KHUSHAAL C. THACKERSEY,MUMBAI vs. ASST CIT 12(1), MUMBAI

In the appellate proceedings, the Ld CIT(A) held that the redemption of NCDs would not give rise to Long term capital gains as claimed by the assessee and further held that the difference between the maturity proceeds upon redemption of NCDs and the cost is to be assessed as interest income of the assessee under the head Income from Other Sources. Accordingly, the Ld CIT(A) directed the AO to assess a sum of Rs.3.95 crores as interest income. Since the Ld CIT(A) held that the assessee did not earn any long term capital gains, he did not consider the question of allowing deduction u/s 54F and 54EC of the Act. Aggrieved, the assessee has filed this appeal.

The facts relating to the above said issues are discussed in brief. A company named Hindoostan Spinning & Weaving Mills Ltd (HSWML) was declared as a sick unit under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 on 04-12-2002. As per the Rehabilitation Scheme sanctioned by the then existing authority named BIFR, the above said company was divided into 4 units. Three Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) viz., Bhishma Realty Limited, Capricorn Realty Limited and Chaitra Realty Limited, were formed for managing three units. One unit at Karad continued to be with the existing HSWML. As per the scheme sanctioned by BFIR, all the three special purpose vehicles issued 0% secured Redeemable non- convertible Debentures payable at a premium (hereinafter called as “NCDs” to the secured lenders, i.e., Nationalised banks against their outstanding loans in the year 2004/2005. The terms and conditions of issuing NCDs were governed by a Debenture Trust Deed dated 22.07.2005 and M/s IDBI Trusteeship Services Ltd was appointed as “Trustee” for the management of NCDs. Each NCD was having face value of Rs.1.00 lakh. Two types of NCDs, viz., NCD-I for the creditors holding first charge and NCD-II for the creditors holding second charge were issued.

During the year 2006, the banks started pressurizing the directors of the SPVs for payment of NCDs. Hence the assessee, being one of the directors

During the year 2009, the above said NCDs I & II were redeemed by both M/s Bhishma Realty Ltd and M/s Capricorn Realty Ltd. The maturity proceeds received by the assessee upon redemption are detailed below:-

We noticed earlier that the AO rejected the claim for deduction u/s 54F of the Act. The Ld CIT(A), however, examined the issue in a different angle and held that the gain received by the assessee on redemption of NCDs is in the nature of interest assessable under the head Income from Other sources. Accordingly, the claim for deduction u/s 54F was rejected by Ld CIT(A) in the absence of any income by way of long term capital gains.

Before us, the Ld A.R contended that the Ld CIT(A) has exceeded his power by directing the AO to assess a “new source of Income”. According to Ld A.R, the AO had assessed the long term capital gains as declared by the assessee, but he has only denied the deduction claimed u/s 54F of the Act. On the contrary, the Ld CIT(A) had directed the AO to assess the gain received on redemption of NCDs as interest income under the head Income from Other sources, which would amount to assessment of new source of income by Ld CIT(A). The Ld A.R submitted that the Ld CIT(A) is not empowered to assess any new source of income in the appellate proceedings. In support of this contentions, the Ld A.R placed his reliance on the decisions rendered by Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of CIT vs. Union Tyres (240 ITR 556)(Delhi) and CIT vs. Sardari Lal & Co (2002)(102 Taxman 595)(Delhi).

We heard the parties on this legal issue. We noticed that the assessee has purchased NCDs for an amount of Rs.373.47 lakhs and received a sum of Rs.649.97 lakhs on their redemption. Thus, the assessee made a gain of 6 Khushaal C. Thackersey Rs.276.50 lakhs on the redemption of NCDs. We notice that the taxability of above said income has only been examined both by the assessee/AO and Ld CIT(A). While the assessee has declared the same as Long term capital gains, the Ld CIT(A) has taken the view that the same is required to be assessed as interest income under the head Income from Other sources. Thus, we notice that the Ld CIT(A) has only changed the “head of income” under which the above said gain is required to be assessed. Hence, we are of the view that it cannot be said that the Ld CIT(A) has directed the AO to assess any new source of income as contended by the assessee. Accordingly, we do not find any merit in the above said legal contention of the assessee and accordingly, we reject the same.

It is pertinent to note that there is an error in the quantum of income that was directed by the Ld CIT(A) to be assessed as interest income. We notice that the Ld CIT(A) has directed the AO to assess a sum of Rs.3,94,96,603/-, being the difference between the sale value and face value of NCDs. However, the fact remains that the assessee was not original allottee of NCDs and he has purchased them from banks. Hence, the difference between the sale value and purchase cost amounting to Rs.2,76,49,919/- was the actual amount of gain earned by the assessee and the same should have been directed by him to be assessed as interest income. This is an apparent mistake in mentioning the income that is required to be assessed and we have given appropriate direction infra.

Now, the question that requires our consideration is whether the gain arising to the assessee on redemption of debentures is in the nature of Capital gains as claimed by the assessee or it is in the nature of interest income as held by Ld CIT(A). The question relating to deduction claimed by the assessee u/s 54F of the Act would require examination only if we hold that the impugned gain is assessable as long term capital gains.

In the instant case, the Special Purpose Vehicles, viz., Bhishma Realty Limited, Capricorn Realty Limited and Chaitra Realty Limited have issued Non Convertible Debentures – i.e., 0% seucured and redeemable non- convertible debentures of Rs.1.00 lakh each. They were issued in two series, viz., NCD-I to first charge holders and NCD-II to second charge holders and both the series are to be redeemed within a period of 5 years from the date of sanction by BIFR along with redemption premium so as to yield an IRR of 12.5% and 11% respectively. Thus, the above said SPVs are not required to pay interest either quarterly, half yearly or annually during the tenure of NCDs, but premium shall be paid on redemption. We noticed earlier that the above said NCDs were initially allotted to the nationalized banks in September, 2004. The assessee herein has purchased the NCDs in June, 2006 from those nationalized banks. Thereafter, they were redeemed in October, 2009.

The case of the assessee is that the “debenture” is a capital asset. Further its redemption is results in extinguishment of rights therein. However, the Ld CIT(A) has taken the view that the redemption will not fall under the definition of “transfer” given under the Act. In this regard, the Ld A.R submitted that the expression “transfer” includes “sale, exchange or relinquishment of asset or extinguishment of rights” as stated in sec.2(47)(i) of the Act. The Ld A.R submitted that the extinguishment of rights in preference shares has been held to be a case of “transfer” by various Courts. In support of this proposition, the Ld A.R placed his reliance on the decisions rendered by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Anarkali Sarabhai vs. CIT (1997)(90 Taxman 509)(SC), Kartikeya V Sarabhai vs. CIT (1997)(95 Taxman 164)(SC) and by Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the case of Sath Gwaldas Mathurdas Mohata Trust vs. CIT (1987)(33 Taxman 328)(Bom). The Ld A.R also invited our attention to the decision rendered by Mumbai bench of ITAT in the case of Mrs. Perviz Wang Chuk basi vs. JCIT (2006)(102 ITD 123), wherein the redemption of capital investment bond after maturity is held to 8 Khushaal C. Thackersey be a “transfer” within meaning of sec. 2(47) and accordingly, it was held that the same would give rise to Capital Gain or loss. He submitted that the same analogy should be applied to the case of redemption of debentures also, as the same results in extinguishment of rights in debentures.

The Ld A.R drew our attention to the provisions of sec.50AA of the Act introduced from 1.4.2023, wherein it is stated that the gains arising on transfer, redemption or maturity of “market linked debentures” shall be deemed to be capital gains arising on transfer of short term capital asset. He also invited our attention to the fourth proviso to sec.48, wherein it is stated that the benefit of indexation will not be available to debenture. Accordingly, the Ld A.R submitted that the Income tax Act itself recognizes “debentures” as capital asset. Accordingly, the Ld A.R contended that the redemption of debentures would result in transfer of a capital asset and the gain arising thereon would give raise to Capital gains as mentioned in sec.45 of the Act.

On the contrary, the Ld D.R submitted that the NCDs are debt instruments and issuing of debentures is one of the ways of borrowing money either from market or through private placement. In the present case, the NCDs have been issued initially by HSWML to the banks in settlement of loan taken by it from banks. The said NCDs carried 0% interest rate, but are redeemable at a premium. It is specifically stated that the premium amount payable on redemption is calculated in a particular manner, meaning thereby, the premium is nothing but the interest amount payable on the NCDs (loan amount). The ld D.R submitted that the Delhi bench of Tribunal has examined the nature of premium payable by the issuer of debentures in the case of ACIT vs. Cleta Real Estate (P) Ltd (2022)(145 taxmann.com 76)(Delhi) and it has been held that the premium amount is an expenditure and it could be spread over the tenure of debenture period and could be claimed as deduction accordingly. Similar view has been expressed in the case reported in 2017-TIOL-183-ITAT-KOL. She also referred to the decision

The Ld D.R further submitted that the assessee herein is an intermediate purchaser and not the original subscriber of NCDs. With regard to tax treatment to be given to the gain arising on redemption of Deep Discount Bonds, the Ld D.R referred to the Circular No.002 of 2002 issued by CBDT, wherein the tax treatment to be given in respect of Deep Discount Bonds and STRIPS upon its redemption has been explained. He submitted that the above cited CBDT Circular states that the difference between the redemption price and the cost of purchase of bond by the intermediate purchaser will be taxable as interest or business income, as the case may be. Accordingly, the Ld D.R submitted that the Ld CIT(A) has rightly held that the gain received by the assessee on redemption of NCDs is taxable as interest income. With regard to the computational error, the Ld D.R agreed that the correct amount may be directed to be assessed as interest income. The Ld D.R further submitted that the question of allowing deduction u/s 54F and 54EC will not arise, since the gain is taxable as interest income.

We heard rival contentions and perused the record. The facts peculiar to this case may first be noted here. The three SPVs, viz., viz., Bhishma Realty Limited, Capricorn Realty Limited and Chaitra Realty Limited are related concerns of the assessee. The assessee is a director in Capricorn Realty Limited. We noticed earlier that the NCDs were issued by above said three SPVs on private placement basis and they were allotted initially to nationalized banks in lieu of outstanding loans. The assessee, herein, has purchased them from those banks, being initial allottees. The debentures were not listed/traded in any of the stock exchanges. As per Section 2(30) of Companies Act, 2013 “debenture” includes debenture stock, bonds, or any 10 Khushaal C. Thackersey other instrument of a company evidencing a debt, whether constituting a charge on the assets of the company or not. Hence, even though the debentures would fall under the definition of “securities”, yet they are essentially debt instruments evidencing a debt.

The Ld D.R relied on a circular issued by CBDT, i.e., Circular No.002 of 2002, wherein the tax treatment to be given on the gains realized on redemption of Deep Discount Bonds (DDB) has been explained. The DDBs are issued by discounting the face value of debenture/bond and the same will be redeemed at par value. For example, the DDB with tenure of five years and having a face value of Rs.1000/- may be issued at Rs.600/-. They will be redeemed at Rs.1,000/- upon maturity. The NCDs issued by SPVs are opposite to DDBs. The NCDs were issued by the SPVs at a face value of Rs.1.00 lakh and they are redeemable after a period of five years at a premium so as to yield an IRR of 12.50% in the case of NCD-I and 11% in the case of NCD-II. Thus, in the case of DDB, the face value of the bonds is discounted by applying a particular interest rate, so that the maturity proceeds equal to the face value. On the contrary, in the case of NCDs redeemable at premium, the premium amount is determined by applying a particular interest rate. Thus, both the amount of discount and the amount of premium, in effect, are “interest amounts” only. Hence, the companies issuing both types of bonds/debentures usually claim discount/premium as interest expenditure and their claim has been allowed.

We think that there is no dispute with regard to the fact that the “Debentures” fall under the category of “Capital asset” under the Income tax Act. In this regard, the Ld A.R took us to sec.50AA of the Income tax Act, wherein the gains arising on sale/redemption of certain kinds of debentures is stated to be taxable as short term capital gain. We notice that section 50AA is applicable to a case of “market linked debentures” (MLD). In case of Market linked debentures, the interest rate payable on them is not 11 Khushaal C. Thackersey determined at the time of issuing them. Instead, the return on those market linked instruments is determined on the basis of performance of an underlying market index or instrument. Normally, in case of MLD, interest may not be payable every year and it may be payable in lump sum at the end of its tenure. The Parliament, by a legal fiction introduced in sec.50AA of the Act, has stated that the said gain is taxable as short term capital gains, even though the MLD might have been held for more than three years. The reason may be that the tax is payable on short term capital gains under regular rates, as applicable to interest income. In the instant case, the assessee has purchased NCDs and they are materially different from MLDs. Hence, we are of the view that the legal fiction introduced in sec. 50AA to deal with the cases of MLDs cannot be taken support of by the assessee, in the facts of the present case.

The Ld A.R also placed reliance on the fourth proviso to sec.48 of the Act, wherein it is stated that the indexation benefit will not be available to bond or debenture. He also placed reliance on certain case laws, wherein it has been held that the redemption of Preference shares or reduction of face value of shares would result in extinguishment of rights/proportionate rights in shares held by a shareholder and hence the amount paid to the shareholder is exigible to Capital gains tax. We notice that the all the said case laws are related to Preference shares/equity shares and not to debentures. There should not be any dispute that the “shares” and “debentures” are two different types of instruments having different types of rights and liabilities. Hence, both cannot be equated with. A shareholder holds a share in the Share capital of a company and he is considered to be one of the owners of the company. He is having right over the surplus available on liquidation of the company. While the preference shares may be of a particular tenure, the equity shares are held on a perpetual basis. Both kinds of shares can only be sold in the open market. The question of redemption of shares does not arise in the case of equity shares. However, a 12 Khushaal C. Thackersey company may buy back its equity shares subject to complying with the conditions imposed by the Statue. Similarly, subject to compliance of conditions imposed by the statue, the par value of equity shares may be reduced, split etc. On the contrary, a debenture holder is a financial creditor to the company, since debenture is a debt instrument. Further, the debentures are redeemable at the end of the tenure. A debenture holder is entitled to receive interest as per agreed terms and the principal amount upon its maturity. He does not have right to receive anything extra and cannot have any right over the surplus arising on liquidation of company. Thus the shares carry more right over and above its face value, while the debentures do not carry such kind of rights. Hence, “shares” and “debentures” stand on different footing. In our view, the decisions with regard to redemption of preference shares and reduction of capital in case of equity shares have been rendered considering the rights and liabilities attached to shares. Hence, in our view, the ratio of decisions rendered in the case of equity shares/preference shares cannot be applied to debt instruments. We notice that the decision in the case of Mrs. Perviz Wang Chuk basi (supra) was related to Capital investment Bond issued by Government of India and not the case of debenture issued on private placement basis. Accordingly, the redemption of debentures is nothing but repayment of debt and the same, in our view, cannot fall under the category of “extinguishment” as interpreted by the Courts in the case of Shares/Preference shares.

We may explain as to how the incidence of capital gain may arise in the case of debentures. We noticed earlier that the holder of debenture is only entitled to receive interest from it. The said interest income is taxable under the head Income from other sources or under the head business income. In case of shares, the shareholder would get dividend income and the same is taxable as stated above. Thus the face value of shares/debentures would remain static and is the capital amount, while the dividend/interest income is the income generated from the above said capital amount. The possibility

In the instant case, the NCDs under consideration are privately placed debentures and they are not listed in the stock exchange. Further, the assessee herein has not sold the NCDs in the open market. The assessee has only surrendered the NCDs to the SPVs, viz., M/s Bhishma Realty Ltd and M/s Capricorn Realty Ltd, for redemption. Thus, it is a case of realization of money advanced by a creditor, since debentures are debt instruments only. Thus, the question of generation of capital gains will not arise, when the debentures are redeemed by the issuing companies. Further, what is received by the assessee in the form of premium is nothing but interest

We noticed earlier, the cost of purchase of debentures to the assessee was Rs.373.47 lakhs and the redemption value was Rs.649.97 lakhs. Hence the actual interest that has accrued to the assessee was Rs.276.50 lakhs only. Accordingly, we modify the order passed by Ld CIT(A) and direct the AO to assess the above said interest income of Rs.276.50 lakhs only.

Since we have held that the surplus/premium received by the assessee is in the nature of interest income, the contention of the assessee that the same was in the nature of capital gain is rejected. Hence the assessee will not be entitled for any deduction u/s 54F and 54EC of the Act in the absence of any capital gains income. We order accordingly.

In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is partly allowed.