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Interpretation of the definition of "gift" under the Gift-tax Act, 1958 in relation to the blending of share capital in a joint family account. Applicability of the amending Act and its retrospective effect on transactions made prior to its enforcement. Interpretation of relevant provisions of the Gift-tax Act and their implications on the assessment of gift-tax. Analysis: The case involved a dispute regarding the classification of a transaction where a partner in a firm blended his share capital into a joint family account, leading to a question of whether it constituted a taxable gift under the Gift-tax Act, 1958. The petitioner contended that the blending did not amount to a gift as per the Act's definition at the time of the transaction. However, the assessing authorities held that the transaction fell under the amended provisions of the Act, specifically section 4(2), making it subject to gift-tax. The key issue revolved around the retrospective application of the amending Act to transactions preceding its enforcement date. The petitioner argued that since the blending occurred before the enforcement of the amending Act, it should not be subject to gift-tax. However, the court emphasized that the charging section of the Act, section 3, made it clear that gift-tax was applicable for the assessment year commencing from April 1, 1972, which included the transaction date. The court cited precedents to support the view that the law in force during the assessment year applies unless expressly stated otherwise. The judgment delved into the interpretation of relevant provisions of the Gift-tax Act, particularly section 4(2), which deemed certain transfers as gifts. The court highlighted that the amending Act introduced section 4(2) with effect from April 1, 1972, encompassing transactions like the blending of share capital into joint family assets. By analyzing the legislative intent and the scheme of the Act, the court concluded that the blending constituted a taxable gift under the Act for the assessment year 1972-73. In conclusion, the court upheld the assessing authorities' decision that the blending of share capital into the joint family account qualified as a gift under the Act. The judgment favored the Department, ruling against the petitioner, and imposed costs on the petitioner for raising a frivolous dispute. The comprehensive analysis considered the legal definitions, precedents, and legislative intent to resolve the dispute regarding the applicability of gift-tax on the transaction in question.
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