THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. B.L.RAMSISARIA

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ITA/79/2002HC Punjab & HaryanaPHHC01049483200231 March 20162 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal as not pressed. The Revenue's counsel submitted that due to CBDT circulars (Circular No. 21/2015 dated 10.12.2015 and Circular No. 279/Misc/M-142/2007-ITJ (Part) dated 8.3.2016), the appeal was not being pressed as the tax effect was less than ₹20 lacs. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to file an application for revival of the appeal if something survived. The Court clarified that the withdrawal of the appeal by the Revenue would not be taken as an affirmation of the Tribunal's order on merits, and the legal issue was left open to be adjudicated in an appropriate case. No finding was given on the merits of the substantial questions of law.

What were the facts?

The appeal was filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula (Revenue) against the order dated 03.10.2001 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chandigarh Bench. The ITAT's order pertained to ITA Nos. 159, 160, and 161/Chandi/94 for the assessment year 1992-93. The dispute involved the taxability of an amount received by the assessee, Sh. B.L. Ramsisaria, which the Revenue contended was taxable income. The Revenue challenged the ITAT's finding that the compensation was for loss of services and was a capital receipt, arguing it was a revenue receipt taxable as profit in lieu of salary.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances, the ITAT was correct in holding that the amount of compensation was paid for loss of services, when the assessee had voluntarily resigned and his services were not terminated by the employer. The Revenue argued that in case of voluntary resignation, the receipt cannot be compensation but a result of a new contract, and no restrictive covenant could have been imposed. 2. Whether, on the facts and circumstances, the ITAT erred in treating the compensation as a capital receipt, whereas it was a revenue receipt taxable as 'profit in lieu of salary' under Section 17(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue did not present arguments on these issues. The counsel for the appellant-revenue stated that in view of CBDT circulars, he did not wish to press the appeal due to the tax effect being less than ₹20 lacs.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 17(3)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

ITA No. 79 of 2002 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ITA No. 79 of 2002 (O&M) Date of Decision: 31.03.2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula .......Appellant Versus Sh. B.L. Ramsisaria ......Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BINDAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARINDER SINGH SIDHU Present: Mr. Yogesh Putney, Advocate for the appellant. RAJESH BINDAL,J. This appeal has been filed under Section 260 A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short 'the Act'), against the order dated 3.10.2001 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench (B), in ITA No.159, 160 and 161/Chandi/94, for the assessment year 1992-93, raising the following substantial questions of law: (i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the ITAT was right in law in holding that amount of compensation was paid for loss of services, when the assessee has himself resigned voluntarily, the services of the assessee were not terminated by the employer. Since, it was a case of voluntary resignation, the receipts cannot be said to be on account of any compensation, but on account of a contract again entered into by the assessee of his own volition. In the case of voluntary resignation, no restrictive covenant could have been imposed on the assessee by the employer? REEMA SAINI 2016.04.06 10:24 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court, Chandigarh

ITA No. 79 of 2002 (O&M) -2- (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT have erred in law in treating the compensation as capital receipt; whereas the same was a revenue receipt and was taxable as “profit in lieu of salary” u/s 17(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? Learned counsel for the appellant-revenue submitted that in view of circular No.21/2015 dated 10.12.2015 read with circular No.279/Misc/M-142/2007-ITJ (Part) dated 8.3.2016, issued by Central Board of Direct Taxes, he does not wish to press the present appeal, as the tax effect involved is less than ` 20 lacs. However, he prays that liberty be granted to the revenue to file an application for revival of the appeal in case something survives therein. Dismissed as not pressed with liberty as prayed for. It is however, clarified that withdrawal of the appeal by the revenue shall not be taken as affirmation of order of the Tribunal on merits. The legal issue as claimed by the revenue is left open to be adjudicated in an appropriate case. (RAJESH BINDAL)

JUDGE (HARINDER SINGH SIDHU) 31.03.2016 JUDGE reema REEMA SAINI 2016.04.06 10:24 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court, Chandigarh

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