II. As per share purchase agreement dated 28-01-06, 20 crore shares
equal to 14.78% of the shares of M/s. GACL were transferred by
promoters group in off market transaction at Rs.105/- per share. In
the said agreement an implied understanding was there to
ultimately confer on Holcim the control of the company by the
ITA Nos.770-774/Kol/2010
41
promoters. This being so, as per SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of
Shares & Takeovers) Regulations 1997, Regulation-12 came in
force and the requirement of the Regulation was complied with by
the purchaser by making requisite public offer at Rs.90.64 per share.
However, by the said open offer Holcim was able to get only
.3,66,481 shares thereby holding less than 15% share of GACL as
the close of the open offer. If control of the company was not handed
over to Holcim, there was no need to comply with Regulations-12 of
SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares & Takeovers) Regulations
1997. Even the shareholders' agreement dated 30-01-06 abundantly
makes it clear that by agreement dated 28-01-06 controlling interest
was transferred to Holcim
III. The department has contended that the view expressed by the
Hon'ble Jurisdictional High Court in the case of Mahadeo Ram
Kumar (supra) and that of Maharani Usha Devi & Venkatesh
(Minor) of Hon'ble Madras High Court are applicable in the facts of
the case. SEBI Regulations 1997 has not changed the applicability
of the above decisions in the present case. This view is not
sustainable in law. Where specific provisions do not exist in the
income-tax Act, in order to understand and interpret a transaction
and legal rights flowing therefrom, it has to be interpreted and
understood with reference to the other laws as applicable to the
transaction.