COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. SMT. VIJAYA SRINIVASAN
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on the ground of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the Revenue's counsel submitted that the appeal was not being pursued because the tax effect was less than the increased monetary limit of Rs. 1 Crore for appeals to the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect is found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the classification of gains from shares were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai (the Revenue) filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 16.06.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal concerned the assessment year 2006-07 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the classification of gains from the sale of shares. The assessee is Smt. Vijaya Srinivasan. The Revenue sought to challenge the ITAT's findings on whether shares held for a longer period should be treated as long-term capital gains and those held for a shorter duration as business income. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that shares held for a longer period are to be treated as investment resulting in long-term capital gains, and shares held for a shorter duration are to be considered as income from business. 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding that shares held for 30 days are short-term and those held for more than 30 days are long-term investments, and that this cannot be the yardstick to determine taxability under the head business, is perverse. 3. Whether the computation of income on profit from the sale of shares constitutes long-term capital gains or business income. The Revenue argued that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this threshold. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee regarding the merits of the case, only that their counsel appeared.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.145 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.145 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Smt.Vijaya Srinivasan ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 16.06.2014 made in ITA.No.103/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC assisted by Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Mr.R.Kumar JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.R.Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is directed against the order dated 16.06.2014 made in ITA.No.103/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2006-07. 3.The appeal was admitted on 15.04.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “i.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that share held by the assessee for a longer period is to be treated as investment resulting in long term capital gains and shares held for shorter duration was to be considered as income from business? ii.Is not the finding of the Tribunal perverse especially when it had held the shares held for a period of 30 days were to be treated as short term and for a period of more than 30 days were to be treated as long term investment and the same cannot be the yardstick to determine the taxability of income under the head business? and iii.Whether the computation of income on profit on sale shares constitute long term capital gains or business income?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2015 appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.145 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.145 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Vinay Singh vs. Union Of INDIAAllahabad · 21 Oct 2026
- M/S Aaradhyam Infrabuilders PVT LTD vs. State Of U.P. And AnotherAllahabad · 21 Oct 2026
- M/S Shivam Tiles House vs. State Of U.P. And AnotherAllahabad · 21 Oct 2026
- Imtiyaz Shaikh Z Chorlekar vs. Salman ShaikhBombay · 21 Oct 2026
- Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Thr Its Registrar Prashant S Amrutkar vs. Union Of INDIA Thr The Secretary And OthersBombay · 19 Oct 2026