COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. DIAMOND SHIPPING AGENCI

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TCA/227/2018HC Madras28 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that the substantial question of law framed for consideration has already been answered against the revenue by a Division Bench of the same court in T.C.A.No.405 of 2016 dated June 21, 2016. This earlier decision was followed and affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Therefore, following the precedent set by the earlier judgment, the High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the revenue. The substantial question of law was answered against the revenue. No costs were awarded. The principle is that if a substantial question of law has been decided against the revenue by a coordinate bench and affirmed by the Supreme Court, a subsequent appeal on the same issue will be dismissed.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Ward-I, Tuticorin, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated October 16, 2017, passed by the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), 'D' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to Assessment Year 2014-15 and challenges the ITAT's decision concerning M/s. Diamond Shipping Agencies Pvt. Ltd. The core of the dispute revolves around whether a Container Freight Station qualifies as an inland port eligible for deduction under Section 80IA(4) of the Act. The High Court admitted the appeal on this substantial question of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether a Container Freight Station constitutes an inland port and is entitled to deduction under Section 80IA(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (Question of law) Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific arguments made by the assessee. The High Court notes that the substantial question of law has been answered against the revenue by a Division Bench of the same court. Revenue's Contention: The revenue does not dispute that the substantial question of law has been answered against them by a previous Division Bench of the High Court in T.C.A.No.405 of 2016 dated June 21, 2016. They acknowledge that this earlier decision was affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The revenue also refers to the fact that similar decisions by the Delhi High Court in the case of Container Corporation of India Limited were under challenge before the Hon'ble Apex Court.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 80IA(4)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.227 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 28.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.227 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Ward – I, Tuticorin. .. Appellant/Appellant -vs- M/s.Diamond Shipping Agencies Pvt. Ltd., A-4, Diamond House, Word Trade Avenue, Harbour Estate, Tuticorin – 628 004 PAN: AAACD 6487H .. Respondent/Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 16.10.2017 on the file of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.1693/MDS/2017 for the assessment year 2014-15. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by M/s.V.Pushpa, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.G.Baskar ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.227 of 2018 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal, filed by the appellant/revenue under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), is directed against the order dated 16.10.2017, passed by the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.1693/MDS/2017 for the assessment year 2014-15. 2.The above appeal was admitted on 12.06.2018 on the following substantial question of law:- “Whether Container Freight Station constitutes an inland port and is entitled to deduction under Section 80IA(4) of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 3.The revenue does not dispute the position that the Substantial Question of law framed for consideration has been answered against the revenue by the Division Bench of this Court in T.C.A.No.405 of 2016 dated 21.06.2016 [The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai vs. M/s.AL Logistics P. Ltd.]. The said appeal was dismissed following the earlier decision which decision was affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in paragraph No.4 of the judgment and the same has been noted, which is quoted herein below: 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.227 of 2018 “4.At the time when the instant Tax Case Appeal came up for admission, Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax fairly submitted that in the case of the very same assessee, in Tax Case Appeal No.1031 of 2014, between Commissioner of Income Tax and A.L.Logistics Pvt. Ltd) reported in (2015) 374 ITR 0609(Mad), the above substantial questions of law have been answered against the revenue, and the said decision is under challenge before the Hon'ble Apex Court in SLP(Civil) CC.No.9566 of 2015. He also submitted that the decision rendered by the Delhi High Court in Container Corporation of India Limited vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax & CIT, reported in (2012) 81 CCH 0087 DelHC and followed in the case of AL Logistics Pvt. Ltd., is also under challenge in Appeal (Civil) No.8900 of 2012.” 4.Following the above decision, the appeal filed by the revenue is dismissed and the substantial question of law is answered against the revenue. No costs. (T.S.S., J.) (V.B.S., J.) 28.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order cse 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.227 of 2018

T.S.SIVAGNANAM, J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN, J. cse To The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.227 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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