Shyamlal Tandon v ITO [IT APPEAL NO.1774 (HYD.) OF 2012 dated 21.0.10214] – Hyderabad ITAT Background: The assessee, an individual, did not file his return of income for the AY 2003-04. From the information received from DDIT(Inv), it came to light that the assessee has earned capital gains, which were not disclosed, and consequently, within the meaning of S.147 of the Act, the AO, held the view that there was escapement of income chargeable to tax. Accordingly a notice under section 148 of the Act was issued. In response thereto, assessee filed return declaring ‘nil’ income. Assessment Proceedings During the course of assessment proceedings, it was submitted that the assessee, alongwith his father purchased a piece of land on 17.3.1978 for Rs.34,320. The assessee and his son had demolished the house standing on the above plot and gave the property for development. As per clause (4) of the development agreement, both the father and son were entitled to share the built up area on 50:50 basis in exchange of transfer of the land. However, neither the father nor the son have has declared any long term capital gains on transfer of the land in exchange for 50% of the built up area either in the year in which the development agreement was entered into, relevant to assessment year 2001-02 or in the relevant assessment year in which transfer of 50% of the land and building took place. According to the AO, the long term capital gain worked out to Rs.55,75,661 of which the assessee’s share came to Rs.27,87,831, which was assessable to tax in the assessment year 2001-02.