THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S CHOLAYIL PHARMACEUTICALS
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the appeals were not being pursued due to a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit of Rs.1 Crore for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court, as stipulated in CBDT Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing them to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the disallowance under Section 36(1)(iii) were not adjudicated by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed two appeals (TCA.Nos.258 and 259 of 2015) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. These appeals challenged a common order dated 18.11.2011 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The ITAT's order pertained to assessment years 2004-05 and 2005-06. The appeals were admitted on 16.06.2015. The dispute involves disallowance of interest on borrowed money advanced to a sister concern, M/s. Cholayil Pharmaceuticals P. Ltd. The amount in dispute for assessment year 2005-06 is stated as Rs.38,56,802/-.
What were the issues?
The High Court was to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances, the ITAT was correct in holding that the disallowance made under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on account of interest on borrowed money advanced to the sister concern, P&N Foods Pvt. Ltd., amounting to Rs.38,56,802/- for AY 2005-06, should be allowed? 2. Whether the ITAT's finding was proper in deleting the addition made under Section 36(1)(iii) on account of interest on borrowed funds advanced to a sister concern, especially when the assessee's business is not money lending or financial institution lending to others? The Revenue argued that the disallowance under Section 36(1)(iii) was justified. The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the judgment, but the ITAT's decision implies the assessee argued for the allowability of the interest expense. The Revenue's appeals were not pursued due to low tax effect as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.Nos.258 and 259 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 Nos.258 and 259 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Cholayil Pharmaceuticals P. Ltd., 1583, J Block, 15th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600 040. ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 18.11.2011 made in ITA.Nos.1304 and 1305/Mds/2011 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2004-05 and 2005-06. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC For Respondent: Ms.J.Sreevidhya COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Ms.J.Sreevidhya, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.258 and 259 of 2015 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 18.11.2011 made in ITA.Nos.1304 and 1305/Mds/2011 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2004-05 and 2005-06. 3.The appeals were admitted on 16.06.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the disallowance made under Section 36(1)(iii) on account of interest on borrowed money which was advanced to sister concern P&N Foods Pvt. Ltd., amounting to Rs.38,56,802/- for the assessment year 2005-06 was to be allowed? 2.Whether the finding of the Tribunal is proper by deleting the addition made under Section 36(1)(iii) on account of interest on borrowed fund advanced to sister concern especially when the assessee business is not money lending business or a financial institution which lends money for others?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.258 and 259 of 2015 pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in the respective cases is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeals are dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in the respective cases 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 appeals 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 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.258 and 259 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.258 and 259 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
More judgments on Section 36(1)(iii)
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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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