concern and not utilizing the same for the betterment of charitable
objects of trust. According to the Hon’ble AM these allegations are serious allegations and
the onus was on the Assessee to bring on record cogent material in its defence.
20. On the question whether registration can be cancelled with retrospective effect,
the Hon’ble AM was of the view that in the light of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme
Court in the case of CIT(E) Vs. Batanagar Education and Research Trust, 129 Taxmann.com
30(SC). In that case the assessee trust enjoyed registration u/s.12A of the Act vide order
dated 6.8.2010. Consequent to a Survey u/s133A of the Act by the revenue on 24.8.2015,
it transpired that the trust did not carry out its activities in accordance with objects of the
Trust. A show cause notice u/s.12AA(3) of the Act for cancellation of registration was
issued by the CIT(E) dated 4.12.2015 and by an order dated 25.2.2016 the CIT(E) cancelled
the registration granted to the trust w.e.f 1.4.2012. On appeal by the Assessee to the
Tribunal against the said order, the Tribunal upheld the same. On appeal against the order
of the Tribunal, the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court reversed the order of the Tribunal. On
further appeal by the Revenue to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the order of the CIT(E) was
upheld and the order of the High Court was reversed.
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21. According to the Hon’ble AM, the above decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court has to
be read as conferring power on the revenue to cancel registration with retrospective effect
for the following reasons:
“In the above case before Hon’ble Supreme Court, the trust was registered u/s
12AA of the 1961 Act vide order dated 06.08.2010 and it was also accorded
approval u/s 80G(vi) of the 1961 Act, the survey u/s 133A of the 1961 Act took
place on the entity namely School of Human Genetics and Population Health,
Kolkata , and SCN was issued by CIT on 04.12.2015 proposing cancellation of
registration . The CIT cancelled registration u/s 12AA and 80G with effect from
01.04.2012 , as it transpired that for financial year 2011-12 and onwards, the
aforesaid tax-payers was engaged in accepting bogus donation which were by way
of accommodation entries. The Hon’ble Supreme Court reversed the decision of
Hon’ble High Court and held that the aforesaid tax-payer completely misused the
registration granted u/s 12AA and 80G of the 1961 Act and Hon’ble Supreme Court
held that an entity which is misusing the status conferred upon it by Section 12AA
of the 1961 Act is not entitled to retain and enjoy said status. The Hon’ble Supreme
Court held that the authorities were therefore, right and justified in cancelling the
registration u/s 12AA and 80G of the 1961 Act. Thus, in view of authoritative
decision of Apex Court in Batanagar Education and Research Trust(supra), this
contention of the assessee that registration u/s 12AA cannot be cancelled with
retrospective effect stood rejected. It will all depend based on evidence brought on
record that since when the assessee misused its status conferred u/s 12AA and
80G, accordingly the registration can be cancelled with effect therefrom when the
assessee started misusing its status conferred u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act.
Thus, based on detailed reasoning as outlined above in my order in preceding para,
I am setting aside the order dated 29.03.2019 passed by ld. Pr. CIT(Central) ,
Lucknow cancelling registration u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f. 01.04.2006 and withdrawal of
approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act and restoring the matter back to file of ld. Pr.
CIT for considering afresh issue of cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and
withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act. Needles of say that ld. Pr. CIT
shall give proper and adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee in set
aside remand proceedings , and evidences/explanations submitted by assessee in
its defense shall be admitted by ld. Pr. CIT in the in the interest of justice and
adjudicated on merits in accordance with law. I order accordingly.”
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22. I have heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the Assessee and the
learned DR. Their submissions were in support of the order of the learned JM and learned
AM, respectively. The submissions went to the extent of even questioning the validity of
the order passed by the CIT(E) u/s.12AA(3) of the Act. Section 255 (4) of the Act provides
as follows:
“(4) If the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the point
shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a
majority, but if the members are equally divided, they shall state the
point or points on which they differ, and the case shall be referred by
the President of the Appellate Tribunal for hearing on such point or
points by one or more of the other members of the Appellate Tribunal,
and such point or points shall be decided according to the opinion of
the majority of the members of the Appellate Tribunal who have heard
the case, including those who first heard it.”
23. As a third member, I have to confine myself to the point of difference between the
members who constituted the Division Bench. The point of difference is firstly on the
question whether the order of CIT(E) cancelling registration u/s.12AA(3) of the Act has to
be upheld as was the opinion of the Hon’ble JM or the impugned order has to be set aside
to the CIT(E) for examining de novo serious allegations made against the assessee and
calling upon the assessee to divulge all information to CIT(E) to enable CIT(E) to pass a
comprehensive order, as proposed by the Hon’ble AM. The second point of difference is
as to whether the registration granted u/s.12A can be cancelled with retrospective effect
as was opined by the learned AM or can be cancelled only prospectively, as was held by
the learned JM.
24. On the first point of difference, I may first refer to the provisions of Sec.12AA(3) of
the Act, which reads thus:
“(3) Where a trust or an institution has been granted registration under clause (b)
of sub-section (1) and subsequently the Commissioner is satisfied that the activities
of such trust or institution are not genuine or are not being carried out in accordance
with the objects of the trust or institution, as the case may be, he shall pass an order
in writing cancelling the registration of such trust or institution:
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Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be passed unless such
trust or institution has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.”
25. The above provision was inserted by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 w.e.f. 1.10.2004.
The scope of the power under the aforesaid provision is limited to only cancellation of
registration granted u/s.12A. The learned AM has not expressed opinion that the facts
brought out in the impugned order are incorrect or insufficient to cancel registration
granted u/s.12A of the Act and that further probe is necessary to bring out facts so that a
comprehensive order can be passed covering all aspects. I am of the view that the
conclusion of the learned JM that because of sale of the educational institution in the year
2017, the assessee can no longer be considered as trust existing for the purpose of carrying
out charitable activities and hence not entitled to the benefits of Sec.11 and 12 of the Act,
is sufficient to uphold the impugned order of the CIT(E) and no useful purpose will be
served by bringing in facts on the other conclusions in the impugned order of the CIT(E)
viz., receipt of bogus donations and use of trust funds for the personal benefit of the
trustees. As I have already stated the scope of the powers u/s.12AA(3) of the Act are
limited and even if on one ground the order is sustained, there is no necessity to go into
other grounds on which the grant of registration was cancelled by the CIT(E). Therefore,
no purpose will be served by setting aside the order and remanding the same to CIT(E) to
pass a more comprehensive order. The apprehensions expressed by the learned AM in his
order are all matters which may not be germane to the question of cancellation of
registration as the cancellation of registration is upheld on one ground viz., sale of the very
institution which was to carry out the charitable activities. In this regard, the main aspect
which has to be taken note of is the principle that the grant of registration u/s12A of the
Act, does not automatically enable an assessee to claim exemption u/s 11 & 12 of the Act.
The AO even in a case, where a trust or charitable organization for which registration u/s
12A of the Act subsists has to go in to the question, as to whether the income has been
applied for charitable purposes and to the extent contemplated by Sec.11 & 12 of the Act.
Even in a case, where the trust or charitable organization applies its income for charitable
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purposes, but does not have registration u/s 12A of the Act, such trust or charitable
organization cannot claim the benefit of Sec.11 & 12 of the Act. The apprehensions
expressed by the learned AM have to be addressed or looked into in accordance with law
and the parties should be left to explore remedies open to the them in law. Therefore, I
agree with the learned JM that the impugned order cancelling registration has to be upheld
and there is no necessity to set aside the impugned order and remand the issue for de
novo examination by the CIT(E).
26. On the question whether the registration already granted can be cancelled
retrospectively, I find that the decisions referred to by the Hon’ble JM rendered by the
Hon’ble Allahabad High Court in the case of Agra Development Authority (supra) and the
Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court in the case of Indian Medical Trust Vs. PCIT (supra) are
decisions rendered in cases where the question before the Hon’ble Court was as to
whether registration granted u/s.12A of the Act can be cancelled u/s.12AA(3) of the Act,
with retrospective effect. The Hon’ble Courts have expressed the view that u/s.12AA of
the Act, registration granted cannot be cancelled with retrospective effect. The learned
AM has however placed reliance on decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT(E)
Vs. Batanagar Education and Research Trust (supra). In that case as we have already
noticed, the Assessee trust enjoyed registration u/s.12A of the Act vide order dated
6.8.2010. Consequent to a Survey u/s133A of the Act by the revenue on 24.8.2015, it
transpired that the trust did not carry out its activities in accordance with objects of the
Trust. A show cause notice u/s.12AA(3) of the Act for cancellation of registration was
issued by the CIT(E) dated 4.12.2015 and by an order dated 25.2.2016 the CIT(E) cancelled
the registration granted to the trust w.e.f 1.4.2012. It is no doubt true that in that case
the registration was cancelled with retrospective effect. The question whether
registration granted can be cancelled with retrospective effect was never an issue, as the
Assessee in that case never challenged or contended that registration cannot be cancelled
with retrospective effect. Therefore it cannot be said that the ratio laid down in the
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aforesaid decision is to the effect u/s.12AA(3) of the Act, registration granted can be
cancelled with retrospective effect. Ratio Decidendi ordinarily means the ‘reason for
deciding’ the case. It must come from disputes of law, not disputes of fact. Ratio Decidendi
must be argued in court and the facts of the precedent case shape the level of generality
to which the later courts decide the level of generality. The law in this regard is very clear
as would be evident from the observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court (in para 37 of its
judgment) in the case of Commissioner of Income-Tax vs M/s. Sun Engineering Works (P.)
Ltd. 1992 Supp 1 SCR 732
“.....It is neither desirable nor permissible to pick out a word or a
sentence from the judgment of this Court, divorced from the context
of the question under consideration and treat it to be the complete
'law' declared by this Court. The judgment must be read as a whole
and the observations from the judgment have to be considered in the
light of the questions which were before this Court. A decision of this
Court takes its colour from the questions involved in the case in which
it is rendered and while applying the decision to a later case, the courts
must carefully try to ascertain the true principle laid down by the
decision of this Court and not to pick out words or sentences from the
judgment, divorced from the context of the questions under
consideration by this Court, to support their reasonings. In Madhav
Rao Jiwaji Rao Scindia Bahadur and Ors. v. Union of India this Court
cautioned:
It is not proper to regard a word, a clause or a sentence occurring in
a judgment of the Supreme Court, divorced from its context, as
containing a full exposition of the law on a question when the question
did not even fall to be answered in that judgment....”
27. I, therefore, agree with the view of the learned JM that under section 12AA(3) of
the Act, registration granted under section 12A of the Act cannot be cancelled with
retrospective effect.
28. The appeal will now be listed before the Division Bench for passing orders in
accordance with the majority opinion.
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Pronounced in the open court on the date mentioned on the caption page.
Sd/-
Bangalore,
Dated: 20.05.2022.
/NS/*
Copy to:
1. Appellants 2. Respondent
3. CIT 4. CIT(A)
5. DR 6. Guard file
By order
Assistant Registrar,
ITAT, Bangalore.
(G. MANJUNATHA) (N. V. VASUDEVAN)
Accountant Member Vice President
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IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
ALLAHABAD BENCH, ALLAHABAD
BEFORE SHRI.VIJAY PAL RAO, JUDICIAL MEMBER
AND
SHRI. RAMIT KOCHAR, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER
ITA No.73/ALLD/2019
Assessment Years: 2007-08
Jeevan Jyoti Charitable Trust,
162, Bai Ka Bagh, Allahabad, U.P.
TAN/PAN: AAATJ4359H
v. Pr. Commissioner of Income
Tax, Central, Lucknow
(Appellant) (Respondent)
Appellant by: Sh. Gaurav Bansal, C.A.
Respondent by: Sh. Ramendra Kumar Vishwakarma, CIT DR
Date of hearing: 03.06.2022
Date of
pronouncement:
03.06.2022
ORDER GIVING EFFECT OF THIRD MEMBER
VIJAY PAL RAO, JUDICIAL MEMBER:
This appeal by the assessee is directed against the order dated 29
th
March, 2019
passed by the Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow) under section 12AA(3) and Section 80G(5) of
the Income Tax Act. Though the assessee filed total thirteen appeals against the single
impugned order passed by the Pr. CIT (Central Lucknow) however, at the time of
hearing, the twelve appeals in ITA Nos. 74 to 85/Alld/2019 were de-clubbed and
tagged separately as those appeals were found not maintainable being repeated and
nonest appeals and dismissed by this Tribunal vide separate order dated 16.09.2021.
Accordingly the appeal in ITA No. 73/Alld/2019 is taken as an appeal against the
impugned order and the hearing was concluded by Division Bench on 15.09.2021.
2. Since, there was a difference of opinion between the Members of the Division
Bench as the Judicial Member took a view that registration under section 12A and
approval under section 80G(5) was rightly cancelled by the Pr. CIT(E) however, the
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cancellation of registration / approval would be treated only prospectively i.e. from
the previous year in which the assessee sold the educational institutions and the
activity of the assessee ceased to exist. Learned Accountant Member, however, took a
view that the order cancelling the registration under section 12A and withdrawing
approval under section 80G(5) has to be set aside and the matter be remanded to the
record of the Pr. CIT(Exemption) for consideration de novo. The learned Accountant
Member also took a view that the Pr. CIT(Exemption) has powers to cancel registration
with retrospective effect i.e. from the date when the assessee infringes conditions
subject to which registration under section 12A was granted and misused the status
of the registered trust. Accordingly the question of difference was referred by the
Hon'ble President, vide order dated 31.01.2022 to the Third Member (Hon'ble Vice
President, Bangalore Zone, Bangalore). As the Members of Division Bench framed
separate question of difference the Hon'ble Third Member framed the question / point
of difference and decided the same vide order dated 20.5.2022 as under:-
“3. There was a difference of opinion on the question framed projecting the
point of difference between the Hon’ble JM and the Hon’ble AM. At the time of
hearing before me, the parties agreed that the following question, can be
considered as reflecting the point of difference between the Hon’ble JM and Hon’ble
JM:
“Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the order passed
by ld. Principal Commissioner of Income-tax, Central, Lucknow cancelling
registration of the assessee u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f. 01.04.2006 and withdrawing
approval granted u/s 80G with effect from 13.10.2009 is liable to be upheld but
prospectively with effect from the date when the assessee sold its educational
institution and consequently activities are claimed to have ceased to exist viz.
financial year 2017-18(assessment year 2018-19) , or is liable to be set aside to the
file of ld. Principal Commissioner of Income-tax for deciding afresh the entire issue
of cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and approval granted u/s 80G(5) of the
Income-tax Act, 1961 retrospectively from the date since when the assessee
misused its status of charitable trust conferred upon it by Section 12A of the
Income-tax Act,1961?
4. I have heard both the parties. It is necessary for me to briefly give a
background of facts that led to the passing of the impugned order. The Assessee
was granted registration u/s 12A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter called
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“the Act”), vide Commissioner of Income-tax, Allahabad order registration number
1/98-99 dated 29.01.1999, and the assessee was also granted approval u/s 80G(5)
of the 1961 Act , vide orders dated 13.10.2009. The assessee was created on
01.04.1990 and as part of its educational activities, it was engaged in running
various institutions and schools, i.e.-
(i) Jyoti Hospital Nursing School
(ii) Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Paramedical Sciences
(iii) Jeevan Jyoti Public School
(iv) Ascent Institute of Management & Technology
5. There was a search and seizure operations conducted u/s 132 of the Act in
the case of the assessee along with other cases of the Jeevan Jyoti Group, on
29.05.2012 at the registered office of the assessee at 162, Bai-ka-Bagh, Allahabad,
U.P. Pursuant to search and seizure operations, notices u/s 153A of the Act was
issued by the Assessing Officer (AO). In response to the said notice, the assessee filed
its return of income claiming exemption u/s 11 and 12 of the Act. While assessment
proceedings were in progress, the assessee filed application before the Income Tax
Settlement Commission (ITSC), New Delhi on 24.02.2015, wherein additional
income of Rs. 65,00,000/- was disclosed by the assessee-trust for the assessment
years 2007-08 to 2014-15, as detailed hereunder:
S.No. Assessment
Year
Additional
Income
declared
before ITSC
(In Rs.)
Tax Paid
(In Rs.)
1. 2007-08 10,00,000 6,31,000
2. 2008-09 10,00,000 5,94,000
3. 2009-10 10,00,000 5,57,000
4. 2010-11 10,00,000 5,20,000
5. 2011-12 10,00,000 4,83,000
6. 2012-13 5,00,000 2,25,000
7. 2013-14 5,00,000 2,07,500
8. 2014-15 5,00,000 1,80,000
6. So far as sources of the said additional income offered by assesse before
ITSC, the assessee has claimed that the said additional income offered by it in
settlement application filed before ITSC has arisen out of variety of sources, one
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such sources being donation received from public at large. The assessee further
claimed that these donations so received by it were meant for construction of
school building and other infrastructure as also for other educational activities,
and the same were directly invested in such activities, without recording in the
books of accounts of the appellant trust and such utilization in educational
activities were spread over in the Assessment Years : 2007-08 to 2014-15 and
worked out to be Rs. 65 lacs in aggregate. The Revenue on its part filed Report in
Rule 9 in the case of the assessee before ITSC, and total additions to the income of
the assessee to the tune of Rs. 10,37,96,184/- were proposed by Revenue, as in view
of Revenue the assessee was not engaged in charitable activities, rather it was
engaged in the business activities for the benefit of its main trustees, namely Dr.
Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal or entities related to the trustees.
7. The ITSC on its part passed an order dated 17.08.2016, u/s 245D(4) of the
Act abating the applications before ITSC and restored the proceedings back to the
file of the AO. The assessee filed Miscellaneous Application before ITSC against the
order of ITSC dated 17.08.2016, but the M.A. stood rejected by ITSC, vide order
dated 20.01.2017, passed u/s 245D(6B) of the 1961 Act by ITSC.
8. Thereafter, the AO completed assessment for ay: 2007-08 to 2014-15 and
the income assessed in the hands of the assessee for ay: 2007-08 to 2013-14, were
to the tune of 34,43,24,119/-, as detailed hereunder:-
S.No. Assessment
Year
Income
declared
(In Rs.)
Income Assessed
(in Rs.)
Date of
Assessment
Order
Assessment
Order passed
u/s
1. 2007-08 Nil 51,95,230/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
2. 2008-09 Nil 2,81,70,980/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
3. 2009-10 Nil 1,40,62,700/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
4. 2010-11 Nil 2,25,97,490/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
5. 2011-12 Nil 12,55,72,780/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
6. 2012-13 Nil 9,01,24,550/- 08.08.2017 153A read
with Section
143(3)
7. 2013-14 Nil 5,86,00,389/- 08.08.2017 Section
143(3)
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Total Nil 34,43,24,119/-
9. The assessee filed first appeal before ld. CIT(A) for all these ay’s , which
stood dismissed by ld. CIT(A), vide separate appellate orders all dated 10.07.2018,
passed by ld. CIT(A) for Assessment Years: 2007-08 to 2013-14. The assessee filed
second appeal with Division Bench of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Allahabad,
wherein tribunal restored the matter back to the file of ld. CIT(A) for fresh
adjudication, vide composite order dated 21.12.2018 passed by tribunal in ITA
No. 322 to 328/Alld/2018 for Assessment Years : 2007-08 to 2013-14.
10. It is the aforesaid background of facts, the PCIT issued Show Cause Notice
(SCN) for cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) , dated 13/18.07.2017. After
considering the reply of the assessee to the show cause notice, the PCIT passed the
order dated 29.3.2019, impugned in the appeal, cancelling registration granted to
the assessee u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f. 01.04.2006 and withdrawing approval granted u/s
80G with effect from 13.10.2009.
11. Though number of instances have been cited by the PCIT in the impugned
order for cancelling registration, three reasons have been cited as principal
reasons for cancelling registration. The first reason was that the activities of the
assessees are being carried out for the benefit of the specified persons as given in
section 13(3) and specifically the trustees of the assessee trust as well as the
concerns in which the trustees are having substantial interest. The second reason
given was that the assessee admitted in the application filed before ITSC that
voluntary donation received from public have not been accounted for in the books
of accounts of the trust. Therefore, the surrender of this amount of Rs. 65 Lac and
offered to tax under section 115BBC led the Pr. CIT to reach the conclusion that
the assessee trust has earned unaccounted receipts, profiteering and allowing the
income of the trust for personal uses of the trustees. The third reason cited by the
PCIT was that the assessee trust has sold all its educational institutions and
consequently the activities of the assessee trust ceased to exist.
12. In the appeal filed by the assessee against the order of the PCIT, the Hon’ble
JM took the view that the surrender of a sum of Rs. 65 Lac and offered to tax under
section 115BBC before the ITSC was not relevant to cancel registration granted to
the assessee because, so long as the trust was running educational institutions and
imparting education through the various institutions the main activity of the
assessee trust remains charitable in nature though there are certain violations on
account of unanimous unaccounted donations received by the assessee which
were surrendered before the Income Tax Settlement Commission and offered to
tax under section 115BBC. Therefore, this is purely a matter of assessment and
does not fall in the ambit of the activities of the assessee not being carried out in
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accordance with the objects of the assessees trust or the activities of the assessee
trust are not genuine.
13. With regard to the second ground for cancellation of the registration is
cited by the Pr. CIT viz., giving advance or transfer of fund by the assessee trust to
the trustees namely Dr. A.K Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal through Jyoti Hospital
Pvt. Ltd., the Hon’ble JM took the view that the assessee has not disputed the
transactions of advance to Dr. A.K. Bansal and Dr. Vandana Bansal as these
amounts of Rs. 13,20,26,382/- were transferred by the assessee trust to Jyoti
Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Similarly, a sum of Rs. 1,35,74,790/- were also treated as the
benefit given to the trustees through the concerns in which they have substantial
interest. The assessee has not disputed these transactions of transfer of funds or
advance given to the trustees. However, the explanation of the assessee was that
the assessee trust has received loans and advances from those concerns which is
more than the repayment amount as cited by the PCIT. the Hon’ble JM held that
there are loan and advances received by the assessee trust from the group
concerns in which the trustees of the assessee trust were having substantial
interest and the details of the amount of loans and advances received by the trust
as per the balance-sheet as on 31st March, 2013 as under:-
Jyoti Mediservices Limited Rs. 82,30,350/-
NavjeevanPediatrics Pvt Ltd Rs. 49,42,061/-
Vandana Women Hospital Rs. 11,90,000/-
Total Rs. 1,43,62,411/-
The Hon’ble JM therefore held that it was a matter of record that the assessee trust
received loan and advance from the group concerns total amounting to Rs.
1,43,62,411/- which were subsequently repaid by the assessee to the tune of Rs.
1,35,74,709/-. Therefore, the payment made by the assessee to that extent is
nothing but repayment of earlier loan and advances and this would not even
amount to violation of provisions of section 11(5) or 13 of the Income Tax Act.
Therefore, these transactions cannot be regarded as the activities of the assessee
are only for the benefit of the trustees of the assessee trust. On the PCIT action in
making reference to the fact that the assessee sold the Jeevan Jyoti Public School
and Jeevan Jyoti Nursing School in the month of September, 2017 and the sale
proceeds were utilized for repayment of outstanding bank loans of the group
concerns in which the trustees are having substantial interest and consequently it
violates the conditions of section 11(3). Though the assessee has contended that
repayment of the loan utilized for the construction of the building of these
educational institutions is nothing but application of the income / fund for
charitable purpose however, even if the assessee has violated the provisions of
section 11(3) the consequences of the same would be that the said amount would
not be eligible for exemption under section 11 and 12 of the Income Tax Act and
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will be assessed to tax. Therefore, the Hon’ble JM held that this is again a subject
matter of assessment and cannot be regarded as the activities of the assessee are
not genuine or are not being carried out in accordance with the objects of the
assessee trust. Therefore, to the extent of these transactions and incidents as
discussed above, the Hon’ble JM held that these transactions would fall in the
ambit of section 12AA(3) of the Income Tax Act so as to invite the cancellation of
registration.
14. However, the Hon’ble JM held that when the assessee has sold all its
educational institutions in the year 2017 itself then it would amount to cessation
of the charitable activities of the assesse trust and therefore, the assessee trust
would no longer be entitled for the benefit of section 11 and 12 of the Income Tax
Act. Once the charitable activity of the assessee are ceased to exist, the same would
fall in the category that the activities are not being carried out in accordance with
the objects of the trust. Hence the undisputed fact of sale of all the educational
institutions by the assessee trust would definitely lead to disentitlement of benefit
under section 11 and 12 of the Act and consequently cancellation of registration
granted under section 12A of the Income Tax Act. In view of the above facts and
circumstances of the case, the Hon’ble JM upheld the order of cancellation of the
registration as well as granted under section 12A as well as approval granted
under section 80G(5).
15. As regards the second issue whether the cancellation shall have with
retrospective effect w.e.f. 1.4.2006 as held by the Pr. CIT or would be retrospective,
the Hon’ble JM held relied on the decision of the Hon’ble Jurisdiction High Court in
the case of ACIT vs. Agra Development Authority (2018) 90 taxman.com 282 (All)
407 ITR 562(All) wherein it was held in para 50 to 52 as under:-
“50. Then, there is nothing in the language of Section 12AA(3) of the Act that may
suggest registration of the assessee may be cancelled with retrospective effect.
The use of the words or have obtained registration at any time under Section 12-
a of the Act’ added by amendment w.e.f. 01.06.2010 only indicate that the
Commissioner was vested with the power to cancel a registration that may have
been granted to an assessee at any time prior to the aforesaid amendment itself.
However, it does not indicate that thereby the Commission had been empowered
to cancel the registration of the assessee with retrospective effect i.e. with effect
from a date prior to the date of issuance of the order/notice to cancel the
registration.
51. Clearly, the act of cancellation of registration has serious civil consequences.
In absence of any legislative intent expressed to suggest that the legislature had
empowered the Commissioner to cancel the assessee’s registration under Section
12-A of the Act with retrospective effect, such power could not be deemed to exist
or arise or be exercised to unsettle closed/part transactions especially because in
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this case the ground for cancellation has not arising out of allegation of fraud,
collusion or misrepresentation.
52. Therefore, we are of the view that the cancellation of the assessee’s
registration under Section 12-a of the Act, if at all, could be done only
prospectively and not retrospectively as had been done by the Commissioner in
this case. Thus, question no.1 is answered in the negative that is in favour of the
assessee and against the revenue.”
16. He also referred to similar view expressed by the Hon’ble Allahabad High
Court and Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court rendered in the case of Oxford Academy
for Career Development Vs. CCIT (2019) 315 ITR 382 (All) in the case of Indian
Medical Trust vs. Pr. CIT 414 ITR 296 (Raj). Accordingly, the Hon’ble JM modified
the order of the PCIT in so far as the cancellation of the registration with
retrospective effect from 1.4.2006 and cancellation of the approval under section
80G w.e.f. 13.10.2009 and held that the cancellation would be with effect from the
previous year in which the assessee has sold the education institutions and the
activities of the assessee cease to exist and therefore not being carried out in
accordance with the objects of the assessee trust. In conclusion, the cancellation
of registration under section 12A as well as withdrawal of approval under section
80G(5) were upheld but with effect from the financial year in which the activity of
the assessee ceased to exist.
17. The Hon’ble AM took the view in paragraph 5.2 of his order that he differs
from the decision of the Hon’ble JM for the reason that the matter needs to be set
aside and resorted to the file of the PCIT for denovo consideration of issue of
cancellation of registration u/s. 12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval u/s.80G(5)
of the Act. The first reason given by him for doing so are that in the application
filed by the assessee before the ITSC it had admitted receipt of donations but in
assessment proceedings as well as in the proceedings for cancellation of
registration u/s.12AA(3), the assessee did not provide details of donations or sums
received but to prove its genuineness, like name and address of the person, purpose
of donation etc. According to the Hon’ble AM there is evidence of the assessee
having received, from FY 2006-07 onwards, large sums of money towards,
donations, corpus funds, building fund, Development fund etc., which stood
credited in its books of accounts. Educational institutions in India illegally
demand capitation fee and other forced amount of money by way of corpus fund,
building fund, development fund, donations etc., from students/parents of
students, while admitting students in the institution. These receipts are illegal
causing wreckage and very fundamental of education system in our country.
Therefore, the matter should be set aside for de novo consideration by the PCIT.
The Hon’ble AM further directed the assessee to provide the relevant details of the
donations and all other sums so received in the form of building fund, corpus fund,
development fund, donations etc., to prove that these are genuine receipts, and are
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neither bogus nor have any nexus/co-relation with the admission of students i the
institutions run by the assessee. He also directed the PCIT to verify whether there
exists any nexus of these receipts with the admission of students in the institution
run by the Assessee and also whether the fees charged by institutions, run by
assessee is in accord with the fees approved by Government.
18. The second reason given by the Hon’ble AM for setting aside the matter to
the PCIT for de novo consideration is on the aspect of Advances/loans given to the
Trustees by the Trust through Jyothi Hospital. The conclusions of the Hon’ble AM
on this aspect was as follows:
“It is also one of the contentions of the Revenue that the assessee has given
advance of Rs. 89,50,000/- to Dr. A K Bansal through Jyoti Hospital Private
Limited, and an advance of Rs. 46,24,790/- to Dr. Vandana Bansal through
Jyoti Hospital Private Limited, which evidences that the trust is diverting
funds for the benefits of the trustee. It is also the grievance of Revenue that
in ay: 2011-12, on several occasions, Jyoti Hospital Nursing School made
payment to trustee’s company as under:-
Rs. 13,00,000/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd. (amount transferred)
Rs. 20,26,382/- to M/s Jyoti Hospital Pvt. Ltd.(amount advanced)
It is contended by Revenue that from the above facts it is evident that the
trust is diverting fund for the benefits of trustees or related entities of the
trustees and hence the activities of the trust are not being genuinely
carried as per the objects of the trust and also violating the conditions of
clause (ii) of 80G(5). The assessee has given a balled and general
statement before the Bench that from the other group entities, the sum
received by assessee was higher and hence there is no net amount
advanced by the assessee to trustee. This arguments is also fallacious, as
every entity is a separate entity and hence all the transactions with inter-
related parties who are hit by Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act are
to be separately explained vis-à-vis- reference to books of accounts and
flow of money. The assessee has claimed itself to be a charitable entity and
there is a prohibition that trustees and their relatives, concerns in which
they or their relatives are interested shall not derive any benefit from the
charitable trust. Reference is drawn to Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961
Act. I have gone through the audited financial statements of the assessee
for the financial year 2006-07 to 2017-18, which are placed in paper
book(s) at page 254 to 524 and 730-741, and I have observed that several
transaction of substantial amounts have been conducted by assessee, with
Jyoti Hospitals Private Limited, Dr. Ashwani Kumar Bansal and Dr
Vandana Bansal. The assessee has claimed exemption of income u/s 11
and 12 , by getting itself registered u/s 12A of the 1961 Act and the onus
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is on the assessee to prove by cogent evidences that no benefit was derived
by trustees , their relatives or concerns in which they are interested etc.
and provisions of Section 13(2) and 13(3) are not hit, and merely making
balled and general statement is not sufficient nor is it sufficient to say that
group entities have advanced more sum of money to assessee than what is
advanced by the assessee to the trustees , their relatives or concerns in
which trustees are interested , and hence consequently Section 13(2) and
13(3) are not hit. The onus is on the assessee to bring on record cogent
evidences in its defense. On the part of Revenue, it has to do in-depth
analysis of financial records and other relevant material to arrive at
decision whether or not any benefit was derived by trustees or their
relatives or entities associated with them to see whether there were or
were not violation of Section 13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act and in case
of violations consequences will follow. The onus is on the assessee to bring
on record all cogent material in connection therewith in its defense, to
explain all the transactions entered into by it with its trustees, their
relatives and /or entities associated/connected therewith, as provided u/s
13(2) and 13(3) of the 1961 Act.”
(emphasis supplied)
19. The third reason given by the Hon’ble AM is the allegation with regard to
the diverting sale proceeds of assets of the trust for repayment of outstanding
bank loans of the trustee’s group concern and not utilizing the same for the
betterment of charitable objects of trust. According to the Hon’ble AM these
allegations are serious allegations and the onus was on the Assessee to bring on
record cogent material in its defence.
20. On the question whether registration can be cancelled with retrospective
effect, the Hon’ble AM was of the view that in the light of the decision of the Hon’ble
Supreme Court in the case of CIT(E) Vs. Batanagar Education and Research Trust,
129 Taxmann.com 30(SC). In that case the assessee trust enjoyed registration
u/s.12A of the Act vide order dated 6.8.2010. Consequent to a Survey u/s133A of
the Act by the revenue on 24.8.2015, it transpired that the trust did not carry out
its activities in accordance with objects of the Trust. A show cause notice
u/s.12AA(3) of the Act for cancellation of registration was issued by the CIT(E)
dated 4.12.2015 and by an order dated 25.2.2016 the CIT(E) cancelled the
registration granted to the trust w.e.f 1.4.2012. On appeal by the Assessee to the
Tribunal against the said order, the Tribunal upheld the same. On appeal against
the order of the Tribunal, the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court reversed the order of
the Tribunal. On further appeal by the Revenue to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the
order of the CIT(E) was upheld and the order of the High Court was reversed.
21. According to the Hon’ble AM, the above decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court
has to be read as conferring power on the revenue to cancel registration with
retrospective effect for the following reasons:
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“In the above case before Hon’ble Supreme Court, the trust was registered
u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act vide order dated 06.08.2010 and it was also
accorded approval u/s 80G(vi) of the 1961 Act, the survey u/s 133A of the
1961 Act took place on the entity namely School of Human Genetics and
Population Health, Kolkata , and SCN was issued by CIT on 04.12.2015
proposing cancellation of registration . The CIT cancelled registration u/s
12AA and 80G with effect from 01.04.2012 , as it transpired that for
financial year 2011-12 and onwards, the aforesaid tax-payers was
engaged in accepting bogus donation which were by way of
accommodation entries. The Hon’ble Supreme Court reversed the decision
of Hon’ble High Court and held that the aforesaid tax-payer completely
misused the registration granted u/s 12AA and 80G of the 1961 Act and
Hon’ble Supreme Court held that an entity which is misusing the status
conferred upon it by Section 12AA of the 1961 Act is not entitled to retain
and enjoy said status. The Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the authorities
were therefore, right and justified in cancelling the registration u/s 12AA
and 80G of the 1961 Act. Thus, in view of authoritative decision of Apex
Court in Batanagar Education and Research Trust(supra), this contention
of the assessee that registration u/s 12AA cannot be cancelled with
retrospective effect stood rejected. It will all depend based on evidence
brought on record that since when the assessee misused its status
conferred u/s 12AA and 80G, accordingly the registration can be cancelled
with effect therefrom when the assessee started misusing its status
conferred u/s 12AA of the 1961 Act.
Thus, based on detailed reasoning as outlined above in my order in
preceding para, I am setting aside the order dated 29.03.2019 passed by
ld. Pr. CIT(Central) , Lucknow cancelling registration u/s 12AA(3) w.e.f.
01.04.2006 and withdrawal of approval u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act and
restoring the matter back to file of ld. Pr. CIT for considering afresh issue
of cancellation of registration u/s 12AA(3) and withdrawal of approval
u/s 80G(5) of the 1961 Act. Needles of say that ld. Pr. CIT shall give proper
and adequate opportunity of being heard to the assessee in set aside
remand proceedings , and evidences/explanations submitted by assessee
in its defense shall be admitted by ld. Pr. CIT in the in the interest of justice
and adjudicated on merits in accordance with law. I order accordingly.”
22. I have heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the Assessee and the
learned DR. Their submissions were in support of the order of the learned JM and
learned AM, respectively. The submissions went to the extent of even questioning
the validity of the order passed by the CIT(E) u/s.12AA(3) of the Act. Section 255
(4) of the Act provides as follows:
“(4) If the members of a Bench differ in opinion on any point, the point shall be
decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority, but if the
members are equally divided, they shall state the point or points on which they
differ, and the case shall be referred by the President of the Appellate Tribunal for
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hearing on such point or points by one or more of the other members of the
Appellate Tribunal, and such point or points shall be decided according to the
opinion of the majority of the members of the Appellate Tribunal who have heard
the case, including those who first heard it.”
23. As a third member, I have to confine myself to the point of difference
between the members who constituted the Division Bench. The point of difference
is firstly on the question whether the order of CIT(E) cancelling registration
u/s.12AA(3) of the Act has to be upheld as was the opinion of the Hon’ble JM or the
impugned order has to be set aside to the CIT(E) for examining de novo serious
allegations made against the assessee and calling upon the assessee to divulge all
information to CIT(E) to enable CIT(E) to pass a comprehensive order, as
proposed by the Hon’ble AM. The second point of difference is as to whether the
registration granted u/s.12A can be cancelled with retrospective effect as was
opined by the learned AM or can be cancelled only prospectively, as was held by
the learned JM.
24. On the first point of difference, I may first refer to the provisions of Sec.
12AA(3) of the Act, which reads thus:
“(3) Where a trust or an institution has been granted registration under clause
(b) of sub-section (1) and subsequently the Commissioner is satisfied that the
activities of such trust or institution are not genuine or are not being carried out
in accordance with the objects of the trust or institution, as the case may be, he
shall pass an order in writing cancelling the registration of such trust or
institution:
Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be passed unless
such trust or institution has been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard.”
25. The above provision was inserted by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2004 w.e.f.
1.10.2004. The scope of the power under the aforesaid provision is limited to only
cancellation of registration granted u/s.12A. The learned AM has not expressed
opinion that the facts brought out in the impugned order are incorrect or
insufficient to cancel registration granted u/s.12A of the Act and that further
probe is necessary to bring out facts so that a comprehensive order can be passed
covering all aspects. I am of the view that the conclusion of the learned JM that
because of sale of the educational institution in the year 2017, the assessee can no
longer be considered as trust existing for the purpose of carrying out charitable
activities and hence not entitled to the benefits of Sec.11 and 12 of the Act, is
sufficient to uphold the impugned order of the CIT(E) and no useful purpose will
be served by bringing in facts on the other conclusions in the impugned order of
the CIT(E) viz., receipt of bogus donations and use of trust funds for the personal
benefit of the trustees. As I have already stated the scope of the powers u/s.
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12AA(3) of the Act are limited and even if on one ground the order is sustained,
there is no necessity to go into other grounds on which the grant of registration
was cancelled by the CIT(E). Therefore, no purpose will be served by setting aside
the order and remanding the same to CIT(E) to pass a more comprehensive order.
The apprehensions expressed by the learned AM in his order are all matters which
may not be germane to the question of cancellation of registration as the
cancellation of registration is upheld on one ground viz., sale of the very institution
which was to carry out the charitable activities. In this regard, the main aspect
which has to be taken note of is the principle that the grant of registration u/s12A
of the Act, does not automatically enable an assessee to claim exemption u/s 11 &
12 of the Act. The AO even in a case, where a trust or charitable organization for
which registration u/s 12A of the Act subsists has to go in to the question, as to
whether the income has been applied for charitable purposes and to the extent
contemplated by Sec.11 & 12 of the Act. Even in a case, where the trust or
charitable organization applies its income for charitable purposes, but does not
have registration u/s 12A of the Act, such trust or charitable organization cannot
claim the benefit of Sec.11 & 12 of the Act. The apprehensions expressed by the
learned AM have to be addressed or looked into in accordance with law and the
parties should be left to explore remedies open to them in law. Therefore, I agree
with the learned JM that the impugned order cancelling registration has to be
upheld and there is no necessity to set aside the impugned order and remand the
issue for de novo examination by the CIT(E).
26. On the question whether the registration already granted can be cancelled
retrospectively, I find that the decisions referred to by the Hon’ble JM rendered by
the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court in the case of Agra Development Authority
(supra) and the Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court in the case of Indian Medical Trust
Vs. PCIT (supra) are decisions rendered in cases where the question before the
Hon’ble Court was as to whether registration granted u/s.12A of the Act can be
cancelled u/s.12AA(3) of the Act, with retrospective effect. The Hon’ble Courts
have expressed the view that u/s.12AA of the Act, registration granted cannot be
cancelled with retrospective effect. The learned AM has however placed reliance
on decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT(E) Vs. Batanagar
Education and Research Trust (supra). In that case as we have already noticed,
the Assessee trust enjoyed registration u/s.12A of the Act vide order dated
6.8.2010. Consequent to a Survey u/s133A of the Act by the revenue on 24.8.2015,
it transpired that the trust did not carry out its activities in accordance with
objects of the Trust. A show cause notice u/s.12AA(3) of the Act for cancellation
of registration was issued by the CIT(E) dated 4.12.2015 and by an order dated
25.2.2016 the CIT(E) cancelled the registration granted to the trust w.e.f 1.4.2012.
It is no doubt true that in that case the registration was cancelled with
retrospective effect. The question whether registration granted can be cancelled
with retrospective effect was never an issue, as the Assessee in that case never
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challenged or contended that registration cannot be cancelled with retrospective
effect. Therefore it cannot be said that the ratio laid down in the aforesaid
decision is to the effect u/s. 12AA(3) of the Act, registration granted can be
cancelled with retrospective effect. Ratio Decidendi ordinarily means the ‘reason
for deciding’ the case. It must come from disputes of law, not disputes of fact. Ratio
Decidendi must be argued in court and the facts of the precedent case shape the
level of generality to which the later courts decide the level of generality. The law
in this regard is very clear as would be evident from the observations of the
Hon’ble Supreme Court (in para 37 of its judgment) in the case of Commissioner
of Income-Tax vs M/s. Sun Engineering Works (P.) Ltd. 1992 Supp 1 SCR 732
“.....It is neither desirable nor permissible to pick out a word or a sentence from
the judgment of this Court, divorced from the context of the question under
consideration and treat it to be the complete 'law' declared by this Court. The
judgment must be read as a whole and the observations from the judgment have
to be considered in the light of the questions which were before this Court. A
decision of this Court takes its colour from the questions involved in the case in
which it is rendered and while applying the decision to a later case, the courts
must carefully try to ascertain the true principle laid down by the decision of this
Court and not to pick out words or sentences from the judgment, divorced from
the context of the questions under consideration by this Court, to support their
reasonings. In Madhav Rao Jiwaji Rao Scindia Bahadur and Ors. v. Union of
India this Court cautioned:
It is not proper to regard a word, a clause or a sentence occurring in a judgment
of the Supreme Court, divorced from its context, as containing a full exposition of
the law on a question when the question did not even fall to be answered in that
judgment....”
27. I, therefore, agree with the view of the learned JM that under section
12AA(3) of the Act, registration granted under section 12A of the Act
cannot be cancelled with retrospective effect.
28. The appeal will now be listed before the Division Bench for passing orders
in accordance with the majority opinion.”
3. Now this appeal is listed before the Division Bench for passing the order in
accordance with majority opinion. Hon'ble Third Member concurred with the view of
the Judicial Member and thereby as per the majority view, the impugned order of the
Pr. CIT(Exemption) cancelling the registration granted under section 12A as well as
withdrawing approval under section 80G(5) is upheld but the cancellation would be
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with effect from the previous year in which the assessee sold the educational
institutions i.e. the previous year 2017-18.
4. In the result, the appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.
Order pronounced in the open Court on conclusion of hearing on 03.06.2022.
Sd/- Sd/-
[RAMIT KOCHAR] [VIJAY PAL RAO]
ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER
Dated: 03/06/2022
sh
Copy forwarded to:
1. Appellant
2. Respondent
3. CIT(A), Allahabad
4. CIT
5. DR
By order
Sr. P.S.