Case: T. N. K. Govindarajulu Chetty Vs. Commissioner Of Income-Tax, Madras

Shah, J. 1. The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal submitted two questions for the opinion of the High Court of Madras : 1. Whether the sum of Rs. 1,28,716 is assessable as income under any of the provisions of the Act ? 2. If the answer is in the affirmative, the assessment years in which the amount falls to be assessed by suitable apportionment. The first question was answered by the High Court in the affirmative. The High Court declined to answer the second question because it did not, in their view, arise out of the order of the Tribunal. The assessees have appealed to this Court. 2. By order dated January 30, 1944, the Collector of Madras, exercising power under Rule 75A of the Defence of India Rules, 1939, requisitioned a property known as Lutterals Gardens belonging to the assessees. The property continued to remain under requisition till it vested in the Government of Madras absolutely in consequence of an order made on May 24, 1949 by the Collector of Madras under Section 5 of the Requisitioned Land (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947, declaring the intention of the Government of Madras to acquire that property. The assessees declined the offer made by the Collector to pay Rs. 2,40,000 as compensation for acquisition of the property and interest at the rate of 6 per cent thereon from the date of notification for acquisition, and the dispute relating to compensation payable to the assessees was referred to the Chief Judge of the Court of Small Causes, Madras. By order of the High Court of Madras in appeal from the order of the Chief Judge it was adjudged that the assessees be paid Rs. 5,00,000 as compensation for the property. The High Court also awarded interest at the rate of 6 per cent on the amount of compensation from the date of notification for acquisition. 3. During the two previous years corresponding to the assessment years 1955-56 and 1956-57 the assessees received pursuant to the order of the High Court, a total sum of Rs. 6,28,716. In proceedings for assessment of tax for the assessment years 1955-56 and 1956-57, the Income-tax Officer apportioned the amount of Rs. 1,28,716 on the basis of actual receipts in the two previous years and assessed the amounts so apportioned to income-tax. The Appellate Assistant Commissioner held that the apportioned amounts were of the nature of revenue and not capital receipts, but in his view the income received was liable to be calculated on accrual basis year after year from the date of the notification for acquisition, and on that account the assessments of the previous years from 1950-51 to 1954-55 should be reopened and the interest which accrued in those years should be assessed. 4. The Commissioner of Income-tax and the assessees appealed to the Appellate Tribunal against the order of the Appellate Assistant Commissioner. The assessee submitted that Rs. 1,28,716 received as interest being part of compensation were not assessable to tax, whereas the Commissioner claimed that the Income-tax Officer was justified in assessing the amounts in the years in which they were received. The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal accepted the contention of the assessees that the receipts were not assessable to tax because they were of the nature of capital receipts. At the instance of the Commissioner, the Tribunal referred the two questions set out herein before. 5. Section 5 of the Requisitioned Land (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947 authorises the Government by which or under the authority of which land has been requisitioned, to acquire the land subject to requisition, by publishing a notice to the effect that the Government has decided to acquire such land. Section 6 of the Act provides, inter alia, that compensation payable to the owner of the land shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of the Defence of India Act, 1939, and the rules made thereunder. Section 19 of the Defence of India Act, 1939, sets out the principles for determining the compensation payable to a claimant. The amount of compensation may be fixed by agreement between the owner and the Government; where no such agreement is reached the Central Government is enjoined to appoint an arbitrator having the qualifications prescribed therein. Under Section 19 (1) (e) the arbitrator in making his award must have regard, inter alia, to the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 23 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in so far as the same can be made applicable. An appeal lies against the award of the arbitrator to the High Court. Sub-sections (2) and (3) of Section 19 confer upon the Central Government authority to frame rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of Section 19. In exercise of that power, the Government of India framed The Defence of India (Payment of Compensation and Arbitration) Rules, 1943 which amongst other provisions directed that the Collector shall pay compensation as soon as may be practicable. But neither Section 19 (1) of the Defence of India Act, nor the Rules framed under Section 19 (2) and (3) provide that interest shall be paid on the amount of compensation; in the present case, interest was, however, offered to be paid by the Collector; and the High Court also awarded interest on the amount of compensation from the date of the notification of acquisition. 6. It was held by this Court in Dr. Shamlal Narula v. Commissioner of Income-tax, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Patiala, 1964-53 ITR 151 = (AIR 1964 SC 1878 ) that the statutory interest paid under Section 34 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894,on the amount of compensation awarded from the date on which the Collector has taken possession of land compulsorily acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1894, is interest paid for delayed payment of the compensation and is a revenue receipt liable to tax under the Income-tax Act. It was observed in that case at p. 156 (of ITR) = (at p.l881 of AIR): * * * interest, whether it is statutory or contractual represents the profit the creditor might have made if he had the use of the money or the loss he suffered because he had not that use. It is something in addition to the capital amount, though it arises out of it. Under Section 34 of the Act when the legislature designedly used the word interest in contradistinction to the amount awarded, we do not see any reason why the expression should not be given the natural meaning it bears. The scheme of the Act and the express provisions thereof establish that the statutory interest payable under Section 34 is not compensation paid to the owner for depriving him of his right to possession of the land acquired, but that given to him for the deprivation of the use of the money representing the compensation for the land acquired. Counsel for the assessee however contended that the principle of Dr. Shamlal Naturals case, 1964-53 ITR151 = (AIR 1964 SC 1878 ) is not applicable to this case, since there is no provision in the Requisitioned Land (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947, and the Defence of India Act, 1939, and the rules framed thereunder for payment of interest on the amount of compensation. Counsel said that under the Act, the owner is paid not the market value of the property, but compensation determined in accordance with a highly artificial scheme, and that the interest paid in truth bears the same quality as compensation for deprivation of property and is on that account a capital receipt not exigible to tax. In support of his contention, counsel invited our attention to two decisions: Commissioner of Inland Revenue v. Ballantine (1924)8 Tax Cas 595 and Simpson (H. M. Inspector of Taxes) v. Executors of Bonner Maurice as Executor of Edward Kay, (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580.7. In Ballantines case, (1924) 8 Tax Cas 595 a claim of a firm of contractors against a railway company for additional costs, loss and damage was referred to arbitration. The arbitrator awarded to the claimant a sum of money mainly as damages, together with interest thereon at 5 per cent, per annum from the date of lodgment of claim until payment. The Revenue sought to charge the interest paid by the railway company to tax under Case III of Sch. D. of the Income Tax Act, 1918. It was held that the sum added in the name of interest was part of damages, and was not interest of money chargeable to income-tax under Case III of Sch. D. Lord President Clyde observed : Now it is familiar that an assessment of the kind may contain as one of its constituent elements an allowance in respect that the claimant has lain for a long time out of his remedy. The propriety of such an allowance may depend on the character of the claim, and its amount may depend on many considerations of which time is only one. But an interest calculation is a natural and legitimate guide to be used by an arbiter in arriving at what he thinks would be a fair amount. In most cases in which such an allowance is a constituent of an award it does not separately appear, but is slumped along with other elements in the gross sum decerned for; but there is nothing to prevent an arbiter, if he thinks it just and reasonable in a particular case, to make the allowance in the form of an actual interest calculation from a past date until the sum fixed as at that date is paid. In all such cases, however-whether the allowance is wrapped up in a slump award or is separately state in the decree-the interest calculation is used in modum aestimationis only. The interest is such merely in name, for it truly constitutes that part of the compensation decerned for which is attributable to the fact that the claimant has been kept of his due for a long period of time. It is not therefore interest of money chargeable under Case III of Schedule D. 8. In (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580 the executors of Kay, a naturalised British subject, who died during the First World War received, as the result of the peace treaty claims, amounts representing partly capital of securities, stocks and shares in Banks in Germany deposited by Kay partly interest and dividends and partly compensation under the Peace Treaty. In a proceeding for assessment of the receipt to tax it was held that the compensation computed on the basis of interest was not income for the purposes of income-tax. Lord Hanworth, M. R., observed at p. 601 : I want to add now one more word in reference to the sum which has been paid by way of compensation under Article 297. It is said in reference to that that, at least, arose at the time when it was paid under the order of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. It was a sum which was calculated as interest- * * * and it is interest, and therefore it is within the words of the Schedule, which undoubtedly impose a tax upon interest which arises or accrues to a person liable to tax. But is it interest? Is that its quality, or is it compensation estimated and measured in terms of interest? It appears to me quite clear that, apart from Article 297, no such sum could have been recovered. Lawrence, L. J., observed at p. 605 : Neither the fact that the compensation was measured by the amount of the interest, which but for the embargo placed upon the money by the German Government could have been earned by the Respondents nor the fact that part of the compensation was described as interest in the decision of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, in my judgment, has the effect of altering the character of the compensation paid to the Respondents. 9. But it must be noticed that liability to pay interest arose in Ballantines case, (1924) 8 Tax Cas 595 under the award of the arbitrator and in the Executors of Bonner Maurice as Executor of Edward Kays case, (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580 under the order of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal and in each case it was held that what was paid, though called interest, was in truth compensation for loss suffered on account of deprivation of property.According to the view taken by this Court in Dr. Shamlal Narulas case, 1964-53 ITR 151 = (AIR 1964 SC 1878 ) if the source of the obligation imposed by the statute to pay interest arises because the claimant is kept out of his money, the interest received is chargeable to tax as income. The same principle would apply if interest is payable under the terms of an agreement and the Court or the arbitrator gives effect to the terms of the agreement-express or implied - and awards interest which has been agreed to be paid. 10. It is therefore necessary to determine whether the obligation to pay interest awarded under the order of the High Court of Madras arose out of the statute or out of the award. In Satinder Singh v. Umrao Singh, (1961) 3 SCR 676 = (AIR 1961 SC 908 ) lands forming part of Cis-Sutlej Jagir were compulsorily acquired under the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, 1948. The claimants to the lands claimed in addition to statutory compensation interest from the date from which they were dispossessed and till the date of payment of compensation. The arbitrator appointed under the Act awarded interest on the amount of compensation and the High Court of Punjab in appeal confirmed the order. This Court held that the claimants were entitled to interest on the compensation amount from the date of dispossession till the date on which the amount of compensation was paid to the claimants. Section 5 of the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, 1948, set out the principles according to which compensation was to be paid in regard to the acquired property, and by clause (e) thereof it was provided that the arbitrator in making the award shall have regard to the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 23 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in so far as the same may be applicable. The Act contained no express provision for payment of interest on compensation determined by the arbitrator. This Court rejected the contention of the State of Punjab, that Sections 28 and 34 of the Land Acquisition Act which dealt with the payment of interest were not intended to apply to the proceedings before the arbitrator. It was observed : Stated broadly the act of taking possession of immovable property generally implied an agreement to pay interest on the value of the property and it is on this principle that a claim for interest is made against the State. The Court further observed : It would thus be noticed that the claim for interest proceeds on the assumption that when the owner of immovable property loses possession of it he is entitled to claim interest in place of right to retain possession. The question which we have to consider is whether the application of this rule is intended to be excluded by the Act of 1948, and as we have already observed, the mere fact that Section 5 (e) of the Act makes Section 23(1) of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 applicable we cannot reasonably infer that the Act intends to exclude the application of this general rule in the matter of the payment of interest. The Court also observed : When a claim for payment of interest is made by a person whose immovable property has been acquired compulsorily he is not making claim for damages properly or technically so called; he is basing his claim on the general rule that if he is deprived of his land he should be put in possession or compensation immediately; if not, in lieu of possession taken by compulsory acquisition interest should be paid to him on the said amount of compensation. The scheme of the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, l948 is similar to the scheme of the Requisitioned Land (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947. The Court in Satinder Singhs case, (l96l) 3 SCR 676 = (AIR 1961 SC 908 ) held that because of the injunction expressly to apply the provisions of Section 23 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in the determination of compensation, the application of Sections 28 and 34 dealing with the payment of interest on the amount awarded as compensation cannot be deemed excluded. The Court also held that when the owner of property is dispossessed pursuant to an order for compulsory acquisition an agreement that the acquiring authority will pay interest on the amount of compensation is implied. 11. The reasoning on which the right of the owner of the lands acquired to interest was affirmed in Satinder Singhs case, (1961) 3 SCR 676 = (AIR 1961 SC 908 ) prima facie, applies in this case. Counsel for the assessees contended that the application of Sections 28 and 34 of the Land Acquisition Act in proceedings for arbitration under the Requisitioned Lands (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947, was expressly excluded by Section 19 (1) (g) of the Defence of India Act which enacted that : Save as provided in this Section and in any rules made thereunder, nothing in any law for the time being. in force shall apply to arbitration under this Section. But Clause (g) is not susceptible of any such interpretation. Clauses (a) to (f) of Section 19 (1) are a Code relating to arbitration in determining the compensation payable to a person deprived of his property. Provisions relating to payment of interest are not, however, part of the law relating to arbitration and there is nothing in clause (g) which excludes the application of the substantive law relating to payment of interest when the arbitration is determining the amount of compensation. 12. We are therefore of the view that the principle on which (l924) 8 Tax Cas 595 and (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580 were based has no application to this case. It may be recalled that in those cases the arbitrator and the Arbitral Tribunal were in awarding interest, not seeking to give effect to or to recognize a right to interest, conferred by statute or contract. The source of the right to interest in both the cases did not arise from the statute or agreement.In the case on hand, the right to interest arose by virtue of the provisions of Sections 28 and 34 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the arbitrator and the High Court merely gave effect to that right in awarding interest on the amount of compensation. Interest received by the assessee was therefore properly held taxable.

Decision reasoning: 0[ds]According to the view taken by this Court in Dr. Shamlal Narulas case, 1964-53 ITR 151 = (AIR 1964 SC 1878  ) if the source of the obligation imposed by the statute to pay interest arises because the claimant is kept out of his money, the interest received is chargeable to tax as income. The same principle would apply if interest is payable under the terms of an agreement and the Court or the arbitrator gives effect to the terms of the agreement-express or implied - and awards interest which has been agreed to be paid11. The reasoning on which the right of the owner of the lands acquired to interest was affirmed in Satinder Singhs case, (1961) 3 SCR 676   = (AIR 1961 SC 908  ) prima facie, applies in this case12. We are therefore of the view that the principle on which (l924) 8 Tax Cas 595 and (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580 were based has no application to this case. It may be recalled that in those cases the arbitrator and the Arbitral Tribunal were in awarding interest, not seeking to give effect to or to recognize a right to interest, conferred by statute or contract. The source of the right to interest in both the cases did not arise from the statute or agreement.In the case on hand, the right to interest arose by virtue of the provisions of Sections 28 and 34 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the arbitrator and the High Court merely gave effect to that right in awarding interest on the amount of compensation. Interest received by the assessee was therefore properly held taxable9. But it must be noticed that liability to pay interest arose in Ballantines case, (1924) 8 Tax Cas 595 under the award of the arbitrator and in the Executors of Bonner Maurice as Executor of Edward Kays case, (1929) 14 Tax Cas 580 under the order of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal and in each case it was held that what was paid, though called interest, was in truth compensation for loss suffered on account of deprivation ofg to the view taken by this Court in Dr. Shamlal Narulas case,3 ITR 151 = (AIR 1964 SC 1878  ) if the source of the obligation imposed by the statute to pay interest arises because the claimant is kept out of his money, the interest received is chargeable to tax as income. The same principle would apply if interest is payable under the terms of an agreement and the Court or the arbitrator gives effect to the terms of theand awards interest which has been agreed to be paid10. It is therefore necessary to determine whetherthe obligation to pay interest awarded under the order of the High Court of Madras arose out of the statute or out of the. In Satinder Singh v. Umrao Singh, (1961) 3 SCR 676   = (AIR 1961 SC 908  ) lands forming part ofj Jagir were compulsorily acquired under the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, 1948. The claimants to the lands claimed in addition to statutory compensation interest from the date from which they were dispossessed and till the date of payment of compensation. The arbitrator appointed under the Act awarded interest on the amount of compensation and the High Court of Punjab in appeal confirmed the order. This Court held that the claimants were entitled to interest on the compensation amount from the date of dispossession till the date on which the amount of compensation was paid to the claimants. Section 5 of the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, 1948, set out the principles according to which compensation was to be paid in regard to the acquired property, and by clause (e) thereof it was provided that the arbitrator in making the award shall have regard to the provisions ofn (1) of Section 23 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in so far as the same may be applicable. The Act contained no express provision for payment of interest on compensation determined by the arbitrator. This Court rejected the contention of the State of Punjab, that Sections 28 and 34 of the Land Acquisition Act which dealt with the payment of interest were not intended to apply to the proceedings before the arbitrator. It was observed :Stated broadly the act of taking possession of immovable property generally implied an agreement to pay interest on the value of the property and it is on this principle that a claim for interest is made against the StateThe Court further observed :It would thus be noticed that the claim for interest proceeds on the assumption that when the owner of immovable property loses possession of it he is entitled to claim interest in place of right to retain possession. The question which we have to consider is whether the application of this rule is intended to be excluded by the Act of 1948, and as we have already observed, the mere fact that Section 5 (e) of the Act makes Section 23(1) of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 applicable we cannot reasonably infer that the Act intends to exclude the application of this general rule in the matter of the payment of interestThe Court also observed :When a claim for payment of interest is made by a person whose immovable property has been acquired compulsorily he is not making claim for damages properly or technically so called; he is basing his claim on the general rule that if he is deprived of his land he should be put in possession or compensation immediately; if not, in lieu of possession taken by compulsory acquisition interest should be paid to him on the said amount of compensationThe scheme of the East Punjab Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property (Temporary Powers) Act, l948 is similar to the scheme of the Requisitioned Land (Continuance of Powers) Act, 1947. The Court in Satinder Singhs case, (l96l) 3 SCR 676   = (AIR 1961 SC 908  ) held that because of the injunction expressly to apply the provisions of Section 23 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, in the determination of compensation, the application of Sections 28 and 34 dealing with the payment of interest on the amount awarded as compensation cannot be deemed excluded. The Court also held that when the owner of property is dispossessed pursuant to an order for compulsory acquisition an agreement that the acquiring authority will pay interest on the amount of compensation is implied.