Punjab-Haryana High Court
Commissioner Of Income Tax vs Shri Jasjit Singh on 9 December, 2010
Author: Ajay Kumar Mittal
Bench: Adarsh Kumar Goel, Ajay Kumar Mittal
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
ITA No. 418 of 2007
Date of Decision: 9.12.2010
Commissioner of Income Tax, Panchkula
....Appellant.
Versus
Shri Jasjit Singh
...Respondent.
CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL.
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY KUMAR MITTAL.
PRESENT: Mr. Yogesh Putney, Advocate for the appellant.
None for the respondent.
AJAY KUMAR MITTAL, J.
1. This Court vide order dated December 17, 2007 had admitted the appeal for determination of the following substantial question of law:-
"Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the income by way of interest on enhanced compensation has not been determined so far when the assessee has actually received the amount a long back?"
2. We have heard learned counsel for the appellant.
3. The point that arises in this appeal is whether the interest on enhanced compensation is taxable in the hands of the assessee in the year of receipt.
ITA No. 418 of 2007 -2-
4. The similar issue came up for consideration before this Court in ITA No. 209 of 2004 (The Commissioner of Income Tax, Faridabad v. Bir Singh (HUF) Ballabgarh) decided on 27.10.2010, wherein it was concluded as under:-
"(a) that 'income from Business or profession' and 'income from other sources' are ascertain on the basis of system of accountancy followed by the assessee;
(b) where assessee is not maintaining books of accounts by adopting any specific method, it shall be treated to be cash system of accountancy;
(c) the interest under Section 34 to be awarded by the Collector partakes the characters of compensation and is taxable in the year of receipt in view of Section 45(5)(b) of the Act; and
(d) under cash system of accountancy, the element of interest awarded by the Court received on enhanced amount of compensation under Section 28 of the 1894 Act falls for taxation under Section 56 as 'income from other sources' in the year of receipt."
5. In view of the above, the appeal is allowed and the question of law is answered in favour of the revenue and against the assessee.
(AJAY KUMAR MITTAL)
JUDGE
December 9, 2010 (ADARSH KUMAR GOEL)
gbs JUDGE