Case: Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi and Rajasthan Vs. Hira Lal Kapur Chand

There was a sale of jewellery in 1937 to the Prince of Berar. The main question that fell for decision was whether the sale was by the firm known as M/s. Babu Mal & Co. or whether it was by an association of persons consisting of Kapur Chand and his brother Hira Lal. It appears that Kapur Chand and Hira Lal were partners of the firm M/s. Babu Mal & Co. The right to collect the price of the jewellery sold to the Prince of Berar appears to have been allotted to the share of Kapur Chand and Hira Lal by the arbitrator who divided the assets of M/s. Babu Mal & Co. amongst the various partners of that firm. TheOfficer assessed Kapur Chand and Hira Lal as an association of persons in respect of the profits said to have arisen as a result of the sale of jewellery to the Prince of Berar. Kapur Chand and Hira Lal denied their liability to be taxed on the profit in question. According to them they cannot be held liable for the sale of the jewellery in question on the sole ground that the right to collect the price of those jewellery had been assigned to their share. TheOfficer rejected the plea of Kapur Chand and Hira Lal and assessed them in respect of the profits said to have arisen as a result of the sale of those jewellery as an association of persons. That order was affirmed by the Appellate Assistant Commissioner. The Tribunal, however, set aside the order of assessment. It came to the conclusion that there was no evidence to show that the transaction in question was effected by Kapur Chand and Hira Lal but all the same the Tribunal directed theOfficer to proceed to find out as to who was responsible for the transaction and assess the profits arising therefrom in the hands of that person. Thereafter, the department wanted the Tribunal to refer certain questions claimed by it to be questions of law arising from its order to the High Court for its opinion. The Tribunal rejected that prayer, and held that no question of law arose from its order. Aggrieved by that decision, the department moved the High Court to direct the Tribunal to state a case and refer the questions mentioned by it in its application to the High Court for its opinion. The High Court agreed with the Tribunal that no question of law arose from the order of the Tribunal.

Court's reasoning:
We are in agreement with the High Court that no question of law arises from the order of the Tribunal. The findings of the Tribunal are essentially findings of fact