DCIT CIR. 6(3)(1), MUMBAI V. JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD., MUMBAI

ITA 5053/MUM/2016

• Counselvise Citation: [2017] 128 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 8453 (ITAT-MUMBAI)
• Duration Of Justice: 5 month(s) 25 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 02-02-2017
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: SMC
• Next Hearing Date: 02-02-2017
• Assessment Year: 2011-2012
• Appeal Filed On: 08-08-2016
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: ANUPAMA SINGLADR
• Keywords: Depreciation; Question of law; Unabsorbed depreciation
• Section: 32; 147; 148

Judgement Text

, , , IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL MUMBAI BENCHES, G MUMBAI , , , BEFORE SHRI JOGINDER SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER, AND SHRI MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2011-12 DCIT, CIR.-6(3)(1), R. NO.506, 5 TH FLOOR, AAYAKAR BHAVAN, M.K. ROAD, MUMBAI-400020 / VS. M/S JASRA GRAPHICS P. LTD. 101, PRABHADEVI INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, 408, VEER SAVARKAR MARG, PRABHADEVI, MUMBAI-400025 ( / REVENUE) ( !'# $ /ASSESSEE) PAN. NO . AAACW1638F % & $ ' / DATE OF HEAR ING : 02/02/2017 & $ ' / DATE OF ORDER: 02/02/2017 ! / REVENUE BY MS. ANUPAMA SINGLA-DR !'# $ ! / ASSESSEE BY SHRI JITENDRA JAIN ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 2 / O R D E R PER JOGINDER SINGH(JUDICIAL MEMBER) THE REVENUE IS AGGRIEVED BY THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATE D 03/05/2016 OF THE LD. FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY, MU MBAI. THE ONLY GROUND RAISED IN THE PRESENT APPEAL PERTAI NS TO CONFIRMING THE CARRY FORWARD OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIA TION FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 1999-2000 TO 2001-02 OF RS.35,00,12 3/- IGNORING THE SPECIAL BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL IN THE C ASE OF TIMES GUARANTEE LTD. (ITA NO.4197 & 4198/MUM/2008), WHICH IS OF BINDING NATURE UPON THE LD. COMMISSIONE R OF INCOME TAX (APPEAL). 2. DURING HEARING, MISS. ANUPAMA SINGLA, LD. DR, ADVANCED ARGUMENTS, WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THE GROUN D RAISED BY SUBMITTING THAT WHILE COMING TO A PARTICULAR CON CLUSION, THE LD. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEAL) IGNORED THE DECISION OF THE SPECIAL BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL (ITA NO.4197 & 4198/MUM/2008), WHICH IS BINDING UPON THE FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY. 2.1. ON THE OTHER HAND, SHRI JITENDRA JAIN, LD. CO UNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE, DEFENDED THE IMPUGNED ORDER ON TW O COUNTS. FIRSTLY, ON IDENTICAL ISSUE SUBSTANTIAL QU ESTION OF LAW WAS ADMITTED BY HON'BLE JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COU RT IN THE CASE OF M/S TIMES GUARANTEE LTD. VS DCIT (ITA NO.84 1 OF 2011) ORDER DATED 05/01/2012 AND SECONDLY, GUJARAT HIGH COURT HAS DECIDED THE ISSUE IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSESS EE IN THE ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 3 CASE OF GENERAL MOTORS INDIA PVT. LTD. VS DCIT (254 ITR 244) (GUJ.) AND THE TRIBUNAL HAD BEEN TAKING CONSISTENT STAND BY FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COUR T. 2.2. WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS AND PERUSED THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE ON RECORD. WITHOUT GOING INTO MUCH DELIBERATION, WE FIND THAT ON IDENTICAL ISSUE, THE MUMBAI BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL IN THE CASE OF DCIT VS M/S JSL STRUCTURE LTD. (ITA NO.4086/MUM/2014) FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2008-09, VIDE ORDER DATED 30/03/201 6 CONSIDERING THE DECISION FROM HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF GENERAL MOTORS INDIA PVT. LTD. (SUPRA) AND VARIOUS OTHER DECISIONS, DISMISSED THE APPEAL OF TH E DEPARTMENT (WHEREIN, ONE OF US, IS SIGNATORY TO THE ORDER). THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE SAME IS REPRODUCED HERE UNDER FOR READY REFERENCE AND ANALYSIS:- CHALLENGING THE ORDER,DTD.10/02/2014 OF THE CIT (A )-38,MUMBAI THE ASSESSING OFFICER(AO) HAS FILED THE PRESENT APPEAL. ASSESSEE-COMPANY FILED ITS RETURN OF INCOME ON 07/12/2009, DECLARING TOTAL INCOME AT RUPEES NIL.THE AO COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT,U/S.143( 3) R.W.S.147 OF THE ACT,ON 27/12/2012, DETERMINING THE INCOME OF TH E ASSESSEE AT RS.12,28,509/-. 2.EFFECTIVE GROUND OF APPEAL IS ABOUT CARRY FORWARD OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION.BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE ARE THAT THE O RIGINAL ASSESSMENT U/S.143(3)OF THE ACT WAS COMPLETED ON 07.12.2009 DE TERMINING THE INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE AT RS.NIL,AFTER SETTING OFF OF BROUGHT FORWARD LOSSES OF EARLIER YEARS.SUBSEQUENTLY,THE ASSESSMENT WAS REOPENED BY ISSUE OF NOTICE UNDER SECTION 148 OF THE ACT AND TH E ASSESSMENT U/S.143(3)R.W.S.147 WAS COMPLETED ON 27/12/2012, DE TERMINING THE INCOME OF THE ASSESSEE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL ASSESSM ENT I.E.AT RS NIL. HOWEVER,IN THE REOPENED ASSESSMENT UNABSORBED DEPRE CIATION ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 4 PERTAINING TO AY.1997-98 TO AY.1999-2000, AMOUNTING TO RS. 1.17 CRORES WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD.WHILE COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT, THE AO HELD THAT DEPRECIATION PERTAININ G TO AY.1997-98 COULD NOT BE CARRIED FORWARD FOR MORE THAN 8 AY.S I .E.,IT COULD NOT BE CARRIED FORWARD BEYOND AY. 2007-08.THE AO RELIED UP ON THE DECISION OF THE SPECIAL BENCH DELIVERED IN THE CASE OF TIMES GUARANTEE LTD.(40SOT14).THE CLAIM OF THE ASSESSEE FOR CARRY-F ORWARD OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION RS.1,17,14,644/- WAS REJECT ED BY THE AO. 3.AGGRIEVED BY THE ORDER OF THE AO,THE ASSESSEE PRE FERRED AN APPEAL BEFORE THE FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY(FAA).BEFORE HI M, THE ASSESSEE CONTENDED THAT IT HAD INCURRED LOSSES IN THE EARLIE R YEARS,THAT THOSE LOSSES CONSISTED OF BUSINESS LOSS AS WELL AS UNABSO RBED DEPRECIATION,THAT AGAINST THE PROFIT EARNED BY THE ASSESSEE FOR THE AY.2008-09 AMOUNTING TO RS.2.53 CRORES,THAT PART OF THE CARRY FORWARD LOSS WAS SET OFF ,THAT AS PER THE PROVISION S OF THE ACT THE BUSINESS LOSS WAS SET OFF FIRST BEFORE SETTING OFF OF THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION, THAT THE TOTAL CARRY FORWARD OF BUSIN ESS LOSS WAS RS.5.82 CRORES, THAT THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION AMOUNTED T O RS.2.64 CRORES,THAT THE PROFIT OF THE AY.2008-09 WAS ONLY S UFFICIENT TO SET OFF APART OF THE BUSINESS LOSSES AND NOT THE DEPRECIATI ON, THAT AFTER SETTING OFF OF BUSINESS LOSS OF RS.2.53 CRORES THE BALANCE UNABSORBED LOSS (RS.3.28 CRORES) AND THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION (R S.2.64 CRORES)WAS CLAIMED FOR CARRY-FORWARD, THAT IN THE ORIGINAL ASS ESSMENT ORDER CARRY FORWARD OF SUCH LOSS WAS NOT DENIED,FOLLOWING THE D ECISION OF TIMES GUARANTEE LTD. (SUPRA), THAT ASSESSEE BROUGHT INTO THE NOTICE THAT THE HONBLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF GENERAL M OTORS INDIA(P) LTD. HAD DECIDED THE ISSUE OF CARRY FORWARD OF DEPR ECIATION IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSESSEE-COMPANY,THAT THE HONBLE COURT HAD HELD THAT UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION PERTAINING TO AY.997-98 COU LD BE ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD AND SET OFF AFTER A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS AND WITHOUT ANY TIME LIMIT.IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT, THE JUDGMENT HAD ALSO DEALT WITH THE CBDT CIRCULAR NO.1 4 OF 2001, THAT THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FOR THE PERIOD AY.1997- 98 TILL AY.2006- 07 BECAME DEPRECIATION OF AY.2008-09 FOR THE PURPOS E OF ALLOWABILITY OF DEPRECIATION, THAT IT LOST ITS CHARACTER OF BEIN G UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF A PARTICULAR YEAR.THE ASSESSEE RELI ED UPON THE CASES OF ARCH FINE CHEMICALS (P) LTD.(ITA / 2014- ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 5 2415/MUM/2012,DT.9.10.13)AND ASSOCIATED CABLES PVT.LTD.(ITA/556/MUM/2012,DT.31. 10.13). AFTER CONSIDERING THE SUBMISSION OF THE ASSESSEE AN D THE ASSESSMENT ORDER THE FAA HELD THAT THE RESTRICTION OF 8 YRS FO R CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION HAD BEEN DISPENS ED WITH FROM AY.2002-03, THAT THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FROM A Y.1997-98 UPTO AY.2001-02 GOT CARRY FORWARD TO AY.2002-03 AND BECA ME PART THEREOF, THAT THE HONBLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF GENERAL MOTORS (I) PVT. LTD. (25TAXMANN.COM 364) HAD HELD T HAT UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION HAD TO BE ALLOWED TO BE CARRY FORWARD. HE FURTHER MENTIONED THAT IN THE CASE OF ARCH FINE CHEMICALS L TD.(SUPRA), THE TRIBUNAL HAD FOLLOWED THE JUDGMENT OF GENERAL MOTOR S (I)PVT.LTD.(SUPRA).FOLLOWING THE DECISIONS OF THE A RCH FINE CHEMICALS LTD. AND ASSOCIATED CABLES PVT. LTD. ALLOWED THE AP PEAL FILED BY THE ASSESSEE. 4.BEFORE US,THE DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE(DR)SUPP ORTED THE ORDER OF THE AO.THE AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE(AR)REFERRED TO THE CASES OF GENERAL MOTORS(I)LTD.,BAJAJ HINDUSTAN LTD.(47TAXMAN N.COM333) DT.17.4.14, AND SMITH AND NEPHEW HEALTHCARE(P) LTD. (50 TAXMANN.COM420 DT.15.1.14). 5.WE HAVE HEARD THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS AND PERUSED T HE MATERIAL BEFORE US.WE FIND THAT THE HONBLE GUJARAT HIGH COU RT HAS DEALT WITH THE ISSUE AT LENGTH AS UNDER. 32.THE LAST QUESTION WHICH ARISES FOR CONSIDERATION I S THAT WHETHER THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION PERTAINING TO THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1997-98 COULD BE ALLOWED TO BE CARR IED FORWARD AND SET OFF AFTER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS OR IT WOUL D BE GOVERNED BY SECTION 32 AS AMENDED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001 ? THE REASON GIVEN BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER UNDER SECT ION 147 IS THAT SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT WAS AMENDED BY THE FIN ANCE (NO. 2) ACT OF 1996, WITH EFFECT FROM THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 199 7-98 AND THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1 997-98 COULD BE CARRIED FORWARD UP TO THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS FROM THE YEAR IN WHICH IT WAS FIRST COMPUTED. A CCORDING TO THE ASSESSING OFFICER, EIGHT YEARS EXPIRED IN THE ASSE SSMENT YEAR 2005-06 AND ONLY TILL THEN, THE ASSESSEE WAS ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1997- 98 FOR ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 6 BEING CARRIED FORWARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE INCOME FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2005-06. BUT THE ASSESSEE WAS NOT E NTITLED FOR UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF RS. 43,60,22,158 FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1997-98, WHICH WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BEING CARRIE D FORWARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE INCOME FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEA R 2006-07. 33. PRIOR TO THE FINANCE (NO. 2) ACT OF 1996 THE UNA BSORBED DEPRECIATION FOR ANY YEAR WAS ALLOWED TO BE CARRY F ORWARD INDEFINITELY AND BY A DEEMING FICTION BECAME ALLOWA NCE OF THE IMMEDIATELY SUCCEEDING YEAR. THE FINANCE (NO. 2) ACT OF 1996 RESTRICTED THE CARRY FORWARD OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIAT ION AND SET- OFF TO A LIMIT OF EIGHT YEARS, FROM THE ASSESSMENT YE AR 1997-98. CIRCULAR NO. 762, DATED FEBRUARY 18, 1998 (SEE [199 8] 230 ITR (ST.) 12 ), ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TA XES (CBDT) IN THE FORM OF EXPLANATORY NOTES CATEGORICALLY PROVIDED , THAT THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR ANY PREVIOUS YEAR TO WHICH FULL EFFECT CANNOT BE GIVEN IN THAT PREVIOUSYEAR SHALL BE CARRIED FORWARD AND ADDED TO THE DEPRECIATION ALLOWA NCE OF THE NEXT YEAR AND BE DEEMED TO BE PART THEREOF. 34. SO, THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE OF THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1996-97 WOULD BE ADDED TO THE ALLOWANCE OF THE A SSESSMENT YEAR 1997-98AND THE LIMITATION OF EIGHT YEARS FOR TH E CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF SUCH UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION WOULD START FROM THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1997-98. 35. WE MAY NOW EXAMINE THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32 (2) OF THE ACT BEFORE ITS AMENDMENT BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001. T HE SECTION, PRIOR TO ITS AMENDMENT BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001, REA D AS UNDER : XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 36. THE AFORESAID PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED BY THE FIN ANCE (NO.2) ACT, 1996, AND FURTHER AMENDED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2 000. THE PROVISION INTRODUCED BY THE FINANCE (NO. 2) ACT WAS CLARIFIED BY THE FINANCE MINISTER TO BE APPLICABLE WITH PROSPECTIV E EFFECT. 37. SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT WAS AMENDED BY THE FINA NCE ACT, 2001, AND THE PROVISION SO AMENDED READS AS UNDER : 'WHERE, IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ASSESSEE, FULL EFFECT CANNOT BE GIVEN TO ANY ALLOWANCE UNDER SUBSECTION (1) IN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR , OWING TO THERE BEING NO PROFITS OR GAINS CHARGEABLE FOR THAT P REVIOUS YEAR, OR OWING TO THE PROFITS OR GAINS CHARGEABLE BEING LES S THAN THE ALLOWANCE, THEN, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-SEC TION (2) OF SEC TION 72 AND SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 73, THE ALLOW ANCE OR THE PART OF THE ALLOWANCE TO WHICH EFFECT HAS NOT BEEN GIV EN, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT OF THE ALLOW ANCE FOR DEPRECIATION FOR THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS YEAR AND DEE MED TO BE PART OF THAT ALLOWANCE, OR IF THERE IS NO SUCH ALLOWA NCE FOR THAT PREVIOUS YEAR, BE DEEMED TO BE THE ALLOWANCE OF THAT PREVIOUS YEAR, AND SO ON FOR THE SUCCEEDING PREVIOUS YEARS.' ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 7 38. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT HAS BEEN CLARIFIED B Y THE CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES IN CIRCULAR NO. 14 OF 2001 (SEE [2001] 252 ITR (ST.) 65, 90). THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE SAID CIRCULAR READS AS UNDER : 'MODIFICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO DEPRECIATIO N 30.1 UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32 OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPREC IATION IS ALLOWED FOR EIGHT ASSESSMENT YEARS. 30.2 WITH A VIEW TO ENABLE THE INDUSTRY TO CONSERVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REPLACE PLANT AND MACHINERY, SPECIALLY IN A N ERA WHERE OBSOLESCENCE TAKES PLACE SO OFTEN, THE ACT HAS DISPEN SED WITH THE RESTRICTION OF EIGHT YEARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION. THE ACT HAS ALSO CLARIFIED T HAT IN COMPUTING THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFE SSION FOR ANY PREVIOUS YEAR, DEDUCTION OF DEPRECIATION UNDER SECT ION 32 SHALL BE MANDATORY. 30.3 UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, NO DEDUCTION FOR DEPRECIATION IS ALLOWED ON ANY MOTOR CAR MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE IN DIA UNLESS IT IS USED (I) IN THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING IT ON HIRE FOR TOURISTS, OR (II) OUTSIDE IN THE ASSESSEE'S BUSINESS OR PROFESSION IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. 30.4 THE ACT HAS ALLOWED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE ON AL L IMPORTED MOTOR CARS ACQUIRED ON OR AFTER 1ST APRIL, 2001. 30 .5 THESE AMENDMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE 1ST APRIL, 200 2, AND WILL, ACCORDINGLY, APPLY IN RELATION TO THE ASSESSMENT YE AR 2002-03 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS.' 39.THE CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES CIRCULAR CLARIF IES THE INTENT OF THE AMENDMENT THAT IT IS FOR ENABLING THE INDUSTRY TO CONSERVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REPLACE PLANT AND MACHINERY AND ACCORDINGLY THE AMENDMENT DISPENSES WITH THE RESTRICTION OF EIGHT Y EARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATIO N. THE AMENDMENT IS APPLICABLE FROM THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 200 2-03 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THIS MEANS THAT ANY UNABSORBED DEPR ECIATION AVAILABLE TO AN ASSESSEE ON THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 20 02 (THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2002-03), WILL BE DEALT WITH IN ACCO RDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY THE FIN ANCE ACT, 2001, AND NOT BY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS IT STOOD BEFORE THE SAID AMENDMENT. HAD THE INTENTION OF THE LEGISLAT URE BEEN TO ALLOW THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE WORKED O UT IN THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 1997-98 ONLY FOR EIGHT SUBSEQUENT AS SESSMENT YEARS EVEN AFTER THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 32(2) BY T HE FINANCE ACT, 2001, IT WOULD HAVE INCORPORATED A PROVISION TO THAT EFFECT. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY SUCH PROVISION. HEN CE, KEEPING IN VIEW THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT, A PURPOSIVE AND HARMONIOUS INTERPRETATION HAS TO BE TAKEN. ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 8 WHILE CONSTRUING THE TAXING STATUTES, RULE OF STRICT INTERPRETATION HAS TO BE APPLIED, GIVING FAIR AND REASONABLE CONSTR UCTION TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE SECTION WITHOUT LEANING TO THE SIDE OF THE ASSESSEE OR THE REVENUE. BUT IF THE LEGISLATURE FAILS TO EXPRES S CLEARLY AND THE ASSESSEE BECOMES ENTITLED FOR A BENEFIT WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE SECTION BY THE CLEAR WORDS USED IN THE SECTION, THE BE NEFIT ACCRUING TO THE ASSESSEE CANNOT BE DENIED. HOWEVER, CIRCULAR NO. 14 OF 2001 HAD CLARIFIED THAT UNDER SECTION 32(2), IN COMPUTING THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION FOR ANY PREVIOUS YEAR, DEDUCTION OF DEPRECIATION UNDER SECTION 32 SHA LL BE MANDATORY. THEREFORE, THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001, WOULD ALLOW THE UNA BSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE AVAILABLE IN THE ASSESSMENT YEARS 1997- 98, 1999-2000, 2000-01 AND 2001-02 TO BE CARRIED FO RWARD TO THE SUCCEEDING YEARS, AND IF ANY UNABSORBED DEPRECIA TION OR PART THEREOF COULD NOT BE SET OFF TILL THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2002-03 THEN IT WOULD BE CARRIED FORWARD TILL THE TIME IT IS SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF SUBSEQUENT YEARS. 40. THEREFORE , IT CAN BE SAID THAT, CURRENT DEPRECIATION IS DEDUCTIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE FROM THE INCOME OF THE BUSINESS TO WHICH IT RELATES. I F SUCH DEPRECIATION AMOUNT IS LARGER THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE PROFITS OF THAT BUSINESS, THEN SUCH EXCESS COMES FOR ABSORPTION F ROM THE PROFITS AND GAINS FROM ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR BUSINE SS, IF ANY, CARRIED ON BY THE ASSESSEE. IF A BALANCE IS LEFT EVE N THEREAFTER, THAT BECOMES DEDUCTIBLE FROM OUT OF INCOME FROM ANY SOUR CE UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER HEADS OF INCOME DURING THAT YEAR. IN CASE THERE IS A STILL BALANCE LEFT OVER, IT IS TO BE TREATED AS U NABSORBED DEPRECIATION AND IT IS TAKEN TO THE NEXT SUCCEEDING YEAR. WHERE THERE IS CURRENT DEPRECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEA R THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION IS ADDED TO THE CURRENT DEPR ECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEAR AND IS DEEMED AS PART THEREOF. IF, HOWEVER, THERE IS NO CURRENT DEPRECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEAR, THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION BECOMES THE DEPRECIATION ALL OWANCE FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEAR. WE ARE OF THE CONSIDERED OPINI ON THAT ANY UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION AVAILABLE TO AN ASSESSEE ON THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 2002 (THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2002-03), WILL B E DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AM ENDED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001. AND ONCE CIRCULAR NO. 14 OF 2 001 CLARIFIED THAT THE RESTRICTION OF EIGHT YEARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION HAD BEEN DISPENSED WITH, TH E UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FROM THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 199 7-98 UP TO THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2001-02 GOT CARRIED FORWARD TO THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2002-03 AND BECAME PART THEREOF, IT CAME TO BE GOVERNED BY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMEND ED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2001, AND WERE AVAILABLE FOR CARRY FOR WARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF SUBSEQUENT YEAR S, WITHOUT ANY LIMIT WHATSOEVER. ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 9 VARIOUS BENCHES OF THE TRIBUNAL HAVE FOLLOWED THE A BOVE JUDGMENT AND HAVE HELD THAT UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF AY.19 97-98 COULD BE ALLOWED TO BE CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF AFTER A PER IOD OF 8 YEARS IN VIEW OF THE AMENDED SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT.RESPEC TFULLY FOLLOWING THE JUDGMENT OF THE HONBLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN T HE CASE OF GENERAL MOTORS (I) PVT.LTD.,WE UPHOLD THE ORDER OF THE FAA.GROUND NO.1-2 ARE DECIDED AGAINST THE AO. 5.LAST GROUND OF APPEAL IS ABOUT RE-OPENING OF THE ASSESSMENT U/S. 147 OF THE ACT.THE FAA HELD THAT REOPENING WAS BAD IN L AW.WE HAVE DECIDED THE ISSUE ON MERITS,SO WE ARE NOT ADJUDICAT ING THE JURISDICTIONAL ISSUE TREATING THE SAME INFRUCTUOUS. AS A RESULT APPEAL FILED BY THE AO STANDS DISMISSED . 2.3. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT HON'BLE JURISDICTIONAL HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF M/S TIMES GUARANTEE LTD. (ITA NO.841 OF 2011) VIDE ORDER DATED 05/01/2012 ADMITTED THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIAL QUESTION OF LAW. 1. HEAD, ADMIT ON THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIAL QUESTI ON OF LAW. WHETHER THE SET OFF OF CARRIED FORWARD UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION RELATING TO A.Y. 1997-98 TO 1999-2000 IS TO BE DEAL T WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS APPLICABLE FOR A.Y. 1997-98 TO 19999-2000 OR THE SAME HAS TO BE DE ALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAID PROVISIONS AS APPLICABLE T O A.Y. 2003- 04 AND 2004-05? 2.4. APART FROM THE ABOVE, IT IS NOTED THAT HON'BL E GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN GENERAL MOTORS INDIA PVT. LTD . VS DCIT (2013) 354 ITR 244 (GUJ.) VIDE ORDER DATED 23/08/2012, DECIDED THE ISSUE IN FAVOUR OF THE ASSE SSEE. THE RELEVANT PORTION FROM THE AFORESAID ORDER IS RE PRODUCED HEREUNDER:- ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 10 30. THE LAST QUESTION WHICH ARISES FOR CONSIDERATI ON IS THAT WHETHER THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION PERTAINING TO A.Y. 1997 -98 COULD BE ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD AND SET OFF AFTER A P ERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS OR IT WOULD BE GOVERNED BY SECTION 32 AS AMEN DED BY FINANCE ACT 2001? THE REASON GIVEN BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER UNDER SECTION 147 IS THAT SECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT WAS AMENDED BY FINANCE ACT NO.2 OF 1996 W.E.F. A.Y. 1997-98 AND THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FOR THE A.Y. 1997-98 COULD BE CARRIED FORWARD UP TO THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 8 YEARS FROM THE YEAR IN WHICH IT WAS FIR ST COMPUTED. ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSING OFFICER, 8 YEARS EXPIRED IN THE A.Y. 2005- 06 AND ONLY TILL THEN, THE ASSESSEE WAS ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF A.Y. 1997-98 FOR BEING CARRIED FORW ARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE INCOME FOR THE A.Y. 2005-06. BUT THE AS SESSEE WAS NOT ENTITLED FOR UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION OF RS.43,60,22 ,158/- FOR A.Y. 1997-98, WHICH WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BEING CARRIED F ORWARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE INCOME FOR THE A.Y. 2006-07. 31. PRIOR TO THE FINANCE ACT NO.2 OF 1996 THE UNABS ORBED DEPRECIATION FOR ANY YEAR WAS ALLOWED TO BE CARRY F ORWARD INDEFINITELY AND BY A DEEMING FICTION BECAME ALLOWA NCE OF THE IMMEDIATELY SUCCEEDING YEAR. THE FINANCE ACT NO.2 O F 1996 RESTRICTED THE CARRY FORWARD OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIA TION AND SET-OFF TO A LIMIT OF 8 YEARS, FROM THE A.Y.1997-98. CIRCUL AR NO.762 DATED 18.2.1998 ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAX ES (CBDT) IN THE FORM OF EXPLANATORY NOTES CATEGORICALLY PROVIDED, T HAT THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR ANY PREVIOUS YEAR TO WHICH FULL EFFECT CANNOT BE GIVEN IN THAT PREVIOUS YEAR S HALL BE CARRIED FORWARD AND ADDED TO THE DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE OF THE NEXT YEAR AND BE DEEMED TO BE PART THEREOF. 32. SO, THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE OF A. Y. 1996-97 WOULD BE ADDED TO THE ALLOWANCE OF A.Y. 1997-98 AND THE LIMITATION OF 8 YEARS FOR THE CARRY-FORWARD AND SET-OFF OF SUC H UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION WOULD START FROM A.Y. 1997-98. 33. WE MAY NOW EXAMINE THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32 (2) OF THE ACT BEFORE ITS AMENDMENT BY FINANCE ACT 2001. THE SECTI ON PRIOR TO ITS AMENDMENT BY FINANCE ACT, 2001, READ AS UNDER:- 'WHERE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ASSESSEE FULL EFFEC T CANNOT BE GIVEN TO ANY ALLOWANCE UNDER CLAUSE (II) OF SUB-SECTION ( 1) IN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR OWNING TO THERE BEING NO PROFITS OR GAINS CHAR GEABLE FOR THAT PREVIOUS YEAR OR OWING TO THE PROFITS OR GAINS BEIN G LESS THAN THE ALLOWANCE, THEN, THE ALLOWANCE OR THE PART OF ALLOW ANCE TO WHICH EFFECT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE), AS THE CASE MAY BE,- (I) SHALL BE SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAINS, IF ANY, OF ANY BUSINESS OR PROFESSION CARRIED ON BY HIM AND ASSESS ABLE FOR THAT ASSESSMENT YEAR; (II) IF THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE CANNO T BE WHOLLY SET OFF UNDER CLAUSE (I), THE AMOUNT NOT SO SET OFF SHA LL BE SET OFF FROM THE INCOME UNDER ANY OTHER HEAD, IF ANY, ASSESSABLE FOR THAT ASSESSMENT YEAR; (III) IF THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE CANN OT BE WHOLLY SET OFF UNDER CLAUSE (I) AND CLAUSE (II), THE AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE NOT SO ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 11 SET OFF SHALL BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE FOLLOWING A SSESSMENT YEAR AND (A) IT SHALL BE SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAI NS, IF ANY, OF ANY BUSINESS OR PROFESSION CARRIED ON BY HIM AND ASSESS ABLE FOR THAT ASSESSMENT YEAR; (B) IF THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE CANNOT BE WHOLLY SO SET OFF, THE AMOUNT OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANC E NOT SO SET OFF SHALL BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMEN T YEAR NOT BEING MORE THAN EIGHT ASSESSMENT YEARS IMMEDIATELY SUCCEE DING THE ASSESSMENT YEAR FOR WHICH THE AFORESAID ALLOWANCE W AS FIRST COMPUTED: PROVIDED THAT THE TIME LIMIT OF EIGHT ASSESSMENT YE ARS SPECIFIED IN SUB-CLAUSE (B) SHALL NOT APPLY IN CASE OF A COMPANY FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR BEGINNING WITH THE ASSESSMENT YEAR RELEVANT TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN WHICH THE SAID COMPANY HAS BEC OME A SICK INDUSTRIAL COMPANY UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) OF SECTION 17 OF THE SICK INDUSTRIAL COMPANY (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1985 ( 1 OF 1986) AND ENDING WITH THE ASSESSMENT YEAR RELEVANT TO THE PRE VIOUS YEAR IN WHICH THE ENTIRE NET WORTH OF SUCH COMPANY BECOMES EQUAL TO OR EXCEEDS THE ACCUMULATED LOSSES. EXPLANATION.- FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE, 'NET WORTH' SHALL HAVE THE MEANING ASSIGNED TO IT IN CLAUSE (GA) OF SUB-SE CTION (1) OF SECTION 3 OF THE SICK INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) ACT, 1985.' 34. THE AFORESAID PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED BY FINAN CE (NO.2) ACT, 1996 AND FURTHER AMENDED BY THE FINANCE ACT, 2000. THE PROVISION INTRODUCED BY FINANCE (NO.2) ACT WAS CLARIFIED BY THE FINANCE MINISTER TO BE APPLICABLE WITH PROSPECTIVE EFFECT. 35. SECTION 32 (2) OF THE ACT WAS AMENDED BY FINANC E ACT, 2001 AND THE PROVISION SO AMENDED READS AS UNDER :- 'WHERE, IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ASSESSEE, FULL EFF ECT CANNOT BE GIVEN TO ANY ALLOWANCE UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) IN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR, OWING TO THERE BEING NO PROFITS OR GAINS CHARGEABLE FOR THAT PREVIOUS YEAR, OR OWING TO THE PROFITS OR GAINS CHARGEABLE F OR THAT PREVIOUS YEAR, OWING TO THE PROFITS OR GAINS CHARGEABLE BEIN G LESS THAN THE ALLOWANCE, THEN, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUB-S ECTION (2) OF SECTION 72 AND SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 73, THE A LLOWANCE OR THE PART OF THE ALLOWANCE TO WHICH EFFECT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT OF THE ALLOWAN CE FOR DEPRECIATION FOR THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS YEAR AND DE EMED TO BE PART OF THAT ALLOWANCE, OR IF THERE IS NO SUCH ALLOWANCE FOR THAT PREVIOUS YEAR, BE DEEMED TO BE ALLOWANCE OF THAT PREVIOUS YE AR, AND SO ON FOR THE SUCCEEDING PREVIOUS YEARS.' 36. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT HAS BEEN CLARIFIE D BY CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES IN THE CIRCULAR NO.14 OF 2001 . THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE SAID CIRCULAR READS AS UNDER :- ' MODIFICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO DEPRECIATION 30.1 UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32 OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPREC IATION IS ALLOWED FOR 8 ASSESSMENT YEARS. ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 12 30.2 WITH A VIEW TO ENABLE THE INDUSTRY TO CONSERVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REPLACE PLANT AND MACHINERY, SPECIALLY IN AN ERA WHERE OBSOLESCENCE TAKES PLACE SO OFTEN, THE ACT HAS DISP ENSED WITH THE RESTRICTION OF 8 YEARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OF F OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION. THE ACT HAS ALSO CLARIFIED THAT IN CO MPUTING THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION FOR ANY PREVIOU S YEAR, DEDUCTION OF DEPRECIATION UNDER SECTION 32 SHALL BE MANDATORY . 30.3 UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, NO DEDUCTION FO R DEPRECIATION IS ALLOWED ON ANY MOTOR CAR MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE INDIA UNLESS IT IS USED (I) IN THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING IT ON HIRE FOR TOURISTS, OR (II) OUTSIDE IN THE ASSESSEES BUSINESS OR PROFESSION IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. 30.4 THE ACT HAS ALLOWED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE ON ALL IMPORTED MOTOR CARS ACQUIRED ON OR AFTER 1ST APRIL, 2001. 30.5 THESE AMENDMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE 1ST APRIL, 2002, AND WILL, ACCORDINGLY, APPLY IN RELATION TO THE ASS ESSMENT YEAR 2002- 03 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS.' 37. THE CBDT CIRCULAR CLARIFIES THE INTENT OF THE A MENDMENT THAT IT IS FOR ENABLING THE INDUSTRY TO CONSERVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO REPLACE PLANT AND MACHINERY AND ACCORDINGLY THE AMENDMENT D ISPENSES WITH THE RESTRICTION OF 8 YEARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SE T OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION. THE AMENDMENT IS APPLICABLE FROM ASSE SSMENT YEAR 2002-03 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THIS MEANS THAT ANY U NABSORBED DEPRECIATION AVAILABLE TO AN ASSESSEE ON 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 2002 (A.Y. 2002-03) WILL BE DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY FINANCE ACT, 2001 AND N OT BY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS IT STOOD BEFORE THE SAID AMENDMENT. HAD THE INTENTION OF THE LEGISLATURE BEEN TO ALLOW THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE WORKED OUT IN A.Y. 1997-98 O NLY FOR EIGHT SUBSEQUENT ASSESSMENT YEARS EVEN AFTER THE AMENDMEN T OF SECTION 32(2) BY FINANCE ACT, 2001 IT WOULD HAVE INCORPORAT ED A PROVISION TO THAT EFFECT. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY SU CH PROVISION. HENCE KEEPING IN VIEW THE PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT OF S ECTION 32(2) OF THE ACT, A PURPOSIVE AND HARMONIOUS INTERPRETATI ON HAS TO BE TAKEN. WHILE CONSTRUING TAXING STATUTES, RULE OF ST RICT INTERPRETATION HAS TO BE APPLIED, GIVING FAIR AND REASONABLE CONST RUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE SECTION WITHOUT LEANING TO THE SIDE OF ASSESSEE OR THE REVENUE. BUT IF THE LEGISLATURE FAILS TO EXPRES S CLEARLY AND THE ASSESSEE BECOMES ENTITLED FOR A BENEFIT WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE SECTION BY THE CLEAR WORDS USED IN THE SECTION, THE BENEFIT ACCRUING TO THE ASSESSEE CANNOT BE DENIED. HOWEVER, CIRCULAR NO.14 OF 2001 HAD CLARIFIED THAT UNDER SECTION 32(2), IN COMPUTIN G THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION FOR ANY PREVIOUS YE AR, DEDUCTION OF DEPRECIATION UNDER SECTION 32 SHALL BE MANDATORY. T HEREFORE, THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY FINANCE A CT, 2001 WOULD ALLOW THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE AVAILAB LE IN THE A.Y. 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-01 AND 2001-02 TO BE CARRI ED FORWARD TO THE SUCCEEDING YEARS, AND IF ANY UNABSORBED DEPRECI ATION OR PART THEREOF COULD NOT BE SET OFF TILL THE A.Y. 2002-03 THEN IT WOULD BE CARRIED FORWARD TILL THE TIME IT IS SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAINS OF SUBSEQUENT YEARS. 38. THEREFORE, IT CAN BE SAID THAT, CURRENT DEPRECI ATION IS DEDUCTIBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE FROM THE INCOME OF THE BUSINESS TO WHICH IT RELATES. IF SUCH DEPRECIATION AMOUNT IS LARGER THAN THE AMOU NT OF THE PROFITS ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 13 OF THAT BUSINESS, THEN SUCH EXCESS COMES FOR ABSORP TION FROM THE PROFITS AND GAINS FROM ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR BUSINE SS, IF ANY, CARRIED ON BY THE ASSESSEE. IF A BALANCE IS LEFT EV EN THEREAFTER, THAT BECOMES DEDUCTIBLE FROM OUT OF INCOME FROM ANY SOUR CE UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER HEADS OF INCOME DURING THAT YEAR. IN C ASE THERE IS A STILL BALANCE LEFT OVER, IT IS TO BE TREATED AS UNABSORBE D DEPRECIATION AND IT IS TAKEN TO THE NEXT SUCCEEDING YEAR. WHERE THER E IS CURRENT DEPRECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEAR THE UNABSORBE D DEPRECIATION IS ADDED TO THE CURRENT DEPRECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCE EDING YEAR AND IS DEEMED AS PART THEREOF. IF, HOWEVER, THERE IS NO CU RRENT DEPRECIATION FOR SUCH SUCCEEDING YEAR, THE UNABSORB ED DEPRECIATION BECOMES THE DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR SUCH SUCCEED ING YEAR. WE ARE OF THE CONSIDERED OPINION THAT ANY UNABSORBED D EPRECIATION AVAILABLE TO AN ASSESSEE ON 1ST DAY OF APRIL 2002 ( A.Y. 2002-03) WILL BE DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY FINANCE ACT, 2001. AND ONCE THE CIRCULAR NO.14 OF 2001 CLARIFIED THAT THE RESTRICTION OF 8 YEARS FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF OF UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION HAD BEEN DISPENSED WITH, THE UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION FROM A.Y.1997-98 UPTO THE A .Y.2001-02 GOT CARRIED FORWARD TO THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2002-03 AND BECAME PART THEREOF, IT CAME TO BE GOVERNED BY THE PROVISI ONS OF SECTION 32(2) AS AMENDED BY FINANCE ACT, 2001 AND WERE AVAI LABLE FOR CARRY FORWARD AND SET OFF AGAINST THE PROFITS AND GAINS O F SUBSEQUENT YEARS, WITHOUT ANY LIMIT WHATSOEVER. 2.5. THE CASE OF THE ASSESSEE IS FURTHER FORTIFIED BY THE DECISION OF THE MUMBAI BENCH OF THE TRIBUNAL IN THE CASE OF DHADDA DIAMONDS PVT. LTD. VS INCOME TAX OFFICER (IT A NO.3908 TO 3911/MUM/2013) ORDER DATED 25/03/2015. THE DECISION OF HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWED BY THE COORDINATE BENCHES OF THE TRIBUNAL. CONSIDERING THE TOTALITY OF FACTS, AND RE SPECTFULLY FOLLOWING THE DECISION FROM HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH CO URT AND COORDINATE BENCHES OF THE TRIBUNAL, WE FIND MERIT I N THE CONTENTION OF THE LD. COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE. EVE N OTHERWISE, THE LD. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPE AL), FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF THE COORDINATE BENCHES OF THE TRIBUNAL AND THE DECISION FROM HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT HAS DIRECTED THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO VERIFY THE CL AIM OF CARRY FORWARD UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION, AVAILABLE TO BE SE T OFF THEN ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 14 THE SAME MAY BE ALLOWED. NO CONTRARY FACTS/DECISION WERE BROUGHT TO OUR NOTICE BY THE REVENUE, THUS, FOLLOWI NG THE DECISION OF THE COORDINATE BENCHES OF THE TRIBUNAL AND HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT, WE AFFIRM THE ORDER OF THE LD. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEAL). SO FAR AS, THE CONTENTION OF THE LD. DR THAT ORDER OF THE SPECIAL BENCH WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE LD. COMMISSIO NER OF INCOME TAX (APPEAL), IN PRINCIPLE, WE ARE IN AGREEM ENT WITH THE CONTENTION OF THE LD. DR THAT JUDICIAL DISCIPLI NE MANDATES THAT THE ORDER OF THE HIGHER AUTHORITIES/H IGHER FORUM HAS TO BE GIVE DUE WEIGHTAGE AND TO BE FOLLO WED. HOWEVER, THE LD. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEAL ) HAS DULY FOLLOWED VARIOUS LATER DECISIONS OF THE TRIBUN AL INCLUDING HON'BLE GUJARAT HIGH COURT, THEREFORE, TH ERE IS NO SUCH VIOLATION OF THE ORDER BY THE FIRST APPELLATE AUTHORITY. FINALLY, THE APPEAL OF THE REVENUE IS DISMISSED. THIS ORDER WAS PRONOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT IN THE PRESENCE OF LD. REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH SIDES AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE HEARING ON 02/02/2017. SD/- SD/- ( MANOJ KUMAR AGGARWAL ) (JOGINDER SINGH) '!# / ACCOUNTANT MEMBER $!# /JUDICIAL MEMBER % MUMBAI; ) DATED : 02/02/2017 F{X~{T? P.S/. . . ITA NO.5053/MUM/2016 M/S JASRA GRAPHICS PVT. LTD. 15 %$&'()(*& / COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO : 1. +,- / THE APPELLANT (RESPECTIVE ASSESSEE) 2. ./,- / THE RESPONDENT. 3. 0 0 1$ ( + ) / THE CIT, MUMBAI. 4. 0 0 1$ / CIT(A)- , MUMBAI, 5. 34 .$! , 0 +' ! 5 , % / DR, ITAT, MUMBAI 6. 6' 7% / GUARD FILE. ! / BY ORDER, /3+$ .$ //TRUE COPY// /! (DY./ASSTT. REGISTRAR) , % / ITAT, MUMBAI