DIRECTOR OF INCOME-TAX (EXEMPTION) VS DHARM PRATISTHANAM
2000 P T D 1281
[234 ITR 842]
[Delhi High Court (India)]
Before R. C. Lahoti and C. K. Mahajan, JJ
DIRECTOR OF INCOME-TAX (EXEMPTION)
versus
DHARM PRATISTHANAM
I.T.C. No.21 of 1997, decided on 20/07/1998.
(a) Income-tax---
----Reference---Income---Lawapplicable---Effectof S.2(24)(ii)(a)--- Voluntary contributions whether not taxable notwithstanding the provisions of S.2(24)(ii)(a)---Question of law---Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, Ss.2 & 256.
Held, that the question whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was correct in law in holding that voluntary contributions are not to be taxed as income notwithstanding the provisions of section 2(24)(ii)(a) of the Income Tax .Act, 1961, was a question of law:
Held also, that though in the case at hand the issue was not pursued further by filing a reference relevant to the assessment year 1985-86, yet the right of the petitioner to move this Court for the next year of assessment i.e., 1986-87 was not taken away inasmuch as every year's assessment proceedings is an independent proceedings in the eye, of law and the rule of res judicata is not in terms applicable to tax assessment proceedings.
CIT v. Chawla (M.) (1989) 177 ITR 299 (Delhi) fol.
(b) Income-tax-- -
---Res judicata-Principle not applicable to assessment proceedings.
R.D. Jolly with Ms. Premlata Barisal for Petitioner.
Nemo for Respondent.
JUDGMENT
Arrival of counsel for the respondent was awaited up to 12.25 p.m. Counsel for the petitioner submits that the particulars referred to in the last order are not available with the Department arid, therefore, in terms of the last order, the matter is taken up for hearing finally.
Perused the contents of paragraph 7 of the petition. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that an identical issue is arising for decision in several other matter;' though in the case at hand the issue was not pursued further by filing a reference relevant to the assessment year 1985-86, yet the right of the petitioner to move this Court for the next year of assessment, i.e., 1986-87, is not taken away inasmuch as every year's assessment proceedings is an independent proceedings in the eye of law and the rule of res judicata is not in terms applicable to the tax assessment proceedings. (see CIT v. M. Chawla (1989) 177 ITR 299 (Delhi).
As the question which is sought to be referred is a question of law arising from the order of the Tribunal, the Tribunal is directed to draw the statement of case and refer the following question for the opinion of the High Court:
"Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was correct in law in holding that the voluntary contributions are not to be taxed as income notwithstanding the provisions of section 2(24)(ii)(a) of the Act?"
No order as to costs.
M. B. A. /4047/FCOrder accordingly