PETITIONER: SHRI KANHAIYALAL LOHIA Vs. RESPONDENT: THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX,WEST BENGAL DATE OF JUDGMENT: 17/07/1961 BENCH: [ENTITY], [ENTITY] BENCH: [ENTITY], [ENTITY] DAS, [ENTITY], J.C. CITATION: 1962 AIR 1323 1962 SCR (2) 839 CITATOR INFO : F 1962 SC1326 (5) F 1962 SC1621 (115) RF 1963 SC 835 (2) ACT: Income-Tax Appeal from High Court's order Procedure-Appeal from order of the Tribunal by-passing High Court's order- Appeal if competent [ACT], 1922(11 of 1922), s[SECTION], 66(2) and 66(a). HEADNOTE: The appellant supported his brother and his nephew for a number of years as they were doing no work. In the year 1943 he made a gift of Rs. 7,60,000 odd to them though he had to overdraw his account with the Bank and to pay interest or the amount borrowed to raise the money. He also made a transfer of some of his businesses to them. His explanation was that these gifts were made to set these two persons up in business. The Income-tax Officer held that the gifts were riot bonafide and he assessed, the income of all the businesses in the hands of the appellant. The appellant had produced letters from some businessmen in support of his case. One such person was one [ENTITY] who was examined by the Income-tax Officer without notice to the appellant. Later, however, a copy of the statement of [ENTITY] was taken by the appellant's counsel and at his request [ENTITY] was summoned for cross-examination but on the date fixed none appeared for the appellant who was also absent. The appellant made a petition under [SECTION] of the [ACT] to the Tribunal asking that a number of questions of law be referred to the High Court. Only one question was referred by the Tribunal which declined to refer the other questions. In the High Court the question referred by the Tribunal was answered against the appellant on the admission of his counsel. The High Court was moved also under [SECTION] to order a reference of the remaining questions but the High Court rejected the application. The appellant did not appeal against these two orders of the High Court and instead filed appeals against the orders of the Tribunal. The appellant relied upon two cases of this Court viz. [ENTITY]' Case and [ENTITY]'s case and contended that tile appeal to this court was competent. Held, that the appeals were incompetent in view of the decisions of this Court in [PRECEDENT] and The [PRECEDENT]. further, that an appeal against an order of the High Court deciding a question referred or against a refusal to call for a statement can only be brought before the Supreme Court under [SECTION] of the [ACT], if the High Court decides the question referred, and under [SECTION] of the [ACT] if the High Court refuses to call for a statement. There can be no direct appeal to the Supreme Court by passing the decisions of the High Court. Held,. also, that there was neither any breach of the principles of natural justice in this case nor the existence of circumstances as existed in [ENTITY]'s case to justify the appeal. Held, that where a witness has been examined by the Income- tax Officer behind the back of the assessee but a copy of the statement of the witness is made available, to the assessee and an opportunity is given to him to cross-examine the witness, thereis no breach of the principle of natural justice. [PRECEDENT]. [PRECEDENT] [PRECEDENT]. ([CASE NUMBER], decided on April 24, 1961) followed. [PRECEDENT] and Sardar [ENTITY] v. Commissioner of Income-tax, Delhi and Ajmer. [PRECEDENT], explained. , JUDGMENT:
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeals No[SECTION]7 to 350 of 1960.
Appeals by special leave from the judgment and order dated January 18, 1953, of the Incometax Appellate Tribunal, Calcutta Bench, in Incometax , [CASE NUMBER] and [CASE NUMBER].
[ENTITY], [ENTITY] and [ENTITY], for the appellants.
[ENTITY], and [ENTITY], for respondent. 1961. July 17. The Judgment of the Court. was delivered by [ENTITY], J.-These appeals with special leave, were filed by one [ENTITY], who died during the pendency of the appeals, and who is now represented by the executors appointed under his will. By these appeals, which are consolidated, the appellants question an order dated January 8, 1953, of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal (Calcutta Bench) in appeals filed by the Department against the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner. The Tribunal reversed the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner and restored that of the Income-tax Officer. [ENTITY] made petitions under [SECTION] to the Tribunal, setting out a number of questions of which the following was I referred to the High Court :
"Whether in the cirumstances of this case where the Income-tax Officer, District III (2), separately assessed the business run in the name of [ENTITY] as belonging to a partnership firm consisting of [ENTITY] and [ENTITY], the Income-tax Officer, Non-
Companies E. P. T., District can assess the income from the same business in the hands of the assessee ?"
This question was answered against him. [ENTITY] also applied under [SECTION] to the High Court of Calcutta for reference of the other questions, but failed. No appeal has been filed by him against the order of the High Court refusing to direct the tribunal to state a case or against the decision on the question referred, and the present appeals have been filed against the decision of the Tribunal.
At the hearing of these appeals, we asked counsel for the appellants how, in view of the recent decisions of this Court in [PRECEDENT] and [PRECEDENT], these appeals were maintainable, if the two decisions of the High Court had become final. Mr. [ENTITY] relied upon the decisions in (1) [PRECEDENT].
(2) [CASE NUMBER] decided on April 24, 1961.
[PRECEDENT] (1) and Sardar [ENTITY] v. Commissioner of Income-tax Delhi and Ajmer (2), and pointed out that in those cases, appeals were entertained from the Tribunal's order, though he conceded with his usual frankness that special circumstances must exist. He contended that this was a case in which such circumstances existed. We shall deal with the appeals from that point of view, because unless special circumstances exist, the appeals must be regarded as not competent, in view of our recent rulings above mentioned.
[ENTITY], who was a prosperous dealer in jute, had his head office in Calcutta. He had no issue, and his family consisted of his wife his brother, [ENTITY] and [ENTITY]'s son, [ENTITY]. The properties of [ENTITY] were self-acquired, and he was always assessed as an individual. He maintained accounts according to the [ENTITY] year. In his return for the account year, April 14, 1943 to April 1, 1944 corresponding to the assessment year, 1944-45), he indicated that he had closed down in the middle of 1943 his purchasing centres in East Bengal, which stood in the name of [ENTITY], and that, he had gifted to his brother Rs. 5,1 1, 1. 01 on July. 12, 1943, and to his nephew, Rs. 2,50,000 on September 30, 1943. He showed income of his East Bengal business only up to the closure of that business.
[ENTITY] and [ENTITY] entered into partnership between themselves, and started a business under the name and style of "[ENTITY]." They took over the purchasing centres in East Bengal. They opened accounts in banks in the name of "[ENTITY]", and became members of the Baled Jute Association, and the Jute ,Baler,sAssociation, and traded in their own names. A deed of partnership between them was also executed on August 5, 1953. The business of [ENTITY] and of "[ENTITY] [CASE NUMBER].
(2) [PRECEDENT].
was within the jurisdiction of the same Incometax Officer. In the assessment of the partnership firm, notices were issued to the partnership both under [SECTION] and [SECTION], and the partner ship also applied for registration under [SECTION] of the [ACT],which was granted. The partnership was also assessed for the years, 1945-46 and 1946-47. The assessment of [ENTITY] was completed by the Income- tax Officer, Non Companies Income-Tax cum Excess Profits Tax District, and during the assessment for the year, 1945-46 a notice was issued under [SECTION] of the [ACT] on August 24, 1949, calling for accounts of the head office at Calcutta and also the branches including the business being carried on as "[ENTITY]", [ENTITY] proved, the above facts, producing the books of account, bank statements, registration certificate of "[ENTITY]" and evidence showing the membership of "[ENTITY]" of the two Associations. He also produced letters from four persons including one Sri [ENTITY] who was questioned by the Income-tax Officer without notice to' [ENTITY] and whose statement was also recorded. [ENTITY] objected to this procedure, but the Income-tax Officer, it is alleged, paid no heed to his protests, and on. March 31, 1950 the assessment was completed, and the income of the branches under the direct control of "[ENTITY]" was pooled with the income of [ENTITY]. The Income-tax Officer held that the gifts were not bonafide, and were colourable transactions. He relied upon the statement of Sri [ENTITY], which was recorded when [ENTITY] was not present. Against the assessment, [ENTITY], appealed to the Appellate Assistant Commissioner before whom two more letters from leading businessmen were filed. The Appellate Assistant Commissioner accepted the letters which were filed, and held that the gifts were proved and were bona fide and directed the exclusion of the income of "[ENTITY]" from the assessment of [ENTITY]. The order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner was pronounced on December 27, 1951. The Department appealed to the Appellate Income-tax Tribunal, Calcutta Bench. The Tribunal disagreed with the Appellate Assistant Commissioner, all held on January 8, 1953, that the gifts were not proved by the assessee by unimpeachable evidence, and that the income of "[ENTITY]" was rightly included in the assessment. As stated already,. applications under [SECTION] and [SECTION] were made to the Tribunal and the High Court respectively. The Tribunal referred one question, but declinedto refer the. other quest-ions. The High Court then moved under [SECTION] but without success. The High Court agreed with the Tribunal and answered the question which was referred, against [ENTITY]. Before the High Court, [ENTITY]'s counsel, Dr. [ENTITY], admitted that he. could not persuade the Court to answer the referred question against the, Department, and it appears that it was conceded by the Department before the High Court that the assessment of "[ENTITY]" would be cancelled. [ENTITY] then filed the present appeals against the order of the Tribunal dated January 8, 1953.
This Court has pointed out in [PRECEDENT] and [PRECEDENT] that the two cases in which this Court interfered with appellate orders of a Tribunal and relied upon before us, were of a special kind. In Dhakheshwari Cotton Mills case(3) there was a breach of the principle, of natural justice, and that was held sufficient to entitle an aggrieved party to come to this Court against the appellate order of the Tribunal under [SECTION]. In (1) [PRECEDENT].
(2)[CASE NUMBER] decided on April 24, 1961. (3) (1955) 1 S.C.R. 941.
[ENTITY]'s case (1) this Court entertained an appeal against the appellate order of the Tribunal, because limitation to take other remedies was IS barred without an fault of the assessee concerned. The ratio in each of these cases is that a circumstance which cannot be corrected by the procedure of a stated question of law on a statement of the case may afford a ground for invoking the jurisdiction of Court under [SECTION]. That ratio does not apply, where a question of law can be raised, and is capable of being answered by the High Court or on appeal by this Court. An appeal against an order of the High Court deciding a question referred or against a refusal to call for a statement can be brought before this Court under [SECTION], if the High Court decides the question referred and under [SECTION], if the High Court refuses to call for a statement. In the present case, the order of the High Court on the question referred was not brought before this Court by the ordinary, mode indicated in the [ACT], presumably because of the concession of counsel that he could not claim that the question be answered in favour of the assessee and the attitude of the Department that the assessment of "[ENTITY]" would be cancelled. The order refusing to call for a statement on questions other than the one referred is also not questioned before us. The attempt is to bring this case within the ratio of Dhakeshwari Cotton Mills' case(2),and in support, it has been pointed out mainly that the examination of Sri [ENTITY] in the absence of [ENTITY] was against the principles of natural justice. The statement of Sri [ENTITY] was taken on March 28, 1950, and it is recorded as follows :
"Mr. [ENTITY] is questioned by me as to what be knows regarding the alleged gift as recorded in the books of [ENTITY] in favour of [ENTITY] and [ENTITY]. He says (1) (1961) 1 S.C.R, 482. (2) (1955) 1 S.C.R. 941.
that I don't remember things very distinctly but 1 can say that the gifts to [ENTITY] or [ENTITY] were not made in my presence as alleged. Mr. [ENTITY] used to tell me that his brother and nephew are idling away their time hence I shall give them a. gift and make them work by that money.
The partnership deed was most probably drawn up by me. The gift, was reported to have been made to [ENTITY] and [ENTITY] before I should have taken up the drafting of the deed. [ENTITY] told me several times that he wanted to separate his brother and nephew. When the firm was started then [ENTITY] came to me and asked me if father and son's partnership deed could be drawn up.-
I don't know anything else than this in the matter."
The lie given by Sri [ENTITY] to the statement of [ENTITY] has affect his credibility. The order sheet shows that Mr. [ENTITY] took a copy of Sri [ENTITY]'s statement and expressed a desire to cross-examine him; but when the opportunity was given, he failed to appear. It is impossible to think in these circumstances that there has been any breach of the principles of natural justice. The order sheets of March 29 and 30, 1950 clearly record the absence of Mr. [ENTITY]. In our opinion, there is no breach of the principles of natural justice in this case to entitle the appellants to invoke the ruling in Dhakeshwari Cotton Mills case It was contended before us that the finding of the Tribunal was perverse, and that on an examination of the total circumstances, it is quite clear that the gifts were not only real, but were acted upon. This was a matter within the jurisdiction of [CASE NUMBER].
the Appellate Tribunal as the final fact-finding authority. The Tribunal acted within its powers in refusing to accept the evidence tendered, and looking at the circumstances of the. case, we cannot say that the finding has been perversely reached. For a number of years, the brother and the nephew were supported by [ENTITY], and it does not appear that a gift of even a small sum was made to them to put them on their legs. Suddenly in the year 1943, '[ENTITY] made up' his mind to put them in business with a gift of the order of Rs. 7,60,000 odd. For this purpose, he had to overdraw his accounts with the Bank and to pay interest to the Bank. It does not appear why he felt that the establishment of his brother and nephew in business should be made on such a grand scale, which involved him in debt. This circumstance, taken with the fact that Mr. [ENTITY] stated that he had always complained that they were good for nothing and were idlers, makes the transactions auspicious. It was presumably done with a view to reduce the assessable profits in the hands of [ENTITY], and on the evidence, the Tribunal was entitled to hold, as it did, that this was a sham transaction. In our opinion, no special circumstances exist, on which the appellants can claim to come to this Court against the decision of the Tribunal, by passing the decision of the of High Court on the question referred and there fusal 'the High Court to call for a statement of the case from the Tribunal on questions which the Tribunal refused to refer to the High Court. The appeals are, therefore, within the rulings of this Court in [PRECEDENT] and [PRECEDENT], and must be regarded as incompetent. The appeals are dismissed with costs, one set. Appeal dismissed.
(1) [PRECEDENT].
(2) [CASE NUMBER] decided on April 24, 1961