COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. SHRI D. PRABHAKAR JOHN

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TCA/421/2015HC Madras27 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

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 the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was less than the increased monetary threshold for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, for hearing and decision on merits. No costs were awarded. The operative direction was to dismiss 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 19.12.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2007-08 and challenged the relief granted to the assessee, Shri D. Prabhakar John. The ITAT had granted relief concerning a claim for exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law concerning the date of agreement and reinvestment for the purpose of Section 54F exemption, and the applicability of Section 2(47)(v) of the IT Act and Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal erred in granting relief to the assessee on a wrong claim of exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act without reckoning the date of agreement, which goes beyond the period specified? 2. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in not considering the provisions of Section 2(47)(v) of the IT Act and Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act for the purpose of reckoning the date of reinvestment and the one-year time limit to grant exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act when the assessee had entered into an agreement on 15.04.2005 and had paid part consideration for the property? Assessee's Contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 54F,Section 2(47)(v)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.421 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.421 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Shri D.Prabhakar John ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 19.12.2014 made in ITA.No.2869/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkataraman for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.421 of 2015 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Venkataraman, learned counsel for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan, 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 19.12.2014 made in ITA.No.2869/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. 3.The appeal was admitted on 01.07.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was erred in granting the relief to the assessee on a wrong claim of exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act without reckoning the date of agreement, which goes beyond the period specified? 2) Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in not considering the provisions of Section 2(47)(v) of the IT Act and Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act for the purpose of reckoning the date of reinvestment and the one year time limit to grant exemption under Section 54F of the Income Tax Act when the assessee has entered into agreement on 15.04.2005 and had paid the part consideration for the property?" 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 TCA.No.421 of 2015 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.421 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.421 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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