COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH TAX vs. SUBODHCHANDRA CHATURBHUJDAS

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WTR/35/1985HC GujaratGJHC24012571198522 February 2001Author: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE J.M.PANCHAL,HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHIT S. SHAH3 pages

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What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that the question referred to it should be answered in the affirmative, in favour of the assessee and against the revenue. The Court's reasoning is based on the Supreme Court's decision in Commissioner of Wealth-Tax vs. Sharvan Kumar Swarup & Sons (1994) 210 ITR 886. In that case, the Apex Court held that Rule 1BB, which came into force on April 1, 1979, prescribing the method for valuing a house used for residential purposes, provides a choice among well-settled modes of valuation and is procedural in nature. The Court further stated that procedural rules are generally applicable to pending cases, and a suitor does not have a vested right in procedure. Therefore, Rule 1BB was applicable to the assessment year 1976-77. The reference was disposed of accordingly.

What were the facts?

This case concerns a reference made by the revenue to the High Court of Gujarat regarding the assessment year 1976-77. The Wealth-tax Officer had passed an order under section 16(3) of the Wealth-tax Act, 1957. This order was challenged before the Appellate Assistant Commissioner, who set it aside and directed a fresh assessment, considering the provisions of Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules. The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal confirmed the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner. The revenue has now approached the High Court for its opinion on whether the Tribunal was correct in law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal was right in law in confirming the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner in setting aside the order of the Wealth-tax Officer passed under section 16(3) of the Wealth-tax Act, 1957, with a direction to frame a fresh assessment keeping in view the provisions of Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules? Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions for the assessee. The outcome suggests the assessee's position aligned with the Tribunal's confirmation of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner's order. Revenue's Contention: The revenue argued that Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules, 1957, could not be applied to the period prior to April 1, 1979, as it was introduced prospectively. The revenue relied on the principle that procedural law is generally applicable to pending cases and that no suitor has a vested right in procedure.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 16(3), Rule 1BB

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

WEALTH TAX REFERENCE No 35 of 1985

For Approval and Signature:

Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE J.M.PANCHAL and Hon'ble MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH

============================================================ 1. Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed : NO to see the judgements?

To be referred to the Reporter or not? : NO 3. Whether Their Lordships wish to see the fair copy : NO of the judgement?

Whether this case involves a substantial question : NO of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution of India, 1950 of any Order made thereunder?

Whether it is to be circulated to the Civil Judge? : NO -------------------------------------------------------------- COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH TAX Versus SUBODHCHANDRA CHATURBHUJDAS -------------------------------------------------------------- Appearance: MR AKIL KURESHI with MR MANISH R BHATT for Petitioner NOTICE SERVED for Respondent No. 1

--------------------------------------------------------------

CORAM : MR.JUSTICE J.M.PANCHAL and MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH

Date of decision: 22/02/2001

ORAL JUDGEMENT (Per : MR.JUSTICE M.S.SHAH)

In this reference at the instance of the revenue,

the following question is referred to us for our opinion in respect of assessment year 1976-77 :-

"Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal has been right in law in confirming the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner in setting aside the order of the Wealth-tax Officer passed under section 16(3) of the Wealth-tax Act, 1957 with a direction to frame the fresh assessment keeping in view the provisions of Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules ?"

At the hearing of the reference, Mr Akil Kureshi, learned counsel for the revenue submitted that the the provisions of Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules, 1957 could not have been applied to the period prior to 1.4.1979, as Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules was introduced prospectively and not retrospectively. Mr Kureshi, however, fairly states that the controversy is now concluded by the decision of the Apex Court in Commissioner of Wealth-Tax vs. Sharvan Kumar Swarup & Sons, (1994) 210 ITR 886, wherein the Apex Court has held as under :-

"Rule 1BB of the Wealth-tax Rules, 1957, which came into force on April 1, 1979, prescribing the method for valuing a house wholly or mainly used for residential purposes, merely provides a choice amongst well-known and well-settled modes of valuation. Even in the absence of rule 1BB, it would not have been objectionable, nor would there have been any legal impediment, to adopt the mode of valuation embodied in rule 1BB, namely, the method of capitalization of income on a number of years' purchase value. The rule was intended to impart uniformity in valuation and to avoid vagaries and disparities resulting from application of different modes of valuation in different cases where the nature of the property is similar.

Rule 1BB partakes of the character of a rule of evidence. It deems the market value to be the one arrived at on the application of a particular method of valuation which is also one of the recognized and accepted methods. The rule is procedural and not substantive and is application to all proceedings pending on April 1, 1979, when the rule came into force.

Procedural law, generally speaking, it applicable to pending cases. No suitor can be said to have a vested right in procedure."

In view of the above principle laid down by the Apex Court, we have no hesitation in answering the question in the affirmative i.e. in favour of the assessee and against the revenue.

The reference accordingly stands disposed of with no order as to costs.

(J.M. Panchal, J.)

(M.S. Shah, J.)

sundar/-

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