ITO (E), New Delhi V. M/s. Wrestling Federation of India, New Delhi

ITA 2063/DEL/2017

• Counselvise Citation: [2018] 118 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 9842 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 1 year(s) 7 month(s) 27 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 03-12-2018
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: SMC
• Assessment Year: 2012-2013
• Appeal Filed On: 06-04-2017
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: SANJAY TRIPATHI
• Assessee Lawyers: K P GANGULI
• Keywords: Business income; Charitable institution; TDS
• Section: 12A; 10B; 11

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME-TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, DELHI BENCH G, NEW DELHI BEFORE : SHRI H.S. SIDHU, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI L.P. SAHU, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ITA NO. 4755/DEL/2016 ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2010-11 INCOME TAX OFFICER (E), WARD 2(3), NEW DELHI. (APPELLANT) VS. WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA, ROOM NO. 10 & 11, NDMC BUILDING, PALIKA PLACE, PANCHKUIAN ROAD, NEW DELHI. PAN- AAATW0613M (RESPONDENT) ITA NO. 2063/DEL/2017 ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2012-13 INCOME TAX OFFICER (E), WARD 2(3), NEW DELHI. (APPELLANT) VS. WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA, 21, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI . PAN- AAATW0613M (RESPONDENT) APPELLANT BY SH. SANJAY TRIPATHI, SR. DR RESPONDENT BY SH. K.P. GANGULI, ADVOCATE ORDER PER L.P. SAHU, A.M.: THESE TWO APPEALS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY THE REVENU E AGAINST TWO ORDERS PASSED BY THE LD. CIT (AS) 36 AND 40 FOR THE ASSESS MENT YEARS 2010-11 AND DATE OF HEARING 01.11.2018 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT 03.12.2018 ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 2 2012-13 DATED 09.06.2016 AND 23.01.2017 RESPECTIVEL Y ON THE FOLLOWING GROUND OF APPEALS : GROUNDS RAISED IN APPEAL NO.4755/DEL/2016 (A.Y. 20 10-11): 1. ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CAS E AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) HAS ERRED IN ALLOWING THE APPEAL OF THE ASSES SEE IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS NOT OBTAINED APPROVAL U/S. 11(1)(C ) FROM THE CBDT TO INCUR THE EXPENDITURE OUTSIDE INDIA FOR A CHARITABLE PURP OSE WHICH TENDS TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL WELFARE IN WHICH INDIA IS INT ERESTED TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH INCOME IS APPLIED TO SUCH PURPOSE OUTSID E INDIA. 2. ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CAS E AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) HAS ERRED IN IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE RECEI PTS ARE ON ACCOUNT OF SPONSORSHIP FEE AND ROYALTY ARE IN THE NATURE OF BU SINESS INCOME WITHIN THE MEANING OF PROVISIONS OF SUB-SECTION 4A OF SECTION 11 OF THE I.T. ACT. THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO MAINTAIN SEPARATE BOOKS OF ACCOU NTS AS PER SUB SECTION 4A OF THE SECTION 11 OF THE I.T. ACT. GROUND RAISED IN APPEAL NO.4755/DEL/2016 (A.Y. 2010 -11): 1. ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CA SE AND IN LAW, THE LD. CIT(A) HAS ERRED IN LAW IN IGNORING THE FACT THAT TH E RECEIPTS ARE ON ACCOUNT OF SPONSORSHIP AND ROYALTY ARE IN THE NATURE OF BUS INESS INCOME AND HITS THE AMENDED PROVISO OF SECTION 2(15) OF THE INCOME TAX A CT, 1961. 2. THE FACTS ATTENDING TO BOTH THESE APPEALS ARE SI MILAR IN NATURE AND THEREFORE, BOTH THESE APPEALS ARE BEING DISPOSED OF BY THIS CONSOLIDATED ORDER FOR THE SAKE OF CONVENIENCE AND BREVITY. WE, THEREF ORE, TAKE UP THE APPEAL FOR A.Y. 2010-11, THE DECISION ON WHICH WILL APPLY MUTATIS MUTANDIS IN APPEAL FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2012-13. ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 3 3. THE BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE THAT THE ASSESSE E IS A SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1860 VIDE REGISTR ATION NO. S 3225 DATED 22/01/1967. THE SOCIETY IS ALSO REGISTERED UNDER SE CTION 12A OF THE INCOME TAX ACT VIDE REGISTRATION NUMBER DIT(E)/2004-05/W-171/0 3/120 DATED 27.04.2004 AND CLAIMED EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 11/1 2 OF THE INCOME TAX ACT. THE ASSESSEE SHOWING NIL INCOME, FILED FORM NO. 10B . THE CASE WAS SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY AND STATUTORY NOTICES WERE ISSUED TO THE A SSESSEE. DURING THE COURSE OF SCRUTINY PROCEEDINGS THE ASSESSING OFFICER OBSERVED THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS SHOWN ROYALTY INCOME OF RS. 2,45,000/- AND SPONSOR SHIP FEE OF RS. 12,75,000/-. HE ALSO OBSERVED THAT THESE AMOUNTS HAVE NOT BEEN R ECEIVED FROM THE MEMBERS; THEREFORE, IT IS IN THE NATURE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS . THE ASSESSEE HAD CLAIMED EXEMPTION ON THE ABOVE AMOUNTS. IN THIS REGARD THE ASSESSEE WAS ASKED TO JUSTIFY THIS CLAIM. REPLY WAS FILED BY THE ASSESSEE . THE LD. ASSESSING OFFICER OBSERVED THAT THE END USE OF BUSINESS PROFIT FOR CH ARITABLE PURPOSE IS OF NO RELEVANCE DUE TO AMENDMENT IN SECTION 2(15) AND THE PAYER HAS ALSO DEDUCTED TDS, SINCE THE MAIN ACTIVITY OF THE ASSESSEE FALLS UNDER THE CATEGORY OF GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITY, THEREFORE, THE FIRST PROVISO TO SE CTION 2(15) OF THE ACT IS INVOKED AND RECEIPT ON ACCOUNT OF ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP F EE IS STATED AS BUSINESS INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF FIRST PROVISO TO SECTION 2 (15) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT AND NO EXPENDITURES HAVE BEEN IN CURRED BY THE ASSESSEE TOWARDS EARNING OF THESE INCOMES. THEREFORE, HE ADD ED THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF RS. 15,20,000/- ( RS. 2,45,000+12,75,000) AS INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE. HE FURTHER OBSERVED FROM THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT OF THE ASSESSEE THAT THE ASSESSEE DEBITED A SUM OF RS. 1,18,72,543/- FOR INT ERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EXPENSES AND INCURRED OUTSIDE INDIA. IN THIS REGARD THE ASSESSEE WAS ASKED TO JUSTIFY AND ISSUED SHOW CAUSE NOTICE REGARDING THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED OUTSIDE ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 4 INDIA FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF SPORTS AS PER SECTION 11 (1) ( C ) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT. IN RESPONSE TO SHOW CAUSE NOTICE, THE ASSESSEE FILED REPLY DATED 01.03. 2013 AND 18/03/2013. IN THE REPLY THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT AS PER FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT (CURRENCY ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS) RULES, 2000, INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL/STATE-LEVEL SPORTS BODIES AR E NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE PERMISSION OF THIS MINISTRY OR RESERVE BANK OF INDI A FOR REMITTANCE OF PRIZE MONEY/SPONSORSHIP OF SPORTS ACTIVITY AND HE ALSO RE FERRED TO SCHEDULE II OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT (CURRENCY ACCOUNT TRANS ACTIONS) RULES, 2000, WHICH CLEARLY SAYS THAT PRIOR APPROVAL OF CENTRAL G OVERNMENT IS NOT REQUIRED IN CASE OF REMITTANCE OF PRIZE MONEY/SPONSORSHIP OF SP ORTS ACTIVITY ABROAD INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL/STATE-LEVEL SPORTS BODIES. T HE ASSESSEE IS AN ORGANISATION OF NATIONAL LEVEL. THE LD. ASSESSING OFFICER NOTED THAT OUT OF RS. 1,18,72,543/- A SUM OF RS. 98,27,626/- HAVE BEEN INCURRED FOR PURCH ASE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY FROM NEW FOUND LAND ENTERPRISES (P) LTD. AND GIVEN TO WFI REPRESENTATIVES GOING FOR COMPETITIONS ABROAD FOR INCURRING IT OUTS IDE INDIA PERTAINING TO INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. EXPENSES HAVE BEEN INCU RRED OUTSIDE INDIA WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE CBDT IN THIS BEHALF AS ENVISA GED UNDER SECTION 11 (1) ( C ) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, THEREFORE, THE ASSESSING OFF ICER DISALLOWED A SUM OF RS. 98,27,626/- FOR NON APPLICATION OF INCOME IN INDIA AND ADDED INTO THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE. AGGRIEVED FROM THE ORDER OF THE LD. ASSESSING OFFICER THE ASSESSEE APPEALED BEFORE THE LD. CIT (A) AND MADE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS BEFORE HIM ALSO. THE LD. CIT (A) AFTER CONSIDERING THE ORD ER OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER AND SUBMISSIONS OF THE ASSESSEE, ALLOWED THE APPEAL OF THE ASSESSEE. THE REVENUE WAS NOT SATISFIED FROM THE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT (A) . HENCE, THIS APPEAL BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL BY REVENUE. ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 5 4. THE LD. DR RELIED ON THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER AND SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE IS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, RECEIVING ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEE AS INCOME AND THE PAYER HAS ALSO MA DE TDS ON THE PAYMENTS MADE TO THE ASSESSEE, WHICH CANNOT BE DEEMED TO BE INCURRED AS A CHARITABLE PURPOSE AS PER AMENDED PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2 (15) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT. THEREFORE, THE EXEMPTION U/S 11/12 OF THE INCOME TA X ACT HAS RIGHTLY BEEN DENIED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER. HE FURTHER SUBMITT ED THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS INCURRED EXPENDITURE FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOREIGN CU RRENCY INDIA, WHICH CANNOT BE TERMED AS AN APPLICATION OF INCOME IN INDIA BECA USE THE FOREIGN CURRENCY WAS SPENT OUTSIDE INDIA. IN VIEW OF THE FACT AND CIRCUM STANCES OF THE CASE THE ORDER OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER SHOULD BE RESTORED. 5. THE LD. AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ASSESSE E RELIED ON THE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT (A) AND REITERATED THE SUBMISSIONS MADE BEFORE CIT (A). HE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE ASSESSEE IS ENGAGED IN ORGANISIN G THE SPORTS OF WRESTLING WITHIN AND OUTSIDE INDIA AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA ( WFI ) . THE ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEE HAV E BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE ORGANISING OF SPORTS. IT IS NOT A REGULAR BUSINESS INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE. HE FURTHER SUBMITTED THAT THE FOREIGN CURRENCY WAS PUR CHASED FOR THE SPORTSMAN TO MEET OUT THE EXPENDITURE ON THEIR STAY OUTSIDE INDI A AND FOR LODGING AND BOARDING DURING THE TOURNAMENTS. AS PER THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT (CURRENCY ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS) RULES, 2000, INTERN ATIONAL/NATIONAL/STATE- LEVEL SPORTS BODIES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE PERMIS SION OF MINISTRY OR RESERVE BANK OF INDIA FOR REMITTANCE OF PRIZE MONEY / SPONS ORSHIP OF SPORTS ACTIVITY OUTSIDE INDIA. THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN FOREIGN EXC HANGE DURING INTERNATIONAL EVENTS ARE NOT THE EXPENSES OF WFI AS WFI RECEIVE T HE GRANT-IN-AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TOWARDS THE BOARDING / LODGING ETC. FOR THE TEAM MEMBERS ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 6 WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS. THE AS SESSEE HAS FOLLOWED THE GUIDELINES OF THE MINISTRY, THEREFORE, SECTION 11 ( 1) ( C ) WILL NOT APPLY. THE LD. CIT (A) IS JUSTIFIED TO DELETE THE ADDITIONS MADE B Y THE ASSESSING OFFICER. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE THE LD. AR ALSO FILED PAPER B OOK CONTAINING 98 PAGES IN WHICH HE HAS SUBMITTED A WRITTEN SYNOPSIS AND RELYI NG SOME CASE LAWS AS UNDER : - (2015) 372 ITR 699 (SC) QUEENS EDUCATIONAL SOCIET VS CIT - (2015) 43 ITR 656 ( TRIB) DELHI DIT (EXEMPTION) VS ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION . - (2018) 403 ITR 49 ( DELHI) DIT (E) VS DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL SOCIETY - (2018) 400 ITR 0066 (AP) PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX VS INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH IN BANKIN G TECHNOLOGY. - (2017) 58 ITR ( TRIB) 0431 ( CHENNAI) DY COMMISSION ER OF INCOME TAX VS TAMIL NADU CRICKET ASSOCIATION . - (2017) 55 ITR ( TRIB) 149 ( DELHI) SOCIETY FOR PART ICIPATION RESEARCH IN ASIA VS INCOME TAX OFFICER (E). 6. AFTER HEARING THE BOTH SIDES AND PERUSING THE EN TIRE MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON RECORD AND ORDERS OF THE AUTHORITIES BELOW, WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT THE LD. CIT (A) HAS DONE GOOD REASONED ORDER WHICH NEEDS NO IN TERFERENCE. THE FINDINGS REACHED BY THE LD. CIT(A) IN THE IMPUGNED ORDER REA D AS UNDER : 7. DURING THE APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS THE ASSESSEE S UBMITTED THAT IT IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT SOCIETY PROMOTED BY THE GOVT. OF INDIA AND DULY REG ISTERED UNDER THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1860. IT IS A CHARITABLE TRUST AND ITS INCOME IS NOT LIABLE TO TAX. THE AO ADDED RECEIPTS OF RS.15,20,000/- AS BUSINESS INCOME BUT DID NOT CO NSIDER THE RELATED EXPENSES FOR THE SAID RECEIPTS. THE ASSESSEE COMES UNDER 5 TH LIMB OF THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE I.E. ADVANCEMENT OF ANY OTHER OBJECT OF GENERAL PUBLIC U TILITY AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS CARRIED OUT AMONG THE MEMBERS FOR THE PROMOTION OF SPORTS & GAMES IS NOT CONSIDERED COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES BUT CHARITABLE PURPOSE U/S. 2 (15) OF THE ACT. SUCH ENTITIES WILL NOT BE ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 7 ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTION U/S 11 IF THEY CARRY ON COMM ERCIAL ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, WHETHER SUCH ENTITY IS CARRYING ON AN ACTIVITY IN THE NATUR E OF TRADE, COMMERCE OR BUSINESS IS A QUESTION OF FACT WHICH WILL BE DECIDED BASED ON THE NATURE, SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF THE ACTIVITY. REGARDING DISALLOWANCE OF RS. 98,27,696/ - IN RESPECT OF APPLICATION OF INCOME, THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED THAT DURING THE YEAR, AMOUNT OF RS. 98,27,696/- WAS INCURRED FOR PURCHASE OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES DISBURSED IN INDIA T O 'INDIA TEAM MEMBER' FOR PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS ON ACCOUNT OF TA/DA. THIS EXPENSES WAS INCURRED OUT OF THIS SPECIFIC PURPOSE GRANT SANCTIONED AND RECEIVED FROM 'GOVT. OF INDIA.' THE GOVT. RELEASE THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE GRANT IN INDIA CURRENCY AND 'WFI' BEING A FACILITATING AGENCY IS REQUIRED TO DISBURSE THE PAYMENT TO THE TEAM MEMBERS IN CHF (SW ISS FRANCE OR US $ AS PER THE REQUIREMENT OF THE FILA AND ORGANIZING FEDERATION). AS PER THE STIPULATED CONDITIONS OF THE SANCTION, F OREIGN CURRENCY IS DISBURSED IN INDIA TO THE SPECIFIC PARTICIPANT/TEAM MEMBER BY M/S NEW FOU ND LAND ENTERPRISES PVT. LTD. WHO RAISES THEIR INVOICE IN 'WFI, IN RESPECT OF CURRENC Y DISBURSED BY THEM TO THE 'INDIA TEAM MEMBERS' AND WFI IN-TURN MAKES PAYMENT/REIMBURSEMEN T IN INDIA RUPEES TO M/S NEW FOUND LAND ENTERPRISES PVT. LTD. DURING THE COURSE OF ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS IT WAS SUBMITTED AND DEMONSTRATED THAT ON THIS ACCOUNT, TH E ENTIRE PAYMENT WAS MADE IN INDIA, IN INDIAN RUPEES AND NO AMOUNT WAS EVER SPENT/INCUR RED BY WFI OUTSIDE INDIA. HOWEVER, THE AO WITHOUT APPRECIATING THE FACTS OF THE CASE, INVOKED SECTION L1(L)(C). REGARDING DISALLOWANCE OF TELEPHONE EXP. RS. 42,480 OUT OF R S. 91,947 CLAIMED BY THE ASSESSEE, IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT EXPENSES RELATED TO SH. G.G MAND ER, PRESIDENT OF WFI BUT THE ACTUAL USER OF THE SAID TELEPHONE CONNECTION IS THE PREMIS ES OF THE FEDERATION OFFICE. THE ASSESSEE RELIED ON A NUMBER OF CASE LAWS, MAINLY ON THE DECISION IN CASE OF ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (2015), 43 ITR 656. 8. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ASSESSMENT ORDER & SUBMI SSIONS MADE BY THE ASSESSEE & THE CASE LAWS QUOTED. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE FEDERA TION IS TO PROMOTE THE GAME OF WRESTLING BOTH AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LE VEL. THE MAJOR ISSUE OF ADDITION IN THE CASE ARE WHETHER THE PROVISO TO SECTION 2(15) APPLI ES IN VIEW OF .THE RECEIPTS UNDER THE HEAD OF ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEE AS THE ASSESSEE IS INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVITIES PERTAINING TO OBJECTS OF GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITY. SECONDLY, WHE THER PROVISO TO SECTION L1(1)(C) APPLIES TO THE ASSESSEE CASE AS THE INCOME HAS BEEN APPLIED FO R PAYMENT FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY TO THE TEAM PARTICIPANTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN COMPETITION OUTSIDE INDIA AND THE APPROVAL OF CBDT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN. THE THIRD ISSUE IS WHETHER TELE PHONE EXPENSES OF RS.42,480/- ARE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 13(1)(C) R.W.S 13(3) OF THE AC T. IT IS SEEN THAT THE ASSESSEE IS A SPORT BODY RECOGNISED BY THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AN D SPORTS FOR PROMOTION OF WRESTLING IN INDIA. THE AO WHILE ASSESSING HAS TREATED THE ROYAL TY AND THE SPONSOR RECEIPTS AS BUSINESS INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE ALLEGING THAT IT WAS CARRYIN G ON A ACTIVITY IN THE NATURE OF TRADE, COMMERCE OR BUSINESS. THE ASSESSEE HAS RELIED UPON THE CASE OF ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION ADJUDICATED BY DELHI ITAT VIDE ORDER DAT ED 23.09.2015 AND IN THE CASE OF NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF INDIA VIDE ORDER DATE D 25.04.2016. IN THE CASE OF ALL INDIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION A.Y. 2009-10 (43 ITR 656), THE ITAT DELHI HAS ADJUDICATED AS UNDER: '37. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE DISCUSSION AND JUDICIAL P RONOUNCEMENTS, WHAT NEEDS TO BE EMPHASISED IS WHETHER THE RECEIPT OF AMOUNTS BY WAY OF SPONSORSHIP FROM VARIOUS PARTIES ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 8 WOULD MAKE THE ACTIVITY 'COMMERCIAL' AS HELD BY THE AG. THE MERE FACT THAT THE APPELLANT SOCIETY HAD GENERATED SPONSORSHIP FUNDS, DURING THE COURSE OF CARRYING ON THE ANCILLARY OBJECTS, SHALL NOT ALTER THE CHARACTER OF THE MAIN OBJECTS SO LONG AS THE PREDOMINANT OBJECT CONTINUES TO BE CHARITABLE AND NOT TO EARN TH E PROFIT. 38. THEREFORE, WE HOLD THAT THE RESPONDENT ASSESSEE IS ENTITLED TO EXEMPTION OF INCOME UNDER THE PROVISION OF SECTION 11 OF THE ACT. FURTH ER, THE PROVISO OF SECTION 2(15) OF THE ACT CANNOT BE APPLIED TO THE APPELLANT SOCIETY AS IT IS NOT ENGAGED IN ANY ACTIVITY WHICH IS IN THE NATURE OF TRADE, COMMERCE AND BUSINESS. ACCOR DINGLY, WE DIRECT THE AG TO ALLOW THE EXEMPTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 11 OF THE ACT. 39. WE THEREFORE DISMISS THIS GROUND OF THE REVENUE . ' IN CASE OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF INDIA, THE ITAT IN ITS ORDER DATED 25.04.2016 ADJUDICATED AS UNDER: '6. APPLYING THE RATIO LAID DOWN IN THE ABOVE CASES TO THE FACTS OF THE PRESENT CASE, WE HAVE NO DEMUR TO HOLD THAT THE OBJECTS OF THE RESPO NDENT ASSESSEE ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING SHOOTING BEING THE NATIONAL GAME AND AIMIN G AT BUILDING OF WORLD CLASS TEAMS HAVING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. THE QUESTION OF PRI VATE GAIN OR PROFIT MOTIVE CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ASSESSEE BEING ASSOCIATION WHICH P ROMOTES SHOOTING WITH SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA. RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE ABOV E DECISIONS OF THE HON'BLE APEX COURT AS WELL AS THE TRIBUNAL, WE ARE INCLINED TO HOLD THAT THE HANDLING CHARGE AND THE 'SPONSORSHIP FEES ARE RECEIVED WHICH ARE INCIDENTAL FOR THE FULFILMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY AND AS SUCH, THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ADDITIONS MADE BY THE AO AND ACCORDINGLY, THE SAME ARE DELETED. ACCORDINGLY, GRO UND RAISED BY THE REVENUE STANDS DISMISSED. ' 9. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE ASSESSEE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY BUSINESS ACTIVITY AS THERE IS NO APPARENT MOTIVE TO EARN PROFIT. THE ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEES WHICH ARE RECEIVED ARE INCIDENTAL FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSEE. THE RECEIPTS ARE NOT BEING USED AS BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN ORDER TO BE UTILISED AS PROFIT TO ANY PERSON BUT INSTEAD IS USED TO PROMOTE THE SPORT OF WRESTLI NG. THOUGH THE ASSESSEE HAS OBJECTIVES OF GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITY, CONSIDERING T HE ACTIVITIES AND THE OBJECTS OF THE FEDERATION AS ALSO GOING BY THE CASE LAWS QUOTED AB OVE, THE PROVISO TO SECTION 2(15) SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE ASSESSEE. THE ADDITION MADE ON ACCOUNT OF ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEES MAY THEREFORE BE DELETED. 10. NEXT IS THE ISSUE OF EXPENDITURE OF RS. 98,27 ,696/- INCURRED FOR PURCHASE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DISBURSED IN INDIA TO THE INDIAN T EAM MEMBERS FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. THE ASSESSEE HAS EXPLAIN ED THAT THE PURCHASE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY WAS MADE FROM THE AGENCY IN INDIA. THESE A RE NOT THE EXPENSES OF THE ASSESSEE AS GRANTS ARE RECEIVED FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. THE TICKETS ARE DIRECTLY GIVEN THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE, THE FUNDS ARE ROOTED THROUGH WFI BY THE GOVT. OF INDIA. HENCE IT IS NOT FOR THE USE OF THE ASSESSEE. THE ASSESSEE WAS ASKED VIDE NOTE SHEET DATED 23.02.2016 AS TO WHY THE DECISION OF DELHI ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 9 HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF NASSCOM 345 ITR 362 REGAR DING THE EXPENDITURE ON FOREIGN CURRENCY AND APPLICABILITY OF SECTION 11 (1)(C) SHO ULD NOT BE APPLIED TO IT. THE ASSESSEE REPLIED AS UNDER: 'THE CONTENTION THAT WORDS 'TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH INCOME IS APPLIED TO SUCH PURPOSE IN INDIA' APPEARING TO SECTION L1(1)(C) OF THE ACT ONLY REQUIRE THAT CHARITABLE PURPOSE SHOULD BE CONFINED TO INDIA. THIS IS THE VIE W OF DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF DIT VS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOFTWARE AND SERVICES CO MPANIES (NASSCOM) (DELHI) (2012) 345 ITR 362 (DELHI). IN THE CASE OF APPELLANT NO ME ETING OR CHAMPIONSHIP, EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED OR HELD BY THE WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA, ABROAD/OUTSIDE INDIA. THE INCOME WAS SPENT ONLY IN INDIA. EVEN THE FOREIGN CURRENCY WERE PURCHASED IN INDIA SPENT IN INDIA BY DISBURSING TO THE WRESTLERS IN INDIA FOR THE BOARDING AND LODGING TO TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HELD ABROAD AND WON BROWN, SILVER AND GOLD MEDALS FOR INDIA. A LEDGER COPY OF NEW FOUND L AND ENTERPRISES PVT. LTD. FOR A SUM OF RS. 98,27,696/- ALONG WITH NARRATION OF INVOICE AND PAYMENT THEREOF ATTACHED HEREWITH FOR YOUR KIND INFORMATION. HENCE, THE CASE OF THE A PPELLANT IS NOT HIT BY EXPRESSION IN SECTION 11 (1) (C) OF THE ACT. 11. THE CONTENTION OF THE ASSESSEE THAT NO MEETING OR CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS ETC. WAS ORGANIZED /HELD BY THE ASSESSEE OUTSIDE INDIA, IS A CCEPTABLE AS THE MONEY WAS SPENT ONLY ON THE PLAYERS WHO WERE REPRESENTING INDIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENAS. THUS, IT IS FOR PROMOTING THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTRY INTERNATI ONALLY AND PROMOTING SPORT OF WRESTLING BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. HENC E, IT CANNOT BE HELD TO BE APPLIED TO SUCH PURPOSES OUTSIDE INDIA. THE ADDITION MADE ON T HIS ACCOUNT MAY THEREFORE BE DELETED SPECIALLY SINCE IT IS NOT FOR THE WELFARE O F THE ASSESSEE BUT FOR PARTICIPATION OF INDIA PLAYERS IN WRESTLING. CONSIDERING THE ABOVE DISCUSSION MADE BY THE LD. CI T(A), WE DO NOT FIND ANY INFIRMITY IN THE ORDER OF THE CIT (A). THE ASSESSEE HAS RECEIVED ROYALTY AND SPONSORSHIP FEE TOWARDS ORGANIZING OF THE SPORTS AC TIVITY IT IS NOT A REGULAR BUSINESS ACTIVITY OF THE SOCIETY WHICH HAS BEEN SPE NT FOR THE OBJECT OF THE SOCIETY. THE LD. CIT(A) HAS GIVEN COGENT REASONING FOR HOLDING THAT PROVISION TO SECTION 2(15) WOULD NOT APPLY IN THE FACTS OF THE P RESENT CASE, AGAINST WHICH THERE IS NOTHING ON RECORD FROM THE SIDE OF THE REV ENUE. IN RESPECT OF THE OTHER ISSUE THE ASSESSEE HAS COMPLIED THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA FOR ORGANIZING THE SPORTS ABOARD. THE CASE LA WS CITED BY THE AR OF THE ASSESSEE COULD ALSO NOT BE CONTROVERTED ON BEHALF O F THE REVENUE. WE, THEREFORE, ITA NO. 4755/DEL/16 & 2063/DEL/2017 10 DO NOT FIND ANY JUSTIFICATION TO INTERFERE WITH THE IMPUGNED ORDER. ACCORDINGLY, THE APPEAL OF THE REVENUE DESERVES TO FAIL. 7. AS ALREADY MENTIONED, THE ISSUE INVOLVED IN APPE AL FOR A.Y. 2012-13 IS ALSO SAME IN THE IDENTICAL FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF TH E CASE. WE, THEREFORE, ON THE SAME REASONING AFFIRM THE ORDER OF THE LD. CIT(A) I N THIS CASE ALSO, AS THERE IS NO CONTRARY MATERIAL ON RECORD TO DISCARD THE FINDINGS OF THE LD. CIT(A) IN THIS APPEAL ALSO. ACCORDINGLY, THE APPEAL OF THE REVENUE FOR A.Y. 2012-13 ALSO DESERVES TO BE DISMISSED. 8. IN THE RESULT, BOTH THE APPEALS OF THE REVENUE A RE DISMISSED. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT ON 03.12.2018. SD/- SD/- (H.S. SIDHU) (L.P. SA HU) JUDICIAL MEMBER ACCOUNTANT MEMBER DATED: 03.12.2018 *AKS* COPY OF ORDER FORWARDED TO: (1) THE APPELLANT (2) THE RESPONDENT (3) COMMISSIONER (4) CIT(A) (5) DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE (6) GUARD FILE BY ORDER ASSISTANT REGISTRAR INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL DELHI BENCHES, NEW DELHI