THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. SHRI KUNAL S.MEHTA

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TCA/765/2015HC Madras01 July 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DURAISWAMY5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court did not decide the substantial questions of law on merits. The Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing the low tax effect in the case, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this particular case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed as withdrawn. The substantial questions of law were expressly 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 Revenue, the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, dated March 5, 2015. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2007-08 and concerned the computation of indexed cost of acquisition for the assessee, Shri Kunal S. Mehta. The Tribunal's order was challenged by the Revenue. The appeal was admitted by the High Court on September 22, 2015, based on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the base year as 1981, and not the year in which the assessee became the owner of the assets by way of inheritance, for the purpose of computing indexed cost of acquisition? 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad as it is contrary to explanation (ii) of Section 48 of the Income Tax Act? The Revenue contended that the Tribunal erred in its decision regarding the base year for indexation. The assessee's arguments are not explicitly recorded in the judgment. The Revenue's submission for withdrawal was based on CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 concerning low tax effect.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 48

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 01.07.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE R. HEMALATHA T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ... Appellant Vs. Shri Kunal S. Mehta 9B, JVL Bungalow, 25/4, Flowers Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010 ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “A” Bench, dated 05.03.2015 in I.TA.No.1926/Mds/2014, Assessment Year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan Senior Standing Counsel and Mr.S.Rajesh Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.Ashok Pathy for M/s.Pass Associates Page 1/5 T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel and Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.Ashok Pathy for M/s.Pass Associates, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 05.03.2015 made in I.TA.No.1926/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “A” Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2007-08. 3.The appeal was admitted on 22.09.2015 on the following substantial questions of law: “1.Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the base year as 1981, and not the year in which the assessee became the owner of the assets Page 2/5 T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 by way of inheritance for the purpose of computing indexed cost of acquisition? 2.Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad as it is contrary to the explanation (ii) of Section 48 of the Income Tax Act?” 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 08.08.2019 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 as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in this case is above the threshold limit fixed in the said Circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Page 3/5 T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. [M.D., J.] [R.H., J.] 01.07.2021

Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes

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To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “A” Bench Page 4/5 T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and R. HEMALATHA, J. mkn T.C.A.No.765 of 2015 01.07.2021 Page 5/5

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