Sec. 69A additions upheld as assessee failed to prove that bedroom from where cash was seized belonged to his sister

Facts:

a) Search action was carried out at the residence of the assessee. During search, some unexplained cash was found and seized from bedroom of assessee's sister.

b) Assessee contended that cash received from the bedroom of sister belonged to his sister who came to stay with him few days back and, therefore, the same could not be included as unexplained cash in the hands of the assessee.

c) Assessing Officer (AO) did not accept the contention of the assessee and added entire amount of cash found as unexplained under section 69A.

d) CIT(A) and ITAT confirmed the order of AO. Aggrieved-assessee filed instant appeal before the High Court.

High Court held in favour of revenue as under:

1) Assessee failed to bring on any record that the bedroom was in exclusive possession of the sister. Even, there were contradiction in the statement of assessee recorded under section 132(4) and the affidavit of the sister.

2) Assessee had stated that out of amount found in cash, Rs. 2,50,000 lakh belonged to his sister whereas sister in her affidavit stated to had cash possession of Rs. 6,38,800 which was received by her from in-laws being Stridhan.

3) There were material contradiction in the statement of assessee and his sister with respect to ownership of actual amount in cash. Further no evidence was produced with respect to any share received from her in laws.

4) Therefore, seized cash was rightly included in income of assessee as unexplained money under section 69A. - [2017] 80 taxmann.com 175 (Gujarat)