COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S DIAMOND SHIPPING
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on the grounds of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the tax effect was below the revised threshold limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial question of law framed in the appeal was 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 costs were awarded. The specific finding of the Tribunal on the eligibility of the Container Freight Station for deduction under Section 80IA(4) was not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Ward-I, Madurai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 19.02.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ('C' Bench, Chennai). The appeal pertains to assessment year 2012-13 and challenges the Tribunal's decision regarding a deduction claim by the assessee, M/s. Diamond Shipping Agencies Private Limited. The dispute revolves around whether a Container Freight Station constitutes an 'inland port' eligible for deduction under Section 80IA(4). The appeal was heard by the High Court of Judicature at Madras.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right and justified in holding that a Container Freight Station constitutes an 'inland port' and therefore is entitled to deduction under Section 80IA(4)? The Revenue argued that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold. The assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.383 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.383 of 2017 Commissioner of Income Tax, Ward–I, Madurai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Diamond Shipping Agencies Private Limited, A-4, Diamond House, Word Trade Avenue, Harbour Estate, Tuticorin-628 004. PAN: AAACD 6487 H .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 19.02.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2272/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa Standing Counsel For Respondent : Ms.Sree Lakshmi Valli For Mr.G.Baskar ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.383 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 19.02.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2272/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2012-13. 2.The appeal has been filed raising the following substantial question of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, Tribunal was right and justified in holding that Container Freight Station constitute an 'inland port' and therefore entitled for deduction u/s 80IA(4)?” 3.Heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Ms.Sree Lakshmi Valli, learned counsel for Mr.G.Baskar, learned counsel for the respondent. 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.383 of 2017 effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019, dated 08.08.2019 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 question of law framed is 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.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr To 1.M/s.Diamond Shipping Agencies Private Limited, A-4, Diamond House, Word Trade Avenue, Harbour Estate, Tuticorin-628 004. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.383 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.No.383 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
More judgments on Section 80IA(4)
- Bombay Highway Carriers Private Limited… vs ITO Ward 5 (1), DelhiITA 6863/DEL/2026[2014-15]Status: Disposed22 Sept 2026AY 2014-15
- Deputy Commissioner of Income-Tax, Central… vs Megha Engineering Infrastructures Limited…ITA 6273/DEL/2026[2022-23]Status: Disposed21 Sept 2026AY 2022-23
- Cicago Commodities Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata vs ACIT, Circle 1(1), KolkataITA 994/KOL/2025[2018-2019]Status: Heard1 Sept 2026AY 2018-2019
- Gl Constructions Private Limited, Mumbai vs Circle 1(3)(1), MumbaiITA 2429/MUM/2026[2024-25]Status: Disposed21 Jul 2026AY 2024-25
- Deputy Commissioner of Income-Tax vs M/S. Gharpure Engineering & Construction P…ITA 1042/PUN/2014[2009-10]Status: Disposed18 Jun 2026AY 2009-10
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Tankala Soumya vs. Assistant Commissioner Of State Tax, CT And GST, Rayagada Circle, RayagadaOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- M/S Pooja, Town Hallroad, Cuttack vs. State Tax Officer, Cuttack-I West Circle,CuttackOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- M/S Chicvogue Fashions Lip, Ganjam vs. State Tax Officer Bhubaneswar- Ii CircleOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- M/S Priya, Townhall Road, Cuttack vs. Superintendent Cuttack- I Range, CuttackOrissa · 31 Oct 2026
- Dwaraka Jewellers, Bhubaneswar vs. Superintendent, CGST And Central Excise, BhubaneswarOrissa · 31 Oct 2026