By Ajay R. Singh, Advocate
12. PCIT – 33 vs. Synergy Infrastructures
[ITA No. 442 Of 2018, Dated: 28th June 2023. (Bom.) (HC).]
Bogus Purchase — The profit element embedded in such purchases should be added to the income of assessee — Question of fact — No substantial question of law arises.
The issue arose as to whether the ITAT is justified in confirming the action of the Ld. CIT(A) in restricting the addition to 12.5 per cent of the bogus purchase amount without appreciating the fact that assessee failed to substantiate the claim of genuineness of purchases?
The Hon'ble Court observed that there are plethora of judgments to the extent of ad hoc disallowances to be sustained with respect to the bogus purchases, what should be the percentage of the profit margin that has to be added to assessee’s income etc. Courts have held that these are issues which would require evidence to be led. Whether the purchases were bogus or parties from whom such purchases were made were bogus are essentially questions of fact.
The Court further observed that the AO in all fairness stated that the purchases by assessee, per se, are not the issue and these were not being treated as bogus. He also admits that the goods have entered into the assessee’s regular business. But AO says, assessee has not been able to give any convincing or cogent explanation as to how these goods happened to come in his possession and therefore, the purchases are not be