M/S B.J. SERVICE CO., AS AGENT KRASOIMIR BATCHEV vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL and ORS.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal, following its own previous judgment in Commissioner of Income Tax and another Vs. SEDCO Forex International Drilling Co. Ltd. and connected cases (2003) 264 ITR 320. In that precedent, a Division Bench of the High Court had held that payment of salary for the "off period" constituted income earned in India, i.e., for services rendered in India, under Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and was therefore taxable. The High Court found no reason to deviate from this established legal position. The operative direction was the dismissal of the appeal.
What were the facts?
The assessee, M/s B. J. Services Co. Middle East, acting as an agent for Mr. Krassimir Batchev, filed an appeal against an order dated 03.02.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’. The dispute pertains to the Assessment Year 1997-98. The appeal was filed before the High Court of Uttaranchal at Nainital. The revenue authorities are the respondents. The procedural history involves the Tribunal's order, which is now under challenge before the High Court.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is legally justified in treating the amount paid for the "off period" as income earned in India, in view of the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, despite no services being rendered in India during the off period? Assessee's Contention: The assessee argued that the amount paid for the "off period" should not be treated as income earned in India because no services were rendered in India during that period. They further contended that the subsequent amendment to the explanation to Section 9(1)(ii) with effect from 01.04.2000, which regards payments for "off period" or leave period as income accrued in India, only applies prospectively from that date, implying it should not apply to the assessment year in question. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the revenue.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
JUDGMENT
CYRIAC JOSEPH, C.J. (Oral)
This appeal is filed against the order dated 03.02.2004 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench ‘D’, New Delhi in I.T.A. No. 50 to 81/Del/2000. The appellant is the assessee. The dispute relates to the Assessment Year 1997-98. 2. The substantial question of law raised in the appeal is as follows: “Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, Tribunal is legally justified in treating the amount paid for the “off period” as the income earned in India in view of the explanation to section 9(1)(ii) while admittedly no service has been rendered during off period in India and inasmuch as, the subsequent amendment made in the explanation w.e.f. 01.04.2000 shows that the amount paid for “off period” or leave period is regarded as the income accrued in India only w. e. f. 01.04.2000?”
payment of salary for “off period” was income earned in India i.e. for services rendered in India under Section 9(1)(ii) and that “off period salary” was taxable under section 9(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 4. Following the above-mentioned judgment of a Division Bench of this Court, this appeal is dismissed.
(J.C.S. Rawat, J.) (Cyriac Joseph, C.J.) 13.09.2005
2005
G
More judgments on Section 9(1)(ii)
- Mr. Rajesh R Hemrajani, Mumbai vs ITO Int. Tax Ward 2(2)(1), MumbaiITA 1284/MUM/2025[2019-20]Status: Disposed31 Jul 2026AY 2019-20
- Mrigesh Gaurav, Bangalore vs ITO Ward 42(2)(4), MumbaiITA 7988/MUM/2025[2018-19]Status: Disposed5 Mar 2026AY 2018-19
- Commissioner of Income Tax, (International… vs M/S Exl Service.Com Inc (Presently Known As…ITA/749/202517 Dec 2025
- Commissioner of Income Tax (International… vs Exl Service.Com Inc (Presently Known As Exl…ITA/748/202517 Dec 2025
- Commissioner of Income Tax (International… vs Exl Service.Com Inc (Presently Known As Exl…ITA/752/202517 Dec 2025
Recent GST High Court judgments
Search GST case law →- Nimmakayala Padmavathi vs. The Union Of INDIAAndhra Pradesh · 2 Nov 2026
- Som Nath Nagar Mal Th Partner Sanjay Mahajan vs. Union Of INDIA Th Department Of Financial Services, Ministry Of Finance And OthersJammu and Kashmir and Ladakh · 2 Nov 2026
- Mohd. Aqil Proprietor Of M/S Ma Garments vs. Principal Commissioner Central GST, Delhi And Anr.Delhi · 2 Nov 2026
- M/S Crs Builders Private Limited vs. Commissioner State Goods And Services TaxUttarakhand · 2 Nov 2026
- Noore Manpower Services vs. Commissioner Central Goods And Services TaxUttarakhand · 2 Nov 2026