THE COMMISSIONER vs. M/S. AISHWARYA & CO

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TCA/449/2016HC Madras21 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. The Revenue's counsel 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 filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. As the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit, the appeal was dismissed on this ground. The substantial questions of law framed were left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai (Revenue) filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 29.5.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2008-09 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of a disallowance of Rs.1,08,22,078/- made by the Assessing Officer. The disallowance related to a loss on account of future and option (F&O) set off against business profit. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of Rs.1,08,22,078/- being the loss on account of future and option set off against business profit? (Question of law) 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when stock derivative trading loss incurred by a company is a speculative loss, which should be set only against speculative gains? (Question of law) 3. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the finding of the Tribunal is proper especially in view of the Explanation to Section 73 and Explanation 2 to Section 28 whereby the loss is a speculative loss since brokerage income on shares and securities do not find a place in the list of exception provided in the Explanation to Section 73? (Question of law) Assessee's contentions: Not recorded. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the loss from stock derivative trading is a speculative loss and should only be set off against speculative gains, citing the Explanation to Section 73 and Explanation 2 to Section 28 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. They contended that brokerage income on shares and securities does not fall within the exceptions provided.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 73,Section 28

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.449 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 21.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.449 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Aishwarya & Co. P. Ltd., Chennai-1. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 29.5.2015 made in ITA.No.860/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC & Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Ms.J.Sree Vidhya Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Ms.J.Sree Vidhya, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.449 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 29.5.2015 made in ITA.No. 860/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. 3. The appeal was admitted on 18.7.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of Rs.1,08,22,078/- being the loss on account of future and option set off against business profit ? ii. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad especially when stock derivative trading loss incurred by a company is a speculative loss, which should be set only against speculative gains ? And iii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the finding of the Tribunal is proper especially in view of the Explanation to Section 73 and Explanation 2 to Section 28 whereby the loss is a speculative loss since brokerage income on shares and securities do not find a place in the list of exception provided in the Explanation to Section 73?” 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.449 of 2016 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 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. 21.8.2019 Internet: Yes To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.449 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.449 of 2016 21.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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