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Issues involved: Determination of whether the assessee-company was carrying on any business during the relevant accounting periods for the assessment years 1962-63, 1964-65 to 1969-70.
Summary: The case involved M/s. Bharat Insurance Co. Ltd., a limited company, disputing the claim of carrying on business during the years in question. The company derived income from "Interest on securities" without dispute, but the contention was regarding the business activities conducted. The dispute arose from the interpretation of the Insurance Act, 1938, and the registration status of the company for miscellaneous insurance business. The Income Tax Officer (ITO) initially held that no business was carried out by the assessee, emphasizing the lack of a general insurance license and the absence of business transactions in recent years. The Appellate Authority Commissioner (AAC) agreed with the ITO's findings, noting the absence of a license and the company's amendment to remove insurance business as an object. However, the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal ruled in favor of the assessee, highlighting the ongoing nature of the business activities related to fidelity bonds despite reinsurance arrangements. The Tribunal's decision was based on the interpretation of business as a continuous activity, encompassing even quiescent or isolated ventures. The statutory provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, were crucial in determining that the assessee's activities with fidelity bonds constituted carrying on business. The Tribunal emphasized the statutory continuity of rights and liabilities despite registration cancellation, leading to the conclusion that the assessee was indeed engaged in business activities related to the fidelity bonds. Ultimately, the reference was answered in favor of the assessee, indicating that business activities were indeed carried out during the relevant periods. No costs were awarded based on the facts and circumstances of the case.
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