Reliance on statements of third party without giving the assessee the right of cross-examination results in breach of principles of natural justice

There has been a breach of principles of natural justice in as much as the Assessing Officer has in his order placed reliance upon the statements of representatives of M/s Inorbit and M/s Nupur to come to the conclusion that claim for expenditure made by the appellant is not genuine. Thus the appellant was entitled to cross examine them before any reliance could be placed upon them to the extent it is adverse to the appellant. This right to cross examine is a part of the audi altrem partem principle and the same can be denied only on strong reason to be recorded and communicated. The impugned order holding that it would have directed cross examination if it felt it was necessary, is hardly a reason in support of coming to the conclusion that no cross examination was called for in the present facts. This reason itself makes the impugned order vulnerable.