Nilam R. Kataria, Ahmedabad V. The ACIT, (OSD), Circle-9, Ahmedabad

ITA 3427/AHD/2014

• Counselvise Citation: [2019] 117 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 2543 (ITAT-AHMEDABAD)
• Duration Of Justice: 4 year(s) 5 month(s) 30 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 18-06-2019
• Appeal Filed By: Assessee
• Order Result: Allowed
• Bench Allotted: B
• Assessment Year: 2011-2012
• Appeal Filed On: 19-12-2014
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Keywords: Capital asset; Cost of acquisition
• Section: 143(3); 54F; 2(14); 143(1); 54

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL B BENCH, AHMEDABAD BEFORE SHRI PRAMOD KUMAR, VICE PRESIDENT & MS. MADHUMITA ROY, JUDICIAL MEMBER I.T.A. NO.3427/AHD/2014 (ASSESSMENT YEAR : 2011-12) NILAM R. KATARIA F-42, AKASH TOWER, VASTRAPUR, AHMEDABAD 380 015. VS. ACIT(OSD), CIRCLE 9, AHMEDABAD. [PAN NO. AIJPK 0343 D] ( APPELLANT ) .. ( RESPONDENT ) APPELLANT BY : SHRI TUSHAR HEMANI, A.R. RESPONDENT BY : SHRI MUDIT NAGPAL, SR. D.R. DATE OF HEARING 12.06.2019 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT 18.06.2019 O R D E R PER MS. MADHUMITA ROY - JM: THE INSTANT APPEAL FILED BY THE ASSESSEE IS DIRECT ED AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 01.10.2014 PASSED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INCO ME TAX (APPEALS) XV, AHMEDABAD ARISING OUT OF THE ORDER DATED 31.01.2014 PASSED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (OSD), CIRCLE 9, AHMED ABAD UNDER SECTION 143(3) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 (HEREINAFTER REF ERRED AS TO THE ACT) FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12. 2. THE ASSESSEE, AN INDIVIDUAL FILED HIS RETURN OF INCOME DECLARING TOTAL INCOME OF RS.43,47,210/- ON 19.03.2012 WHICH WAS PR OCESSED INITIALLY U/S 143(1) OF THE ACT. THE MATTER WAS SELECTED UNDER SC RUTINY; NOTICES WERE SERVED ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 2 - UPON THE ASSESSEE ON 10.09.2012 FOLLOWED BY FURTHER NOTICES DATED 03.09.2013, 13.09.2013 AND 12.11.2013 DUE TO CHANGE OF INCUMBEN T. ULTIMATELY, THE ASSESSMENT WAS FINALIZED ON 31.01.2014 REJECTING TH E CLAIM MADE BY THE ASSESSEE UNDER SECTION 54F OF THE ACT. THE SHORT POINT INVOLVED IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE IS AS TO WHETHER HOLDING PERIOD OF A CAPITAL ASSET IS TO BE RECKONED FROM T HE DATE OF ALLOTMENT OR FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION OF THE UNDER LINED CAPITAL ASSET. THE BRIEF FACTS LEADING TO THIS CASE IS THIS THAT T HE ASSESSEE PURCHASED AN IMMOVABLE PROPERTY BEING PLOT NO.17 SITUATED AT SEC TOR II, IN THE RESIDENTIAL SCHEME NAME ORNATE PARK IN THE DISTRICT OF AHMEDA BAD ALLOTMENT WHEREOF WAS MADE ON 15.02.2007. THE SAID PROPERTY WAS SUBSE QUENTLY SOLD DURING THE YEAR UNDER CONSIDERATION ON 04.08.2010. SINCE THE P ROPERTY WAS HELD BY THE ASSESSEE FOR MORE THAN 36 MONTHS THE SAID PROPERTY WAS TREATED AS LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSET. THE ASSESSEE CLAIM INDEX COST OF ACQ UISITION OF RS.16,41,191/- AND INDEX COST OF IMPROVEMENT OF RS.15,02,943/-, TH E SALE CONSIDERATION WAS SHOWN FOR RS.61,00,000/-. ACCORDINGLY, LONG TERM CA PITAL GAIN (LTCG) OF RS.29,55,866 AROSE ON SUCH LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSET IN TERMS OF SECTION 48 OF THE ACT. FURTHER THE ASSESSEE ACQUIRED ANOTHER PROPERTY FOR HER SHARE OF RS.70,00,000/-. THE EXEMPTION OF CAPITAL GAIN WAS C LAIMED U/S 54F OF THE ACT IN THE RETURN OF INCOME TO THE EXTENT OF THE LTCG O F RS.29,55,866/-. THE RELEVANT PURCHASE DEED OF THE IMPUGNED PROPERTY, TH E BILLS FOR COST OF IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ALLOTMENT LETTER DATED 15.02.2 007 WERE DULY SUBMITTED BEFORE THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY TH E HOLDING OF THE PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN 36 MONTHS BY THE ASSESSEE. IT IS PERTINEN T TO MENTION THAT THE ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 3 - PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED BY THE ASSESSEE IN THE YEAR 2 005 BY MAKING PAYMENT OF RS.9,00,000/- THROUGH ACCOUNT PAYEE TWO CHEQUES DRA WN WITH THE BANK OF BARODA BOTH DATED 15.03.2005. HOWEVER, SUCH PLEA OF THE ASSESSEE WAS NOT FOUND ACCEPTABLE BY THE LEARNED ASSESSING OFFICER. SINCE THE PROPERTY WAS REGISTERED ON 30.09.2009 THE LEARNED AO WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE ASSESSEE ACQUIRED THE ABSOLUTE OWNERSHIP AND TITLE OF THE PR OPERTY ON THE DATE OF REGISTRATION OF THE SAME WHEN THE POSSESSION WAS HA NDED OVER TO THE ASSESSEE. HE THUS TREATED THE CAPITAL GAIN ON SALE OF THE SAI D PLOT OF LAND SHOWN BY THE ASSESSEE IN HER RETURN OF INCOME AS SHORT TERM CAPI TAL GAIN (STCG) ON THE PREMISE THAT SUCH PROPERTY WAS HELD BY THE ASSESSEE FOR LESS THAN 36 MONTHS. ULTIMATELY, ADDITION OF RS.49,02,300/- WAS MADE REJ ECTING THE DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 54F OF THE ACT. IN APPEAL, THE SAID ORDER W AS CONFIRMED BY THE FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY. HENCE, THE INSTANT APPEAL BEFO RE US. 3. AT THE TIME OF HEARING OF THE INSTANT APPEAL, TH E LEARNED COUNSEL APPEARING FOR THE ASSESSEE SUBMITTED BEFORE US THAT BOTH THE AUTHORITIES HAVE PROCEEDED ON A WRONG FOOTING IN DETERMINING THE HO LDING PERIOD RECKONED FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION I.E. ON 30.09.2009 WH EN THE PURCHASE DEED WAS EXECUTED. THE PROPERTY WAS SOLD ON 04.08.2010, THU S THE HOLDING PERIOD WAS LESS THAN 36 MONTHS. BUT IT IS A WELL SETTLED PRINC IPLE OF LAW THAT THE HOLDING PERIOD IN TERMS OF SECTION 2(42A) OF ACT IS TO BE RECKONED FROM THE DATE OF ALLOTMENT AND NOT THE DATE OF POSSESSION. HE ALS O RELIED UPON THE JUDGMENT PASSED BY THE MUMBAI TRIBUNAL IN THE MATTER OF ANIT A D. KANJANI-VS-ACIT IN ITA NO. 2291/MUM/2015 AS ALSO IN THE MATTER OF CIT- VS-ANILABEN UPENDRA SHAH REPORTED IN 262 ITR 657 (GUJ) PASSED BY THE HO NBLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT, COPIES WHEREOF WERE ALSO SUBMITTED BEFORE US . HE THUS PRAYS FOR ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 4 - DELETION OF ADDITION MADE BY THE AUTHORITIES BELOW. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LEARNED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT RELIED UPO N THE ORDER PASSED BY THE AUTHORITIES BELOW. 4. WE HAVE HEARD THE RIVAL CONTENTIONS MADE BY THE PARTIES, WE HAVE ALSO PERUSED THE RELEVANT MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON RECORD AND THE JUDGMENT RELIED UPON BY THE LEARNED COUNSEL APPEARING FOR THE ASSES SEE. THE LETTER OF ALLOTMENT DATED 15.02.2007 AS APPEARING AT PAGE 35/ A CLEARLY STATES THE FOLLOWING LAND SHALL BE ALLOTTED TO YOU AFTER BE ING CONVERTED IN NA AND AFTER EXECUTION OF SALE DEED IN FAVOUR OF ASSOCIATI ON AND ON PAYMENT OF DECIDED AMOUNT WHICH MAY PLEASE BE NOTED PAGE 29A TO 29AC OF THE PAPER BOOK CONTAINED THE SALE DEED AGAINST THE SALE CONSIDERA TION OF SAID RS.9,00,000/- IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION. PAGE 29/A/A OF THE PAPER BOOK GIVES THE DETAILS OF THE PAYMENT MADE BY THE ASSESSEE WHEREFR OM IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE ASSESSEE HAS PAID THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RS.9,00,000/- BY WAY OF TWO CHEQUES BOTH DRAWN WITH THE BANK OF BARODA DATED 15.03.2005 ; CHEQUE NO 886512 RS.6,00,000/- AND CHEQUE NO.885613 OF RS. 3,00,000/ - TO THE VENDER OF THE SAID PROPERTY. THUS WE ARE OF THE VIEW THAT IN TERM S OF THE ALLOTMENT LETTER THE POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED BY THE ASSE SSEE UPON SUCH PAYMENT MADE ON 15.03.2005, THOUGH, THE DEED OF SALE WAS UL TIMATELY EXECUTED BEFORE THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR ON 04.08.2010, THE HOLD ING PERIOD THEREOF SHOULD RECKON FROM THE DATE OF SUCH ALLOTMENT BEING 15.03. 2007 AND SINCE THE SAME WAS ULTIMATELY SOLD OFF ON 04.08.2010, THE HOLDING PERIOD ADMITTEDLY EXCEEDS 36 MONTHS WHICH DOES NOT COME UNDER THE PURVIEW OF SECTION 2(42A) OF THE ACT IN DETERMINING AS SHORT TERM CAPITAL ASSET FOR HOLDING THE SAME FOR LESS THAN 36 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF ITS TRA NSFER. CONSEQUENTLY, THE ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 5 - ULTIMATE CLAIM UNDER SECTION 54F FOR EXEMPTION ON C APITAL GAIN ARISING OUT OF SUCH LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSET NEEDS TO BE ALLOWED. IN THIS RESPECT WE ARE ALSO INSPIRED BY THE JUDGMEN T PASSED BY THE BOMBAY TRIBUNAL IN THE CASE OF ANITA D KANJANI IN H OLDING THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING ASSET IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT T HE ASSESSEE SHOULD BE THE OWNER OF THE ASSET BASED UPON A REGISTERED CONVEYAN CE CONFIRMING TITLE ON HIM. THE HONBLE TRIBUNAL OBSERVED AS FOLLOWS : 10. IT IS NOTED THAT THE LETTER OF ALLOTMENT WAS I SSUED TO THE ASSESSEE ON 11-04- 2005, THE LETTER OF ALLOTMENT MAKES A MEN TION OF THE IDENTITY OF THE FLAT AS OFFICE UNIT NO.107, LOCATED AT FIRST FLOOR OF EVEREST GRANDE. IT ALSO MAKES A MENTION THAT TOTAL CONSIDER ATION OF THE SAID PROPERTY IS A SUM OF RS.29,64,000/- OUT OF WHICH A SUM OF RS.5 LAKHS WAS PAID BY THE ASSESSEE ON 04-04-2005 BY CHEQUE NO .539104 AS PART PAYMENT AGAINST THE SAID OFFICE UNIT. IT IS FURTHER NOTED BY US THAT HON'BLE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF CIT VS A SURESH RAO 223 TAXMANN 228 (KAR) DEALT WITH SIMILAR ISSUE WHEREIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXPRESSION 'HELD' USED BY THE LEGISLATURE HAS B EEN ANALYSED AND EXPLAINED AT LENGTH. HON'BLE HIGH COURT ANALYSED VA RIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ACT PERTAINING TO COMPUTATION OF CAPITAL GAIN U NDER VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND ALSO CIRCULARS ISSUED BY THE CBDT ON THIS ISSUE. RELEVANT PORTION OF THE OBSERVATION WHEREIN THE ISSUE BEFORE US HAS BEEN PROPERLY ANALYSED IS REPRODUCED HEREUNDER:- 12. 'THE DEFINITION AS CONTAINED IN SECTION 2 (42 A) OF THE ACT , THOUGH USES THE WORDS, 'A CAPITAL ASSET HELD AN ASS ESSEE FOR NOT MORE THAN THIRTY-SIX MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING T HE DATE OF ITS TRANSFER', FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING AN ASSET, IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT, HE SHOULD BE THE OWNER OF THE ASSET, WITH A R EGISTERED DEED OF CONVEYANCE CONFERRING TITLE ON HIM. IN THE LIGHT OF THE EXPANDED DEFINITION AS CONTAINED IN ITA NO.2291/MUM/2015 SECTION 2(47) , EVEN WHEN A SALE, EXCHANGE, OR RELINQUISHMENT OR EXTINGUISHMENT OF ANY RIGHT, U NDER A TRANSACTION THE ASSESSEE IS PUT IN POSSESSION OF AN IMMOVABLE ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 6 - PROPERTY OR HE RETAINED THE SAME IN PART PERFORMANC E OF THE CONTRACT UNDER SECTION 53-A OF THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT, IT AMOUNTS TO TRANSFER. NO REGISTERED DEED OF SALE IS REQUIRED TO CONSTITUTE A TRANSFER. SIMILARLY, ANY TRANSACTION W HETHER BY WAY OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF OR ACQUIRING SHARES IN A CO - OPERATIVE SOCIETY, COMPANY OR OTHER ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS OR BY WAY OF ANY AGREEMENT OR ANY ARRANGEMENT OR IN ANY O THER MANNER WHATSOEVER, WHICH HAS THE EFFECT OF TRANSFER RING, OR ENABLING THE ENJOYMENT OF ANY IMMOVABLE PROPERTY, A LSO CONSTITUTES TRANSFER AND THE ASSESSEE IS SAID TO HO LD THE SAID PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DEFINITION OF 'SHOR T-TERM CAPITAL GAIN'. IN FACT, THE CIRCULAR NO.495 MAKES IT CLEAR THAT TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURE REFERRED TO ABOVE ARE NO T REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE REGISTRATION ACT , 1908. SUCH ARRANGEMENTS CONFER THE PRIVILEGES OF OWNERSHIP WIT HOUT TRANSFER OF TITLE IN THE BUILDING AND ARE COMMON MODE OF ACQ UIRING FLATS PARTICULARLY IN MULTISTORIED CONSTRUCTIONS IN BIG C ITIES. THE AFORESAID NEW SUB- CLAUSES (V) AND (VI) HAVE BEEN I NSERTED IN SECTION 2(47) TO PREVENT AVOIDANCE OF CAPITAL GAINS LIABILITY BY RECOURSE TO TRANSFER OF RIGHTS IN THE MANNER REFERR ED TO ABOVE. A PERSON HOLDING THE POWER OF ATTORNEY IS AUTHORIZED THE POWERS OF OWNER, INCLUDING THAT OF MAKING CONSTRUCTION THOUGH THE LEGAL OWNERSHIP IN SUCH CASES CONTINUES TO BE WITH THE TR ANSFEROR. THE INTENTION OF LEGISLATURE IS TO TREAT EVEN SUCH TRAN SACTIONS AS TRANSFERS AND THE CAPITAL GAIN ARISING OUT OF SUCH TRANSACTIONS ARE BROUGHT TO TAX. FURTHER, THE CIRCULAR NO.471 GO ES TO THE EXTENT OF CLARIFYING THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCOME-TAX ACT , THE ALLOTTEE GETS TITLE TO THE PROPERTY ON THE ISSUANCE OF THE ALLOTMENT LETTER AND THE PAYMENT OF INSTALLMENTS IS ONLY A FO LLOW UP ACTION AND TAKING THE DELIVERY OF POSSESSION IS ONLY A FOR MALITY. IN CASE OF CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENTS, THE TENTATIVE COST OF C ONSTRUCTION IS ALREADY DETERMINED AND THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR P AYMENT OF COST OF CONSTRUCTION IN INSTALLMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT THE ALLOTTEE HAS TO BEAR THE INCREASE, IF ANY, IN T HE COST OF CONSTRUCTION. THEREFORE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAPITAL GAINS TAX THE COST OF THE NEW ASSET IS THE TENTATIVE COST OF CONS TRUCTION AND THE FACT THAT THE AMOUNT WAS ALLOWED TO BE PAID IN INST ALLMENTS DOES NOT AFFECT THE LEGAL POSITION. THEREFORE, IN CONSTR UING SUCH ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 7 - TAXATION PROVISIONS, WHAT SHOULD BE THE APPROACH OF THE COURTS AND THE INTERPRETATION TO BE PLACED IS CLEARLY SET OUT BY THE APEX COURT IN THE CASE OF SMT. SAROJ AGGARWAL VS CIT 156 ITA NO.2291/MUM/2015 ITR 497 WHEREIN IT IS HELD AS UNDE R: 'FACTS SHOULD BE VIEWED IN NATURAL PERSPECTIVE, HAV ING REGARD TO THE COMPULSION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CASE. WHER E IT IS POSSIBLE TO DRAW TWO INFERENCES FROM THE FACTS AND WHERE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DISHONEST OR IMPROPER MOTIVE ON THE PART OF THE ASSESSEE, IT WOULD BE JUST AND EQUITABLE TO DRA W SUCH INFERENCE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT WOULD LEAD TO EQUIT Y AND JUSTICE. TOO HYPER-TECHNICAL OR LEGALISTIC APPROACH SHOULD B E AVOIDED IN LOOKING AT A PROVISION WHICH MUST BE EQUITABLY INTE RPRETED AND JUSTLY ADMINISTERED...............COURTS SHOULD, WH ENEVER POSSIBLE UNLESS PREVENTED BY THE EXPRESS LANGUAGE BY ANY SEC TION OR COMPELLING CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY PARTICULAR CASE, MA KE A BENEVOLENT AND JUSTICE ORIENTED INFERENCE. FACTS MU ST BE VIEWED IN THE SOCIAL MILIEU OF A COUNTRY.' THEREFORE, KEEPING THE AFORESAID PRINCIPLES IN MIND , WHEN WE LOOK AT SECTION 48 , THE LANGUAGE EMPLOYED IS UNAMBIGUOUS. THE INTENTION IS VERY CLEAR. WHEN A CAPITAL ASSET IS TR ANSFERRED, IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAPITAL GAIN FROM SUCH TRANS FER, WHAT IS TO BE SEEN IS, OUT OF FULL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATION RECEIVED OR ACCRUING, THE COST OF ACQUISITION OF THE ASSET, THE COST OF IMPROVEMENT AND ANY EXPENDITURE WHOLLY OR EXCLUSIVE LY INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH TRANSFER IS TO BE DEDUCTED. WHAT REMAINS THEREAFTER IS THE CAPITAL GAIN. IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT AFTER PAYMENT OF COST OF ACQUISITION, A TITLE DEED IS TO BE EXECUTED IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSESSEE. EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF A TI TLE DEED, THE ASSESSEE HOLDS THAT PROPERTY AND THEREFORE, IT IS T HE POINT OF TIME AT WHICH HE HOLDS THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS TO BE TAKE N INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE DATE OF ACQUISITION AND DATE OF TRANSFER OF SUCH CAPITAL GA IN IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHETHER IT IS A SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN OR A LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAIN.' THUS, FROM THE AFORESAID JUDGMENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING AN ITA NO.2291/MUM/2015 ASSET, IT IS NOT NE CESSARY THAT THE ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 8 - ASSESSEE SHOULD BE THE OWNER OF THE ASSET BASED UPO N A REGISTRATION OF CONVEYANCE CONFERRING TITLE ON HIM. 11. SIMILARLY, IN THE CASE OF MADHU KAUL (SUPRA), THE HON'BLE PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT ANALYSED VARIOUS CIRCULARS AND PROVISIONS OF THE ACT THAT ON ALLOTMENT OF FLAT AND MAKING FIRST INST ALLMENT THE ASSESSEE WAS CONFERRED WITH A RIGHT TO HOLD A FLAT WHICH WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AND POSSESSION DELIVERED ON LATER DATE. THE MERE FACT T HAT POSSESSION WAS DELIVERED LATER, WOULD NOT DETRACT FROM THE FACT TH AT ASSESSEE (ALLOTTEE) WAS CONFERRED A RIGHT TO HOLD THE PROPERTY ON ISSUA NCE OF AN ALLOTMENT LETTER. THE PAYMENT OF BALANCE AMOUNT AND DELIVERY OF POSSESSION ARE CONSEQUENTIAL ACTS THAT RELATE BACK TO AND ARISE FR OM THE RIGHTS CONFERRED BY THE ALLOTMENT LETTER UPON THE ASSESSEE . 13. IN THE CASE OF VINOD KUMAR JAIN VS CIT 344 ITR 501 IT WAS HELD BY HON'BLE PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT THAT CONJOIN ED READING OF SECTION 2(14) , 2(29A) AND 2(42A) CLARIFIES THAT HOLDING PERIOD OF THE ASSESSEE STARTS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF ALLOTM ENT LETTER. SINCE ALLOTTEE GETS TITLE OF THE PROPERTY ON THE ISSUANCE OF ALLOTMENT LETTER AND PAYMENT OF FIRST INSTALLMENT IS ONLY A CONSEQUENTIA L ACTION UPON WHICH DELIVERY OF POSSESSION FLOWS. EVEN IF THE SALE DEED OR AGREEMENT TO SELL IS EXECUTED OR REGISTERED SUBSEQUENTLY BUT THE ASSE SSEE ALWAYS HAD A RIGHT IN THE PROPERTY SINCE THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF ALLOTMENT LETTER. THEREFORE, IT CAN BE SAID THAT ASSESSEE HELD THE PR OPERTY IMMEDIATELY FROM THE DATE OF ALLOTMENT LETTER. 14. IN THE CASE OF CIT VS K RAMAKRISHNAN (SUPRA), HON'BLE DELHI HIGH COURT ANALYSED THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT AND H ELD THAT DATE OF ALLOTMENT IS RELEVANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPUTING HOLDING PERIOD AND NOT THE DATE OF REGISTRATION OF CONVEYANCE DEED. SI MILARLY IN THE CASE OF CIT VS S.R. JEYASHANKAR (SUPRA), HON'BLE MADRAS HIGH COURT TOOK A SIMILAR VIEW FOLLOWING THE AFORESAID ITA NO.2291/MU M/2015 JUDGMENT AND HELD THAT HOLDING PERIOD SHALL BE COMPUTED FROM THE DATE OF ALLOTMENT. IT IS NOTED BY US THAT SIMILAR VIEW HAS BEEN TAKEN BY OTHER HIGH COURTS IN THE JUDGMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN RELIED UPON BY THE LD. COUNSEL BEFORE US AND MENTIONED IN EARLIER PART OF OUR ORDER. 15. IN THE ASSESSMENT ORDER, THE LD. AO HAS PLACED RELIANCE UPON THE JUDGMENT OF HON'BLE SUPREME COURT IN THE CASE OF SU RAJ LAMPS & ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 9 - INDUSTRIES PVT LTD (SUPRA) FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT TRANSFER OF A PROPERTY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ONLY ON REGISTRATION OF CONVEYAN CE DEED IN VIEW OF SECTION 54 OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT. IN OUR VIEW, IT IS A SETTLED PROPOSITION OF LAW AND THERE IS NO DISPUTE ON THAT. THE ABSOLUTE LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF AN IMMOVABLE PROPERTY SHALL TAKE PLACE IN TERMS OF VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT WHICH NEEDS TO BE READ WITH PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2(47) OF INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961 FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPUTING TAX LIABILITY ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF SA LE / PURCHASE OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES UNDER INCOME-TAX ACT . BUT THE ISSUE HERE BEFORE US IS DIFFERENT. AS DISCUSSED EARLIER, THE HOLDING PERIOD IS TO BE DETERMINED IN TERMS OF SECTION 2(42A) OF THE ACT WHICH HAS BEEN REPRODUCED AND DISCUSSED ABOVE. THE ISSUE OF TRANSF ER OF OWNERSHIP IS NOT THE ISSUE TO BE DECIDED HERE FOR COMPUTING THE HOLDING PERIOD. THEREFORE, WE FIND THAT APPLICATION OF THE RATIO OF AFORESAID JUDGMENT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE HERE. 16. THUS, RESPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE JUDGEMENTS OF VARIOUS HIGH COURTS WHEREIN THIS VERY ISSUE HAS BEEN ANALYSED IN DETAIL AS DISCUSSED ABOVE AT LENGTH, WE FIND THAT HOLDING PERIOD SHOULD BE COMPUTED FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE OF ALLOTMENT LETTER. IF WE DO SO, THE HOLDING PERIOD BECOMES MORE THAN 36 MONTHS AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE P ROPERTY SOLD BY THE ASSESSEE WOULD BE LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSET IN TH E HANDS OF THE ASSESSEE AND THE GAIN ON SALE OF THE SAME WOULD BE TAXABLE IN THE HANDS OF THE ASSESSEE AS LONG TERM CAPITAL GAIN. WE DIREC T ITA NO.2291/MUM/2015 ACCORDINGLY. 17. AS A RESULT, GROUNDS RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE AR E ALLOWED IN TERMS OF OUR DIRECTIONS AS GIVEN ABOVE. HOWEVER, THE ALTE RNATIVE ISSUE RAISED BY THE ASSESSEE IS NOT BEING ADJUDICATED AT THIS ST AGE. 18. IN THE RESULT, THE APPEAL OF THE ASSESSEE IS A LLOWED. THE ISSUE AGAIN CAME UP BEFORE THE HONBLE JURISDIC TIONAL GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF ANILABEN UPENDRA SHAH. IN THAT CASE THE ASSESSEE HAD BECOME THE MEMBER OF A CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY BY ACQU IRING SHARE THEREIN ON 15.11.1979. POSSESSION OF THE FLAT WAS DELIVERED TO THE ASSESSEE IN OCTOBER 1981 WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SOLD ON 04.12.1982. THE QUESTION CAME AS TO ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 10 - WHETHER THE ASSESSEE HAD HELD SHARES AND ALLOTMENT OF FLAT IN THE SAID SOCIETY FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 36 MONTHS RECKONED FROM 1 5.11.1979. THE ORDER WAS PASSED IN AFFIRMATIVE BY THE HONBLE TRIBUNAL ITSEL F HOLDING THE CAPITAL GAIN AS LONG TERM CAPITAL GAIN AND THE BENEFIT UNDER SECTIO N 80T WAS EXTENDED TO THE ASSESSEE WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COURT. WHILE DOING SO, THE HONBLE JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COURT OBSERVED AS FOLLOWS: 8. IT IS THUS CLEAR THAT THE MEMBER OF A CO-OPERA TIVE HOUSING SOCIETY ONLY OWNS THE SHARES IN THAT SOCIETY. THE R IGHT TO ENJOY OR DERIVE FROM ANY LAND OR BUILDING BELONGING TO THE CO-OPERA TIVE HOUSING SOCIETY IS MERELY AN INCIDENTAL RIGHT FLOWING FROM THE OWNE RSHIP OF THE SHARES. A MEMBER OF A CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY CANNOT S ELL ALL HIS SHARES IN A CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY AND STILL RETAIN ANY INTEREST IN ANY PROPERTY, WHETHER LAND OR BUILDING, BELONGING TO A CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY AND ALLOTTED/LET OUT TO THE MEMBER. SIMILAR LY, A MEMBER OF A CO- OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY TO WHOM A FLAT OR LAND IS ALLOTTED CANNOT TRANSFER SUCH LAND OR BUILDING WITHOUT SELLING THE SHARES HELD BY HIM. HENCE, WHEN THE QUESTION COMES UP FOR CONSIDERATION AS TO WHICH IS THE RELEVANT DATE, WHILE COMPUTING THE CAPITAL GAIN TAX IN CASE OF TRANSFER OF HIS SHARES BY A PERSON WHO IS A MEMBER IN A CO-OPER ATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY, THE RELEVANT DATE WOULD BE THE DATE ON WHI CH THE MEMBER ACQUIRES THE SHARES IN THE CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOC IETY AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE MEMBER HAD SOLD HIS SHARES IN THE SAID CO OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY. IN THE FACTS OF THE INSTANT CASE, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ASSESSEE ACQUIRED SHARES IN THE CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY AND ALLO TTED THE FLAT ON 15- 11-1979 AND SHE TRANSFERRED THOSE SHARES ON 4-12-19 82. THUS, THE ASSESSEE HAD HELD THE SHARES AND ALLOTMENT OF THE F LAT IN THE SAID CO- OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETY FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 36 MONTHS. ACCORDINGLY, THE CAPITAL GAIN IN QUESTION WAS RIGHT LY HELD BY THE TRIBUNAL TO BE A LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAIN. THEREFORE, THE ASSESSEE WAS RIGHTLY ENTITLED TO THE BENEFIT OF SECTION SOT OF T HE INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961. 9. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE DISCUSSION, WE ANSWER THE Q UESTION REFERRED TO US IN THE AFFIRMATIVE I.E. IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSESSEE A ND AGAINST THE REVENUE. ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 11 - 10. THE REFERENCE ACCORDINGLY STANDS DISPOSED OF WI TH NO ORDER AS TO COSTS. IN VIEW OF THE RATIO LAID DOWN BY THE JURISDICTIONA L HIGH COURT IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSESSEE FOR HOLDING THE ASSET FOR MORE THAN 36 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ALLOTMENT OF THE PROPERTY, WE FIND NO JUSTIFICATION IN THE ORDER PASSED BY THE AUTHORITIES BELOW IN SUCH CAPITAL GAIN AS SHORT TER M CAPITAL GAIN BY CONSIDERING THE HOLDING PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF REGISTRATION OF THE PROPERTY AS ON 30.09.2009 INSTEAD OF DATE OF ALLOTMENT ON 15.02.20 07. IN OUR CONSIDERED OPINION THE ASSESSEE HELD THE PROPERTY FOR MORE THA N THREE YEAR W.E.F 15.02.2007 WHEN THE ALLOTMENT LETTER WAS ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE ASSESSEE TILL THE DATE OF SUBSEQUENT SALE OF THE SAID PROPERTY ON 04.08.2010. IN THAT VIEW OF THE MATTER, THE CAPITAL GAIN IS TO BE TREATED AS LO NG TERM CAPITAL GAIN ARISING OUT OF THE SALE OF THE SAID LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSET AND THE ASSESSEE IS ENTITLED TO THE EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 54F OF THE ACT AS CLAIMED I N HER RETURN. WE, THEREFORE, FIND NO MERIT IN SUCH ADDITION MADE BY T HE AUTHORITIES BELOW. THE ADDITION IS THEREFORE, DELETED. 5. IN THE RESULT, ASSESSEES APPEAL IS ALLOWED. THIS ORDER PRONOUNCED IN OPEN COURT ON 18/06/2019 SD/- SD/- ( PRAMOD KUMAR ) ( M S. MADHUMITA ROY ) VICE PRESIDENT JUDICIAL MEMBER AHMEDABAD; DATED 18/06/2019 PRITI YADAV, SR.PS ITA NO.3427/AHD/2014 NILAM R KATARIA VS. ACIT(OSD) ASSESSMENT YEAR 2011-12 - 12 - / COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO : 1. / THE APPELLANT 2. / THE RESPONDENT. 3. / CONCERNED CIT 4. ( ) / THE CIT(A)-XV, AHMEDABAD. 5. , , / DR, ITAT, AHMEDABAD 6. !' #$ / GUARD FILE. / BY ORDER, //TRUE COPY// / (DY./ASSTT.REGISTRAR) , !' / ITAT, AHMEDABAD 1. DATE OF DICTATION 13.06.2019 (COMPUTER DICTATION) 2. DATE ON WHICH THE TYPED DRAFT IS PLACED BEFORE THE DICTATING MEMBER 14.06.2019 3. OTHER MEMBER 4. DATE ON WHICH THE APPROVED DRAFT COMES TO THE SR.P. S./P.S , 18.06.2019 5. DATE ON WHICH THE FAIR ORDER IS PLACED BEFORE THE D ICTATING MEMBER FOR PRONOUNCEMENT 6. DATE ON WHICH THE FAIR ORDER COMES BACK TO THE SR.P .S./P.S. 7. DATE ON WHICH THE FILE GOES TO THE BENCH CLERK 8. DATE ON WHICH THE FILE GOES TO THE HEAD CLERK ... 9. THE DATE ON WHICH THE FILE GOES TO THE ASSISTANT RE GISTRAR FOR SIGNATURE ON THE ORDER.. 10. DATE OF DESPATCH OF THE ORDER