Commissioner Of Gift-Tax vs Chameli Devi
2001 Latest Caselaw 860 Del

JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, C.J.

1. At the instance of the Revenue, the following question has been referred under Section 26(1) of the Gift-tax Act, 1958 (in short the "Act"), by the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, Delhi Bench "C", New Delhi (in short "the Tribunal"), for the opinion of this court :

"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, when the deceased-assessed transferred her right to get the lease of the plot from the Delhi Development Authority, was she entitled to get the deduction of 50 per cent. unearned increase in terms and conditions of the auction ?"

2. The dispute relates to the assessment year 1975-76.

3. The factual position in a nutshell is as follows :

A return of taxable gift was filed by the assessed. The Assessing Officer found that the assessed had taken part in the public auction held by the Delhi Development Authority (in short "the DDA"), in April, 1974, and purchased a plot in Safdarjang Area at a cost of Rs. 23,510. The plot was transferred in the name of the deceased's grandson, Sh. Rajiv Jhalani in 1975. The assessed's case was that the plot was transferred to two grandsons, viz., Sh. Rajiv Jhalani and Sh. Kapil Jhalani. The valuation of the property was done by an approved

valuer who while computing the value deducted 50 per cent. of the unearned increase. The Assessing Officer was of the view that there being no question of payment in relation to unearned increase in the case of a relation, there was no scope for deducting 50 per cent. of the unearned increase over the initial premium, as was done by the valuer. The valuation report, as prepared by the assessed's valuer, had determined the value of the property in question at Rs. 45,000. The gross value had been determined at Rs. 66,666 and as aforesaid 50 per cent. of the increase in the value of the land was deducted. The matter was carried in appeal by the assessed before the Appellate Assistant Commissioner, who held that in terms of para. IV(2)(iv) of the terms of the auction, 50 per cent. of the unearned increase in the value, i.e., the difference between the premium paid and the market value of the plot at the time of transfer shall be paid to the Government. Accordingly, the relief was granted. An appeal was preferred by the Revenue on the question of allowance of deduction of 50 per cent. of the unearned increase. The Tribunal held that the expression "transfer" as used in sub-para. (3) of para. IV(2)(iv) of the terms of auction is applicable to the facts of the case and therefore the Appellate Assistant Commissioner's order did not warrant any interference. On being moved for reference, the question as set out above, has been referred for the opinion of this court.

4. We have heard learned counsel for the Revenue. There is no appearance on behalf of the assessed.

5. We find that the approach of the Tribunal was somewhat different from that adopted by the Assessing Officer. While the Assessing Officer referred to the normal practice adopted of not charging unearned increase in respect of relation, that factual aspect has not been considered by the Tribunal. It is not clear from the orders as to whether in fact there was any payment of the difference in respect of unearned increase. We, therefore, instead of answering the question referred, remit the matter back to the Tribunal for adjudication of that particular aspect. If in reality there has been no payment, the question of allowing a deduction would not arise. If on the other hand any amount has been paid in relation to the unearned increase, 50 per cent. thereof has to be allowed as a deduction.

6. Reference is accordingly disposed of.