WEALTH-TAX OFFICER v. J.P. AGARWAL (HUF)
[Citation -1985-LL-1205-9]

Citation 1985-LL-1205-9
Appellant Name WEALTH-TAX OFFICER
Respondent Name J.P. AGARWAL (HUF)
Court ITAT
Relevant Act Wealth-tax
Date of Order 05/12/1985
Assessment Year 1977-78
Judgment View Judgment
Keyword Tags immovable property • special bench
Bot Summary: The two fold objections of the Revenue are as follows: On the facts and in the circumstances of the case the AAC has erred in directing the ITO: to value the flat at Rs. 1,84,180 in terms of r. 1-BB as against Rs. 2,69,736 adopted by the WTO, to allow deduction under s. 5(i)(iv) in respect of flat. As far as the finding of the AAC that the valuation of the assessee s flat bearing No. 607 Angal Bhawan, New Delhi be determined in accordance with r. 1BB of the WT Rules is concerned, we find that it was in accordance with the decision of the Special Bench of the ITAT in the case of Biju Patnaik vs. WTO 12 TTJ 25: 1 SOT 623. Since we are in respectful agreement with the above mentioned Special Bench decision, we would uphold the order of the AAC which was in accordance with the decision. In support of these contentions reliance has been placed by the Departmental Representative on the decisions of the Hon ble Delhi High Court reported in CIT vs. Hans Raj Gupta 27 CTR 92: 137 ITR 195 and CWT vs. Meatles Ltd. 40 CTR 281: 153 ITR 201. It appears to us that in view of the Special Bench decision of the ITAT in the case of CIT vs. R. K. Sawhney 2 ITD 207, the assessee was entitled to the exemption under s. 5(1)(iv) of the WT Act. Apart form the support that we derive from the Special Bench decision of the ITAT, we are of the view that the expression assets as defined in the WT Act is of a very wide description and includes properties movable and immovable of all kinds. In Accordance with the above meaning given by the Hon ble Supreme Court to the word belonging and having regard to the decision of the Special Bench of the ITAT in the case of R. K. Sawhney and various other decisions where the word belonging has been interpreted by the Hon ble Courts and which decisions are reported as CED vs. Estates of Late Sanka Simhachalam 99 ITR 370, CED vs. Jyotimoy Raha 112 ITR 969, CED vs. Estate of Late R. Krishnamachari 1978 CTR 125: 113 ITR 200 and CWT vs. K. Ramachandra Chettiar 35 CTR 126: 141 ITR 771 we would hold that the appellant was entitled to exemption under s. 5(1)(iv) in respect of his flat at 607 Ansal Bhanwan.


two fold objections of Revenue are as follows: "On facts and in circumstances of case AAC has erred in directing ITO: (1) to value flat at Rs. 1,84,180 in terms of r. 1-BB as against Rs. 2,69,736 adopted by WTO, (2) to allow deduction under s. 5(i)(iv) in respect of flat. After hearing Shri S. K. Bansal. ld. Departmental Representative it appears to us that there is no substance in any one of contentions raised in this appeals. As far as finding of AAC that valuation of assessee s flat bearing No. 607 Angal Bhawan, New Delhi be determined in accordance with r. 1BB of WT Rules is concerned, we find that it was in accordance with decision of Special Bench of ITAT in case of Biju Patnaik vs. WTO (1981) 12 TTJ (Del) 25: (1982) 1 SOT 623 (Del). Since we are in respectful agreement with above mentioned Special Bench decision, we would uphold order of AAC which was in accordance with decision. Ground No. 1 in Departmental appeal, therefore, fails. It is next contended that AAC of WT Act had no justification in holding that assessee was entitled to deduction of Rs. 1 lakh under provisions of s. (5)(1)(iv) of WT Act, 1957 in respect of value of its above mentioned flat which was not registered in its name. In support of these contentions reliance has been placed by Departmental Representative on decisions of Hon ble Delhi High Court reported in CIT vs. Hans Raj Gupta (182) 27 CTR (Del) 92: (1982) 137 ITR 195 (Del) and CWT vs. Meatles (P) Ltd. (1984) 40 CTR 281 (Del): (1985) 153 ITR 201 (Del). It appears to us that in view of Special Bench decision of ITAT in case of CIT vs. R. K. Sawhney (1982) 2 ITD 207 (Del) (SB), assessee was entitled to exemption under s. 5(1)(iv) of WT Act. Apart form support that we derive from Special Bench decision of ITAT, we are of view that expression assets as defined in WT Act is of very wide description and includes properties movable and immovable of all kinds. According to us such definition would not only embrace within itself movable or immovable property but also include any interest in property. Since assessee had bundle of proprietary rights in aforementioned property it cannot be said that asset enjoyed by it was not entitled to exemption within meaning of s. 5(1)(iv). It has been held by their Lordships of Hon ble Supreme Court of India in case of Raja Mohd. Amjir Ahmad Khan AIR 1965 SC 1923 that word belonging could signify possession of interest which is lees than that of full ownership. Their Lordships observed as follows: "Though word belonging is capable of denoting absolute title, it is nevertheless not confined to connoting that sense. Even possession of interest less than that of full ownership could be signified by that word. In Accordance with above meaning given by Hon ble Supreme Court to word belonging and having regard to decision of Special Bench of ITAT in case of R. K. Sawhney and various other decisions where word belonging has been interpreted by Hon ble Courts and which decisions are reported as CED vs. Estates of Late Sanka Simhachalam (1975) 99 ITR 370 (AP), CED vs. Jyotimoy Raha (1978) 112 ITR 969 (Cal), CED vs. Estate of Late R. Krishnamachari 1978 CTR (Mad) 125: (1978) 113 ITR 200 (Mad) and CWT vs. K. Ramachandra Chettiar (1983) 35 CTR (Mad) 126: (1983) 141 ITR 771 (Mad) we would hold that appellant was entitled to exemption under s. 5(1)(iv) in respect of his flat at 607 Ansal Bhanwan. decisions cited by Shri Bansal. ld. Departmental Representative are given entirely on different facts and would, therefore, be inapplicable in context of present case. In conclusion, Departmental appeal fails and is hereby rejected. *** WEALTH-TAX OFFICER v. J.P. AGARWAL (HUF)
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