THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S BNT CONNECTIONS IMPEX LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on the grounds of low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which increased the monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No decision was made on the merits of the substantial questions of law. The operative direction was the dismissal of the appeal.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated March 20, 2014, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2009-10 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of a disallowance of interest made under Section 36(1)(iii). The amount in dispute is not explicitly stated, but the appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law. The High Court heard arguments from both the Revenue and the assessee, M/s. BNT Connections Impex Ltd.
What were the issues?
The High Court had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of interest made under Section 36(1)(iii)? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad, especially when it had deleted the disallowance of interest made under Section 36(1)(iii) when the assessee company itself was in need of funds and had to sell a property for paying outstanding dues, and there was no direct nexus between the borrowing and advances made? 3. Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of interest, especially when there was no compelling necessity for the assessee to advance interest-free loans out of borrowed funds, that too in unproductive investments? The Revenue argued that the Tribunal's finding was bad due to the lack of nexus between borrowing and advances and the assessee's need for funds. The Revenue also questioned the necessity of advancing interest-free loans from borrowed funds for unproductive investments. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee regarding these points, other than their counsel appearing before the court.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.216 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.216 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.BNT Connections Impex Ltd., No.41, K.K.R. Avenue, Moolakadai, Perambur, Chennai - 600 011. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 20.03.2014 made in ITA.No.1466/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.216 of 2015 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Sivaraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 20.03.2014 made in ITA.No.1466/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3.The appeal was admitted on 09.06.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of interest made under Section 36(1)(iii)? 2) Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when it had deleted the disallowance of interest made under Section 36(1)(iii) the assessee company itself was in need of fund and had to sell a property for paying the outstanding dues and there was no direct nexus between the borrowing and advances made? 3) Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of interest especially when there was no compelling necessity for the assessee to Advance interest free loans out of borrowed funds that too in unproduction investments?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.216 of 2015 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 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.216 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.216 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
More judgments on Section 36(1)(iii)
- Hcy Industrial Parks Private Limited, Mumbai vs Assessment Unit, Income Tax Department…ITA 1899/MUM/2026[2022-23]Status: Disposed1 Oct 2026AY 2022-23
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- Shah Brothers, West Singhbhum vs ACIT/DCIT, Cen Cir-1, RanchiITA 239/RAN/2026[2017-2018]Status: Disposed30 Sept 2026AY 2017-2018
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- Ami Industries, Surendranagar vs The ITO Ward 1, SurendranagarITA 148/RJT/2026[2017-18]Status: Disposed29 Sept 2026AY 2017-18
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