Upholding Equality: HC Strikes Down Discriminatory Circular on Charitable Trust Approvals

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Deciphering Legal Judgments: A Comprehensive Analysis of Case Law

Reported as:

2024 (4) TMI 499 - MADRAS HIGH COURT

Introduction

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of a recent judgement delivered by the High Court (HC) regarding the denial of regular approval u/s 80G(5) of the Income-Tax Act, 1961 (the Act) to newly established charitable trusts. The case revolves around the classification made by the respondents (tax authorities) in granting an extension of time for filing applications for approval u/s 80G(5) between existing and new trusts.

Arguments Presented

Petitioners' Arguments

The petitioners, representing various charitable trusts, argued that the impugned circular issued by the respondents, which failed to extend the due date for making applications for approval u/s 80G(5) for new trusts, was arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution (right to equality). They contended that:

The classification made by the respondents between existing and new trusts in granting the extension of time was unreasonable and lacked any intelligible differentia.
The denial of approval u/s 80G(5) would discourage potential donors from contributing to the trusts, jeopardizing their very existence.
Once the respondents decided to extend the time, the petitioners acquired a vested right, and the exclusion of new trusts from the extension was discriminatory.

Respondents' Arguments

The respondents, represented by the Additional Solicitor General of India, contended that:

The petitioner trusts did not have any vested right to claim an extension of time, as the grant of extension was an act of benevolence by the respondents.
The classification made between existing and new trusts was reasonable, and such differentiation was permissible.
The reasons for the distinction were provided in the counter-affidavit, which highlighted the differences between existing and new trusts in terms of their eligibility for deduction and the amendments made to Section 115TD of the Act.

Discussions and Findings of the Court

The court made the following observations and findings:

The petitioner trusts did not have any vested right to claim an extension of time, and the respondents had the power to grant extensions u/s 119(2)(b) of the Act.
Initially, no discrimination was made between existing and new trusts when the first circular (Circular No. 8 of 2022) was issued, granting an extension of time.
In the impugned Circular No. 6 of 2023, the stated reason for the extension was to mitigate genuine hardship faced by the trusts in filing applications on time. However, no reason was provided for omitting the clause related to Section 80G(5) for new trusts.
The respondents failed to provide any rationale or reasoning for the classification made between existing and new trusts regarding the approval u/s 80G(5).
The differential treatment was not based on any substantial distinction pertinent to the object of the circular, and the discrimination was artificial.
The impugned clause (ii) of Circular No. 6 of 2023, which excluded new trusts from the extension for approval u/s 80G(5), was arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, and therefore, ultra vires the Constitution.

Analysis and Decision by the Court

The court held that the classification made by the respondents in granting the extension of time for filing applications for approval u/s 80G(5) between existing and new trusts was unreasonable. The court found no intelligible differentia or rational nexus between the classification and the object sought to be achieved by the circular, which was to mitigate the genuine hardship faced by the trusts in filing applications on time.

Consequently, the court declared clause 5(ii) of Circular No. 6 of 2023 as illegitimate, arbitrary, and ultra vires the Constitution of India. The court directed the respondents to consider the applications submitted by the petitioners for recognition/approval u/s 80G(5) as within time and to pass orders on the merits within six months from the date of receipt of the order.

Doctrine or Principle Discussed

The court's decision was based on the principle of reasonable classification enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. The court reiterated the well-established tests for determining the reasonableness of a classification, as laid down by the Supreme Court in various judgments, such as:

The classification must be based on an intelligible differentia that distinguishes persons or things grouped from those left out.
The differentia must have a rational relationship to the object sought to be achieved by the statute or legislation.

Relied Upon or Followed Judgements

The court relied upon the following judgments of the Supreme Court:

Comprehensive Summary

The High Court, in this judgement, struck down clause 5(ii) of Circular No. 6 of 2023 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) as arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. The impugned clause failed to extend the due date for making applications for approval u/s 80G(5) of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, for newly established charitable trusts, while granting such an extension to existing trusts.

The court found that the classification made by the respondents (tax authorities) between existing and new trusts in granting the extension of time lacked any intelligible differentia or rational nexus with the object of mitigating the genuine hardship faced by the trusts in filing applications on time. The respondents could not provide any reasonable justification or rationale for the differential treatment.

Consequently, the court declared the impugned clause as ultra vires the Constitution and directed the respondents to consider the applications submitted by the petitioner trusts for approval u/s 80G(5) as within time and pass orders on the merits within six months.

The judgement reinforced the principle of reasonable classification enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution and the tests laid down by the Supreme Court for determining the reasonableness of a classification.

Full Text:

2024 (4) TMI 499 - MADRAS HIGH COURT