Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT

135 Taxmann.com 286Supreme Court of India2022#674 most cited

What is Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT authority for?

Expenditure incurred by pharmaceutical companies on freebies provided to medical practitioners is not deductible under Explanation 1 to Section 37(1) of the Income-tax Act, as such gifting is prohibited by the Medical Council Regulations, 2002. The court also held that what is directly prohibited by law cannot be indirectly evaded through contrivance.

148

judgments rely on this decision, according to BharatTax’s citation analysis of 367,154 Indian tax judgments — from 2022 to 2026.

Also referred to as

Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT · 135 Taxmann.com 286 · Section 37(1) · Explanation 1 to Section 37(1) · freebies to doctors · pharmaceutical companies expenditure · prohibited by law · MCI Regulations 2002 · non-deductible expenses · indirect evasion · Section 2(24)(xviii)

Issues it is cited on

Judgments citing Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT

Diosma Lifesciences Private Limited, Mumbai vs. Income Tax Officer Ward 4(1) Thane, Thane

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is dismissed

ITA 4271/MUM/2025[2018-19]Status: DisposedITAT Mumbai16 Sept 2025AY 2018-19

Bench: Ms. Kavitha Rajagopal & Shri Prabhash Shankardiosma Lifesciences Private V/S. Income Tax Officer, Ward – Limited बनाम 4(1), Qureshi Mansion, Shop No. 77, C-Wing, Gokhale Road, Naupada, Harmony Mall Commercial Thane West, Thane - 400 Premises, Bhagat Singh Nagar 602, Maharashtra No.1, Link Road, Goregaon(West), Mumbai - 400 104, Maharashtra स्थायी लेखा सं./जीआइआर सं./Pan/Gir No: Aafcd0525R Appellant/अपीलार्थी .. Respondent/प्रतिवादी

For Appellant: Shri Vipul Shah, ARFor Respondent: Shri Aadesh Rai, Addl. CIT, (Virtually appeared)
Section 133(6)Section 143(2)Section 143(3)Section 37(1)

…ts are liable for punishment as per The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. 9.2 At this stage, it is relevant to refer to the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Apex Laboratories Pvt Ltd (2022) 442 ITR 1 (SC) wherein it considered the issue as to why the expenditure incurred towards gifting freebies to medical practitioners for creating awareness about the health supplement ‘Zincovit’, should not be added back to the total income of the said Company. The Apex Court dealt with the issue and held thus: ” 27. It is also a settled principle of law that…

Professional Automotives Private Limited, Jammu vs. Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle-1, Jaipur

In the result the appeal of the assessee in ITA no

ITA 812/JPR/2025[2016-17]Status: DisposedITAT Jaipur23 Jul 2025AY 2016-17

Bench: DR. S. SEETHALAKSHMI (Judicial Member), SHRI RATHOD KAMLESH JAYANTBHAI, आयकर अपील /ITA Nos.809 to 815/JP/2025 निर्धारण वर्ष /Assessment Years :2013-14 to 2019-20 Professional Automotives Pvt. बनाम ACIT, Ltd. Bahu Plaza, Bahu Plaza, Jammu Vs. Central Circle- 1, and Kashmir Jaipur स्थायी लेखा सं./जी.आई.आर. सं./PAN/GIR No.:AAACP9608E अपीलार्थी/Appellant प्र]त्यर्थी/Respondent निर्धारिती की ओर से / Assessee by :Shri Tarun Mittal, CA राजस्व की ओर से /Revenue by: Shri Ajey Malik, CIT (Th. V.C)

For Appellant: Shri Tarun Mittal, CAFor Respondent: Shri Ajey Malik, CIT (Th. V.C)
Section 143(3)Section 37(1)

…आयकर अपीलीय अधिकरण] जयपुर न्यायपीठ] जयपुर IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, JAIPUR BENCHES,”B” JAIPUR Mk0 ,l- lhrky{eh]U;kf;d lnL; ,o aJh jkBksM deys'k t;UrHkkbZ] ys[kk lnL; ds le{k BEFORE: DR. S. SEETHALAKSHMI, JM & SHRI RATHOD KAMLESH JAYANTBHAI, vk;dj vihyla-@ITA Nos.809 to 815/JP/2025 fu/kZkj.k o"kZ@Assessment Years :2013-14 to 2019-20 Professional Automotives Pvt. cuke ACIT, Vs. Ltd. Central Circle- 1, Bahu Plaza, Bahu Plaza, Jammu Jaipur and Kashmir LFkk;hys[kk la-@thvkbZvkj la-@PAN/GIR No.:AAACP9608E vihykFkhZ@Appellant izR;FkhZ@Respondent fu/kZkfjrh dh vksj ls@Assessee by :Shri Tarun Mittal, CA jktLo…

Agra Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, Agra vs. PCIT, Central, Pune

ITA 549/PUN/2023[2022-23]Status: DisposedITAT Pune26 Mar 2025AY 2022-23

Bench: Dr.Manish Borad & Shri Vinay Bhamoreआयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.518/Pun/2023 1. Poona Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, 302/303, Dr. Neety Mandke Ima House, Tilak Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune 411 002, Maharashtra Pan : Aaatp1435C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.522/Pun/2023 2. The Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, C-114, Ist Floor, D-Wing Entrance, Trade World, Kamala City, Senapati Bapat Marg, Low Parel (W), Mumbai-400 013 Maharashtra Pan : Aaatt4562C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.549/Pun/2023 3. Agra Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society, 84, M.G. Road, Agra 282 010, Uttar Pradesh Pan : Aabta6327K Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.417/Pun/2023 4. Aids Society Of India, Ground Floor, Maharukh Mandsion, Alibhai Premji Marg, Grant Road (E), Mumbai 400 007 Maharashtra Pan : Aabta4129R Vs. Principal Commissioner Of Income-Tax (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent 2

Section 12A

…ws that the averments of the Assessing Officer in his reference are proved. 12. At this stage, it is relevant to refer to the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Apex Laboratories (P.) Ltd. v. Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax reported in [2022] 442 ITR 1 (SC). In the aforesaid judgment, the Hon'ble Court has held that acceptance of freebies by medical practitioners was punishable as per Circular issued by Medical Council of India under MCI Regulations, 2002, as such gifting of such freebies by pharmaceutical company to medical practitioners would also be prohibited by law. In the aforesaid judgment…

The Mumbai Obstetric Gynaecological Society, Low Parel (W) vs. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Central), Pune

ITA 522/PUN/2023[-]Status: DisposedITAT Pune26 Mar 2025

Bench: Dr.Manish Borad & Shri Vinay Bhamoreआयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.518/Pun/2023 1. Poona Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, 302/303, Dr. Neety Mandke Ima House, Tilak Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune 411 002, Maharashtra Pan : Aaatp1435C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.522/Pun/2023 2. The Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune C-114, Ist Floor, D-Wing Entrance, Trade World, Kamala City, Senapati Bapat Marg, Low Parel (W), Mumbai-400 013 Maharashtra Pan : Aaatt4562C Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.549/Pun/2023 3. Agra Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society, 84, M.G. Road, Agra 282 010, Uttar Pradesh Pan : Aabta6327K Appellant Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.417/Pun/2023 4. Aids Society Of India, Ground Floor, Maharukh Mandsion, Alibhai Premji Marg, Grant Road (E), Mumbai 400 007 Maharashtra Pan : Aabta4129R Appellant Vs. Principal Commissioner Of Income-Tax (Central), Pune Respondent 2

Section 12A

…and the list thereof is sent to the doctors and the Trust do not interfere in selection of the delegates for the conference. 15. Thereafter, ld. PCIT gave reference to the judgment of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of M/s. Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. vs. DCIT 135 Taxmann.com 286 (SC) where the Hon'ble Court has conclusively held that since acceptance of freebies by Medical Practitioners are punishable as per Circular issued by Medical Council of India under Medical Council Regulations, 2002, Gifting of such freebies by Pharmaceutical Companies to Medical Practitioners is also prohibited by law and thus expenditur…

Poona Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society, Pune vs. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-Central, Pune

ITA 518/PUN/2023[-]Status: DisposedITAT Pune26 Mar 2025

Bench: Dr.Manish Borad & Shri Vinay Bhamoreआयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.518/Pun/2023 1. Poona Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, 302/303, Dr. Neety Mandke Ima House, Tilak Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune 411 002, Maharashtra Pan : Aaatp1435C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.522/Pun/2023 2. The Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune C-114, Ist Floor, D-Wing Entrance, Trade World, Kamala City, Senapati Bapat Marg, Low Parel (W), Mumbai-400 013 Maharashtra Pan : Aaatt4562C Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.549/Pun/2023 3. Agra Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society, 84, M.G. Road, Agra 282 010, Uttar Pradesh Pan : Aabta6327K Appellant Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.417/Pun/2023 Vs. Principal Commissioner 4. Aids Society Of India, Ground Floor, Maharukh Mandsion, Alibhai Premji Marg, Grant Road (E), Mumbai 400 007 Maharashtra Pan : Aabta4129R Appellant Of Income-Tax (Central), Pune Respondent 2

Section 12A

…ws that the averments of the Assessing Officer in his reference are proved. 12. At this stage, it is relevant to refer to the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Apex Laboratories (P.) Ltd. v. Deputy Commissioner of Income-tax reported in [2022] 442 ITR 1 (SC). In the aforesaid judgment, the Hon'ble Court has held that acceptance of freebies by medical practitioners was punishable as per Circular issued by Medical Council of India under MCI Regulations, 2002, as such gifting of such freebies by pharmaceutical company to medical practitioners would also be prohibited by law. In the aforesaid judgment…

Aids Society of India, Mumbai vs. The Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Central), Pune

ITA 417/PUN/2023[-]Status: DisposedITAT Pune26 Mar 2025

Bench: Dr.Manish Borad & Shri Vinay Bhamoreआयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.518/Pun/2023 1. Poona Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, 302/303, Dr. Neety Mandke Ima House, Tilak Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune 411 002, Maharashtra Pan : Aaatp1435C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.522/Pun/2023 2. The Mumbai Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society, C-114, Ist Floor, D-Wing Entrance, Trade World, Kamala City, Senapati Bapat Marg, Low Parel (W), Mumbai-400 013 Maharashtra Pan : Aaatt4562C Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.549/Pun/2023 3. Agra Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society, 84, M.G. Road, Agra 282 010, Uttar Pradesh Pan : Aabta6327K Vs. Pr.Cit (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent आयकर अपील सं. / Ita No.417/Pun/2023 4. Aids Society Of India, Ground Floor, Maharukh Mandsion, Alibhai Premji Marg, Grant Road (E), Mumbai 400 007 Maharashtra Pan : Aabta4129R Vs. Principal Commissioner Of Income-Tax (Central), Pune Appellant Respondent 2

For Respondent: Shri Ajay Kumar Keshari
Section 12A

…and the list thereof is sent to the doctors and the Trust do not interfere in selection of the delegates for the conference. 15. Thereafter, ld. PCIT gave reference to the judgment of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of M/s. Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. vs. DCIT 135 Taxmann.com 286 (SC) where the Hon'ble Court has conclusively held that since acceptance of freebies by Medical Practitioners are punishable as per Circular issued by Medical Council of India under Medical Council Regulations, 2002, Gifting of such freebies by Pharmaceutical Companies to Medical Practitioners is also prohibited by law and thus expenditur…