THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. T.KANNIYA RANI
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, in line with CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed in the appeal were 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 fixed in the circular, to enable the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 06.12.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2010-11 and concerns the respondent, Smt. T. Kanniya Rani. The core of the dispute revolves around the applicability of Section 50C(1) of the Income Tax Act to a transaction that occurred in the previous year relevant to assessment year 2010-11, and whether a registered power of attorney constituted sufficient evidence for a deeming transfer of property under Section 2(47)(v) read with Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act. The Revenue also questioned the ITAT's failure to apply Supreme Court judgments in Suraj Lamp and Industries Ltd. and Shri Balbir Singh Maini.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that the amended provisions of Section 50C(1) of the Income Tax Act, applicable from 01.04.2017, should be applied to a transaction that took place in the previous year relevant to assessment year 2010-11, as evidenced by a registered sale deed. The Revenue argued that the amended provisions should not be applied retrospectively. 2. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that the transaction occurred as per Section 2(47)(v) of the Income Tax Act read with Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, particularly when the assessee allegedly provided no evidence of a sale agreement or contract, and a registered power of attorney was considered sufficient for a deeming transfer. The Revenue contended that a registered power of attorney alone is insufficient to establish a deeming transfer under these provisions. 3. Whether the Tribunal ought to have applied the Supreme Court's decision in Suraj Lamp and Industries Ltd. vs. State of Haryana, which held that a contract of sale not being a registered sale deed falls short of the Transfer of Property Act requirements and does not confer title, and that transfer of property by sale requires a deed of conveyance. The Revenue argued that in the absence of a sale deed, no right, title, or interest could be transferred, especially when no sale agreement existed between the landowners and the power of attorney holders. 4. Whether the Tribunal ought to have applied the Apex Court's decision in Shri Balbir Singh Maini to the facts of the present case, given its similarity.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.758 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.758 of 2018 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Smt.T.Kanniya Rani PAN: AFMPK7216H ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 06.12.2017 made in ITA.No.3357/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, 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 06.12.2017 made in 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.758 of 2018 ITA.No.3357/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3.The appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether, the Tribunal was right in holding that the amended provisions of Section 50C(1) of the Income Tax Act which was applicable with effect from 01.04.2017 are applicable to the impugned transaction which took place in previous year relevant to the assessment year 2010-11 as per registered sale deed? 2.Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the transaction has been taken place as per Section 2(47)(v) of the I.T. Act read with Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act especially when no evidence had been placed by the assessee with regard to the sale agreement or any contract entered indicating the transfer of property existed and a registered power of attorney was sufficient evidence for holding deeming transfer of the property as per Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act? 3.Whether the Tribunal ought to have applied the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Suraj Lamp and Industries Ltd. vs. State of Haryana and another reported in 340 ITR page 1 wherein it had been held any contract of sale which was not a registered sale deed would fall short of requirements of the relevant provisions of law of Transfer of Property Act and could not confer any title and that the transfer of property by way of sale could be only through a sale deed and in the absence of deed of conveyance (duly stamped and registered as required by law) no right, title or interest in an immovable property could be transferred especially when in the present case no sale agreement had been entered between the land owners and the power of attorney holders? 4.Whether the Tribunal ought to have applied the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Shri Balbir Singh Maini in Civil APpeal No.15619 of 2017 (arising out SLP(Civil)NO.35248 of 2015 to the facts of the present case being similar in nature?" 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.758 of 2018 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. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 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.No.758 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.758 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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