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Issues Involved:
1. Whether the transactions in question were financing transactions or leasing transactions. 2. Eligibility of the assessee for depreciation on leased assets. 3. Rate and quantification of depreciation if allowable. 4. Treatment of public rights issue expenses. 5. Deduction of expenses related to the purchase of garments for export. 6. Rectification of disallowance of right-cum-public issue expenses under section 154. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Financing vs. Leasing Transactions: The primary issue was whether the transactions were financing transactions or leasing transactions. The Assessing Officer (AO) argued that the transactions were essentially financing transactions disguised as leasing transactions, as evidenced by internal appraisal forms containing columns for "finance required," "period of loan," "interest rate," and "interest amount." The AO also noted that customers placed margin monies with the assessee, akin to borrower participation in loan transactions, and that vehicles were transferred to customers at the end of the lease period for an amount equivalent to the margin money. The CIT (Appeals) upheld the assessee's claim, treating the transactions as leases and allowing depreciation. However, the Tribunal concluded that the real intention of the parties was to engage in financing transactions, not leasing, and thus reversed the CIT (Appeals)' decision, restoring the AO's stance. 2. Eligibility for Depreciation: The assessee claimed depreciation on leased assets, asserting ownership and usage in the business of leasing. The AO denied this claim, treating the transactions as financing. The CIT (Appeals) allowed the claim, but the Tribunal reversed this decision, holding that the transactions were financing in nature, thus making the assessee ineligible for depreciation. 3. Rate and Quantification of Depreciation: The AO observed that even if depreciation were allowable, it should be reduced by the margin money contributed by the customer, as per section 43(1). Additionally, the AO stated that the assessee was not engaged in running vehicles on hire, and thus, a lower depreciation rate of 25% would apply instead of 40%. However, since the Tribunal concluded that the transactions were financing, the question of depreciation did not arise, and the AO's observations were rendered moot. 4. Treatment of Public Rights Issue Expenses: The AO treated public rights issue expenses of Rs. 94,22,217 as capital expenditure, disallowing them. The CIT (Appeals) allowed the expenses as revenue expenditure. The Tribunal reversed the CIT (Appeals)' decision, following Supreme Court judgments in Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. v. CIT and Brooke Bond India Ltd. v. CIT, and restored the AO's treatment of the expenses as capital expenditure. 5. Deduction of Garment Purchase Expenses: The AO disallowed Rs. 1,19,248 claimed for the purchase of garments, questioning its relevance to the assessee's business. The CIT (Appeals) allowed the deduction, finding that the expenditure was authorized by a board resolution for developing export markets. The Tribunal upheld the CIT (Appeals)' decision, dismissing the revenue's appeal on this ground. 6. Rectification under Section 154: The AO, under section 154, disallowed an additional Rs. 7,88,693 of right-cum-public issue expenses, which was initially treated as capital expenditure but not fully disallowed in the assessment order. The CIT (Appeals) cancelled the rectification order, following his decision on the main assessment. The Tribunal, aligning with its decision on the main appeal, set aside the CIT (Appeals)' order and restored the AO's rectification under section 154. Conclusion: The Tribunal allowed the department's appeals for all assessment years, reversing the CIT (Appeals)' decisions on key issues, including the nature of transactions (financing vs. leasing), eligibility for depreciation, and treatment of public rights issue expenses. The Tribunal upheld the CIT (Appeals)' decision only on the deduction of garment purchase expenses.
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