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253 judgments · newest first · showing 1–200

CHLORO CONTROLS (I) P. LTD.versusSEVERN TRENT WATER PURIFICATION INC. AND ORS.

2012 INSC 436Dismissed

Chloro Controls (India) Pvt. Ltd. filed a suit seeking declaration and injunction against Severn Trent Water Purification Inc. and related entities over a joint‑venture arrangement involving multiple agreements, some of which contained arbitration clauses. The respondents moved under Section 45 of …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-IIversusM/S. KRISHI UTPADAN MANDI SAMITI

2012 INSC 433Dismissed

The Mandi Samiti, a market committee established under the Uttar Pradesh Krishi Utpadan Mandi Adhiniyam, 1964, collects market fees and is statutorily required to transfer certain amounts to the Mandi Parishad. Both entities are registered under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue …

RE: SPECIAL REFERENCE N0.1 OF 2012versus--

2012 INSC 428Reference answered

The President of India made a reference under Article 143(1) of the Constitution seeking the Supreme Court's opinion on whether auction is the only permissible method for disposal of all natural resources, following the Court's judgment in the 2G case which had quashed spectrum licenses and directed …

JITENDRA NATH SINGHversusTHE OFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR & ORS.

2012 INSC 415Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant workmen sought priority over the sale proceeds of unsecured assets of UMI Special Steels Ltd., arguing that under Sections 529 and 529A of the Companies Act, 1956, workmen's dues should rank ahead of secured creditors on those assets. The respondents, representing the secured …

BHARAT ALUMINIUM CO.versusKAISER ALUMINIUM TECHNICAL SERVICE, INC.

2012 INSC 379Reference answered

The dispute arose from a contract between Bharat Aluminium Co. and Kaiser Aluminium Technical Service, Inc. that provided for arbitration in London under English law, but governed the contract by Indian law. After two awards were rendered in England, the appellant sought to set aside the awards …

BHOPAL GAS PEEDITH MAHILA UDYOG SANGATHAN & ORS.versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2012 INSC 326Transferred to High Court

The Supreme Court heard a public‑interest writ filed by Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangathan on behalf of the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, seeking free medical care, implementation of research studies, and proper administration of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital Trust (BMHT). The Court …

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANYversusDIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX, BANGALORE

2012 INSC 307Disposed off

Columbia Sportswear Co., a US company with liaison offices in India, sought an advance ruling from the Authority for Advance Rulings (Income Tax) on taxability and permanent establishment issues. The Authority issued a binding ruling, which the company challenged by filing a Special Leave Petition …

SAMAJ PARIVARTAN SAMUDAYA & ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA &ORS.

2012 INSC 230Hearing Adjourned

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by Samaj Parivartan Samuday alleging continued illegal mining of iron ore in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, despite earlier orders and a CBI charge‑sheet. The Court considered reports of a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that identified …

ARUNA RODRIGUES AND ORS.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2012 INSC 220Hearing Adjourned

The petitioners filed a public‑interest litigation under Article 32 seeking a complete ban on the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and a biosafety protocol. Earlier Supreme Court orders had required GEAC approval for field trials and later lifted the moratorium with specific …

STATE OF KERALA & ORS.versusM/S. MAR APPRAEM KURI CO. LTD. & ANR.

2012 INSC 205Reference answered

The State of Kerala amended its Chitties Act, 1975 to bring chitties registered outside the state but with substantial Kerala subscribers within its regulatory ambit. Private chit firms challenged the amendment as repugnant to the Central Chit Funds Act, 1982 under Article 254(1). The Supreme Court …

AVISHEK GOENKAversusUNION OF INDIA AND ANR.

2012 INSC 186Case Partly allowed

The petitioner, a public‑spirited citizen, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a direction that all motor vehicles in India be fitted only with safety glass having 100% visual light transmission (VLT) and that the use of black films on vehicle windshields and side windows be prohibited. …

AVISHEK GOENKAversusUNION OF INDIA AND ANR.

2012 INSC 188Case Partly allowed

The petitioners, led by Avishek Goenka, raised a public‑interest writ alleging that prepaid SIM cards were being sold without proper identity verification, posing security risks and violating Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notifications. The petitioner sought strict enforcement of …

SOCIETY FOR UN-AIDED P.SCHOOL OF RAJASTHANversusU.O.I. & ANR.

2012 INSC 169Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, particularly sections 3, 12(1)(b) and 12(1)(c), which impose admission and fee‑reimbursement obligations on schools. The petitioners argued that these provisions infringed the …

IN RE : NETWORKING OF RIVERSversus.

2012 INSC 109Disposed off

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ petition seeking directions to the Union and several State governments to nationalise rivers and inter‑link them for flood control and drought mitigation. The petitioners relied on the National Water Policy, the 1980 National Perspective Plan and …

K.B. NAGUR M.D. (AYU.)versusUNION OF INDIA

2012 INSC 104

K.B. Nagur, an Ayurvedic doctor, filed a public‑interest writ petition alleging that elections to the Central Council of Indian Medicine had not been held for two decades and that Section 7 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 – specifically the clause "or until his successor shall have …

CATHOLIC SYRIAN BANK LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, THRISSUR

2012 INSC 95Disposed off

Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. appealed against the Commissioner of Income Tax, Thrissur, challenging the denial of a deduction for bad debts under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The bank argued that deductions under Section 36(1)(vii) (write‑off of irrecoverable debts) are independent …

VIKAS KALRAversusTHE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-VIII, NEW DELHI

2012 INSC 81Disposed off

The appellant, an exporter, claimed deductions under Section 80HHC for profits retained for export business, arguing that the face value of the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) is "cash assistance" and should be excluded from profit under Section 28(iiib). The Assessing Officer treated the entire …

M/S TOPMAN EXPORTSversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, MUMBAI

2012 INSC 83Disposed off

Mis Topman Exports sold its Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) and claimed a deduction under section 80HHC of the Income Tax Act for the assessment year 2002-03. The Assessing Officer treated the entire sale proceeds as profit on transfer under section 28(iiid), denying the deduction. The Tribunal …

MANINDERJIT SINGH BITTAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2012 INSC 78Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the persistent failure of several State Governments and Union Territories to implement the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) scheme mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The petitioners sought enforcement of the statutory provisions and earlier Supreme Court …

RAHEJA UNVIERSAL LIMITEDversusNRC LIMITED & ORS.

2012 INSC 77Dismissed

NRC Ltd, a sick industrial company, entered into a memorandum of understanding and subsequent agreements with K. Raheja Universal Ltd for the sale of 344 acres of land to raise funds for restructuring. The sale was only partially paid and the company later sought a corporate debt restructuring (CDR) …

VODAFONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.versusUNION OF INDIA & ANR.

2012 INSC 45Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined Vodafone International Holdings' acquisition of the entire share capital of CGP Investments (Holdings) Ltd., a Cayman Islands company that indirectly held a 52% stake in Hutchison Essar Ltd. (HEL). The Revenue argued that the sale of CGP, together with associated rights …

THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER AND ANR.versusM/S SRI SEETARAM RICE MILL

2011 INSC 772Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned a rice mill that consumed electricity beyond its contracted load, leading the Executive Engineer to issue a provisional assessment under Section 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The mill challenged the assessment and the accompanying notice of "unauthorised use" before the High …

K.T. PLANTATION PVT. LTD. & ANRversusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2011 INSC 554Dismissed

The case concerned lands in the Roerich estate that were exempted from Karnataka's Land Reforms Act, 1961 under Section 107 for linaloe cultivation. The State Government withdrew this exemption by issuing a notification under Section 110 of the Act in 1994, and later enacted the Roerich and Devika …

RAJIV SARIN & ANR.versusSTATE OF UTTARAKHAND & ORS.

2011 INSC 553

The appellants, heirs of a zamindar, challenged a Gazette notification under Section 4‑A of the Kumaun and Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1960 (KUZALR Act) that vested their 1,600 acres of forest land in the State on 1 January 1978. They argued that the vesting was …

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD SECURITYversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2011 INSC 385Heard

The Centre for Environment and Food Security filed a public‑interest writ petition seeking directions to ensure proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) and its schemes, alleging fund diversion and irregularities, particularly in Orissa. The …

KALYANESHWARIversusU.0.I. & ORS.

2011 INSC 386Heard

The NGO Kalyaneswari and its Secretary B.K. Sharma filed a writ petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking the closure of an asbestos manufacturing unit, which the High Court dismissed as being filed at the behest of rival industrial groups and lacking bona fides. Undeterred, they approached the …

C.B.I. AND ORS.versusKESHUB MAHINDRA ETC. ETC.

2011 INSC 378Dismissed

The case stems from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, where the CBI filed charge sheets alleging offences under Sections 304, 324, 326, 429 and 35 IPC. The Sessions Court framed those charges, but the Supreme Court, in Keshub Mahindra v. State of M.P. (1996), quashed them and directed that only Section …

MANINDERJIT SINGH BITTAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2011 INSC 280Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the implementation of the High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) scheme introduced under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. While earlier judgments upheld the Central Government's power to issue the scheme, many states failed to comply, …

MINERAL AREA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ETC.versusM/S. STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA AND ORS.

2011 INSC 237Matter referred to larger bench

The Supreme Court, hearing a civil appeal filed by the Mineral Area Development Authority against the Steel Authority of India, noted a conflict between two earlier decisions—one by a five‑Judge Bench in State of West Bengal v. Kesoram Industries Ltd. and another by a seven‑Judge Bench in India …

GUFFIC CHEM P. LTD. ETC.versusC.L.T., BELGAUM & ANR.

2011 INSC 209Appeal(s) allowed

During the assessment year 1997-98 Gufic Chem Ltd. received Rs. 50 lakh as a non‑competition fee under an agreement that prohibited it from carrying on its pharmaceutical business for 20 years. The Assessing Officer treated the amount as a capital receipt, a view upheld by the Commissioner of Income …

CENTRE FOR PIL & ANR.versusUNION OF INDIA & ANR.

2011 INSC 175Case Allowed

The Supreme Court examined the legality of Shri P.J. Thomas's appointment as Central Vigilance Commissioner under Section 4(1) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, which was based on a recommendation by the High Powered Committee (HPC). The Court found that the HPC failed to consider …

GVK INDS. LTD. & ANR.versusTHE INCOME TAX OFFICER & ANR.

2011 INSC 167Reference answered

GVK Industries Ltd. challenged a tax order that invoked sections 9(1)(i) and 9(1)(vii)(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, arguing that the provisions were unconstitutional for lacking a nexus with India. The High Court upheld the tax provision, relying on the ECIL judgment, prompting a Supreme Court …

ELECTRONICS CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2011 INSC 129Disposed off

Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), a central government PSU, challenged show‑cause notices issued by the Ministry of Finance that sought reversal of Modvat/Cenvat credit on inputs that had been written off. The adjudicating authority rejected ECIL’s claim that the write‑off complied with …

JOYDEEP MUKHARJEEversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL & ORS.

2011 INSC 94Dismissed

The petitioner, Joydeep Mukharjee, filed a public interest litigation challenging the allotment of government lands in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, alleging that the Chief Minister's use of a discretionary quota was arbitrary, illegal, and violated the Master Plan as well as Articles 14 and 21 of the …

KALYANESHWARIversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2011 INSC 60Disposed off

The NGO Kalyaneshwari filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a mandamus to ban all mining and manufacturing of asbestos in India and to set up a committee for victim identification. The Court examined whether it could legislate a ban, whether the petition was a bona fide public‑interest …

OFFSHORE HOLDINGS PVT. LTD.versusBANGALORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY & ORS .

2011 INSC 54Reference answered

The Supreme Court examined whether Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act, which provides for lapse of acquisition proceedings after two years, applies to acquisitions made under the Bangalore Development Authority Act (BDA Act). The appellant argued that the acquisition had lapsed, rendering the …

GIRNAR TRADERSversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.

2011 INSC 26Reference answered

The case concerned a parcel of land in Jalgaon reserved for a development plan under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966. The appellant claimed that the State Government and Municipal Council failed to acquire the land within the time limits prescribed by the MRTP Act and …

JT. C. I. T., MUMBAIversusM/S ROLTA INDIA LTD.

2011 INSC 18Disposed off

Rolta India Ltd. filed a return showing nil total income, but the Assessing Officer levied tax on book profits under Section 115JA and charged interest under Sections 2348 and 234C for default in advance tax. The assessee contended, relying on the Karnataka High Court's Kwality Biscuits decision, …

INDO RAMA SYNTHETICS (I) LTD.versusC.L.T., NEW DELHI

2011 INSC 10Dismissed

Indo Rama Synthetics (I) Ltd. revalued its fixed assets in FY 2000, creating a revaluation reserve of Rs 288.58 crore. In FY 2001 it transferred Rs 26.11 crore of differential depreciation from that reserve to its profit‑and‑loss account, thereby reducing depreciation expense and showing a profit. …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CHENNAIversusTULSYAN NEC LTD.

2010 INSC 884Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) credit under Section 115JAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 must be set off against assessed tax before computing interest under Sections 234A, 234B and 234C. It held that the tax paid under Section 115JA is a "tax" within the meaning of the …

B.S.N.LversusRELIANCE COMMUNICATION LTD.

2010 INSC 827Appeal(s) allowed

BSNL alleged that Reliance Communications had routed international calls as local calls, thereby evading higher Interconnect Usage Charges (IUC) and Access Deficit Charges (ADC). BSNL invoked clause 6.4.6 of their inter‑connect agreement to levy a large sum as a "penalty". The Telecom Disputes …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, NEW DELHIversusM/S HARI CHAND SHRI GOPAL & OTHER

2010 INSC 785Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether manufacturers of excisable final products could claim exemption from excise duty on specified intermediate goods under Notification 121/94‑CE by relying on "intended use" and the doctrine of "substantial compliance" of Chapter X of the Central Excise Rules, despite …

ASSOCIATION OF LEASING AND FINANCIAL SERVICE COMPANIESversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2010 INSC 733Dismissed

The Association of Leasing and Financial Service Companies challenged the levy of service tax under Section 66 of the Finance Act, 1994 (as amended) on financial leasing, equipment leasing and hire‑purchase services, arguing that Parliament lacked competence under Entry 97 of List I because Article …

BRIJ LAL & ORS.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ACT, 1961

2010 INSC 714Disposed off

The appellants filed settlement applications under Chapter XIX‑A of the Income Tax Act and disputed the levy of interest under sections 234A, 234B and 234C for default in advance tax. The Supreme Court was asked (i) whether these interest provisions apply to Settlement Commission proceedings, (ii) …

ICICI BANK LIMITEDversusOFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR OF APS STAR INDUSTRIES LTD. AND ORS.

2010 INSC 663Appeal(s) allowed

ICICI Bank assigned a portfolio of non‑performing assets (NPAs) worth Rs 52.45 crore to Kotak Mahindra Bank under a deed of assignment. One of the borrowers, APS Star Industries Ltd., entered liquidation and Kotak sought to be substituted as the secured creditor in the winding‑up proceedings. The …

M/S. IBA HEALTH (I) P. LTD.versusM/S INFO-DRIVE SYSTEMS SDN. BHD.

2010 INSC 639Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, IBA Health (India) Ltd., challenged a winding‑up petition filed by the respondent, Info‑Drive Systems Bhd., which alleged non‑payment of commission fees under a deed of settlement. The petition relied on Sections 433(e) and 434 of the Companies Act, 1956, claiming the appellant had …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusAZAD COACH BUILDERS PVT.LTD. & ANR.

2010 INSC 607Dismissed

Azad Coach Builders was contracted by an exporter to fabricate bus bodies according to a foreign buyer’s specifications, after which the bodies were mounted on chassis and exported as complete buses. The assessee claimed exemption from State sales tax under Section 5(3) of the Central Sales Tax Act, …

GE INDIA TECHNOLOGY CENTRE PRIVATE LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX & ANR.

2010 INSC 592Appeal(s) allowed

GE India Technology Centre Private Ltd. imported software and paid the foreign supplier for a licence. The Income Tax Officer held the payment to be a royalty deemed to accrue in India, requiring tax deduction at source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Commissioner upheld …

COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIAversusSTEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LTD. & ANR.

2010 INSC 587Case Partly allowed

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) received a complaint that Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) had abused its dominant position by entering an exclusive supply agreement with Indian Railways. The CCI formed a prima facie view and directed the Director General to investigate under s.26(1) of …

AJANTA PHARMA LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-9, MUMBAI

2010 INSC 594Appeal(s) allowed

Ajanta Pharma Ltd., a Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) company, claimed a 100% reduction of export profits while computing "book profits" under Section 115JB of the Income Tax Act for AY 2001-02, invoking Section 80HHC. The Assessing Officer allowed only an 80% reduction based on Section 80HHC(1B). Both …

NAGBHAI NAJBHAI KHACKARversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2010 INSC 588Dismissed

The appellants, Nagbhai Najbai Khackar, challenged the inclusion of their "bid lands"—uncultivable waste lands used for grazing—within the ceiling limits of the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling Act, 1960 as amended by Act 2 of 1974. They argued that the amendment unintentionally omitted the word …

M/S. TECHNO SHARES & STOCKS LTD.versusTHE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX IV

2010 INSC 596Appeal(s) allowed

M/s. Techno Shares & Stocks Ltd. claimed depreciation on the cost of its Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) membership card for assessment years 1999-2003, invoking Section 32(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Assessing Officer rejected the claim, holding that the membership card was a personal, …

GLANROCK ESTATE (P) LTD.versusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU

2010 INSC 589Dismissed

The petitioners, Glanrock Estate Ltd., challenged the validity of the Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 (the Janmam Act) after it was placed in the Ninth Schedule by the Constitution (Thirty‑fourth Amendment) Act, 1974. They argued that the Act violated …

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, BANAGALOREversusM/S, N.I. SYSTEMS (INDIA) P. LTD.

2010 INSC 404Appeal(s) allowed

The importer, N.I. Systems, brought various computer‑based instrumentation items—PXI controllers, I/O modules, signal converters and chassis—into India and classified them under Chapter 84 (8471) as automatic data processing machines. The Customs authorities classified them under Chapter 90 as parts …

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY LTD.versusJAYARAM CHIGURUPATI & ORS.

2010 INSC 374Appeal(s) allowed

Daiichi Sankyo acquired a controlling stake in Ranbaxy, which had earlier bought shares of Zenotech at Rs.160 per share. When Daiichi made a public offer to acquire Zenotech shares, it offered Rs.113.62 per share, citing the market price as the highest of the methods prescribed under Regulation …

C.I.T., MUMBAIversusM/S. WALFORT SHARE & STOCK BROKERS P. LTD.

2010 INSC 360Dismissed

The appellant, C.I.T., Mumbai, challenged the High Court’s order allowing a loss of Rs. 2,09,44,793 claimed by the respondent, a mutual fund unit trader, to be set off against taxable income. The respondent had bought mutual fund units before the record date, received a tax‑free dividend under …

M/S. JINDAL STAINLESS LTD. & ANR.versusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.

2010 INSC 215Matter referred to larger bench

The petitioners, including M/s. Jindal Stainless Ltd., challenged the validity of various State entry tax statutes on the ground that they violated Articles 301, 302, 303 and 304 of the Constitution. The Division Bench observed that several High Courts had treated Article 304(a) and 304(b) as …

ASSISTANT COMMERCIAL TAXES OFFICERversusM/S. KANSAI NEROLAC PAINTS LTD.

2010 INSC 210Case Partly allowed

The Department intercepted a vehicle carrying paint buckets whose ST‑18A declaration form was left completely blank, and imposed a penalty under s.78(5) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, 1994 for an alleged intent to evade tax. The penalty was set aside by the appellate authority and the State Tax …

ASSTT. COMMERCIAL TAX OFFICERversusM/S. RIJHUMAL JEEVANDAS

2010 INSC 213Case Partly allowed

The Rajasthan Commercial Tax Department assessed a higher sales tax rate of 12% on "ballies" sold by M/s Rijhumal Jeevandas, treating them as timber, while the normal rate for goods was 8%. The assessee appealed and the Deputy Commissioner (Appeals) and the Rajasthan Tax Board held that ballies are …

M/S. VIJAYA BANKversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX AND ANR.

2010 INSC 214Appeal(s) allowed

Vijaya Bank claimed deductions under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for bad debts in the assessment years 1993‑94 and 1994‑95. The bank had created a provision, debited the profit and loss account and simultaneously reduced the Loans and Advances/ Debtors on the balance sheet, but it …

KAMAL KUMAR AGARWALversusCOMMISSIONER OF COMMERCIAL TAXES, WEST BENGAL & ORS.

2010 INSC 172Dismissed

The appellant, a Customs House Agent, signed the statutory declaration required under West Bengal Sales Tax Rules 211A before taking delivery of imported goods destined for Mumbai, transiting West Bengal. He failed to produce the endorsed counter‑signed copy of the declaration at the exit checkpost, …

STATE OF M.P.versusSUGHAR SINGH & ORS.

2010 INSC 132Disposed off

Eight persons were tried by a Sessions Court in Madhya Pradesh for murder and related offences under the Indian Penal Code. The High Court set aside their convictions, and the State appealed, but only four of the accused were impleaded as respondents in the appeal. The Supreme Court, in a 2008 …

ASSISTANT C.L.T., VADODARAversusELECON ENGINEERING CO. LTD.

2010 INSC 126Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Assistant C.I.T., challenged the assessee Elecon Engineering's claim that roll‑over premium charges paid on foreign‑exchange forward contracts for a plant‑and‑machinery loan were deductible under Sections 36(1)(iii) or 37 of the Income‑Tax Act. The Tribunal and High Court had held the …

STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.versusM/S. VAM ORGANIC CHEMICALS LIMITED

2010 INSC 125Disposed off

The respondents, manufacturers of notified chemicals, were granted Recognition Certificates under Section 4‑B of the Uttar Pradesh Trade Tax Act, 1948, allowing them to purchase high‑speed diesel oil (HSD) at a concessional tax rate. In 2000 the State issued a circular and show‑cause notices …

M/S. DYNAMIC ORTHOPEDICS PVT. LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, COCHIN, KERALA

2010 INSC 102Matter referred to larger bench

The appeal concerned whether depreciation for computing book profit under Section 115J of the Income Tax Act should be allowed as per Rule 5 of the Income Tax Rules, 1962, rather than Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956. The assessee, a private limited company, had claimed depreciation under the …

M/S. THE TOTGARS COOPERATIVE SALE SOCIETY LIMITEDversusINCOME TAX OFFICER, KARNATAKA

2010 INSC 86Dismissed

The Totgars' Cooperative Sale Society Ltd., a cooperative credit society, invested surplus funds in short‑term bank deposits and government securities and earned interest. It claimed that this interest was business income eligible for deduction under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. …

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX AND ANR.versusM/S. HOTEL BLUE MOON

2010 INSC 75Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether a notice under Section 143(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 must be served within the prescribed time before a block assessment can be framed under Chapter XIV‑B for undisclosed income discovered through a search under Section 132. The Court held that the special …

C. I. T. MUMBAIversusM/S. EMPTEE POLY-YARN PVT. LTD.

2010 INSC 50Dismissed

The appellant, C.I.T., Mumbai, challenged the assessment that the twisting and texturising of partially oriented yarn (POY) did not constitute "manufacture" under Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Court examined expert testimony that POY is a semi‑finished yarn which, after undergoing a …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHIversusM/S. KELVINATOR OF INDIA LIMITED

2010 INSC 46Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether the term "change of opinion" in Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 was eliminated after the 1 April 1989 amendment. The Court traced the evolution of Section 147 from its original wording, through the 1987 amendment that introduced "opinion", to the 1989 …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-V, NEW DELHIversusM/S. ORACLE SOFTWARE INDIA LTD.

2010 INSC 38Dismissed

Oracle Software India Ltd. imported master media containing application software and commercially duplicated it onto blank compact discs (CDs) to sell as software kits. The Income Tax Department denied the company a deduction under Section 801A of the Income Tax Act, arguing that the duplication …

NAVIN JINDALversusASSTT. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

2010 INSC 26Appeal(s) allowed

Navin Jindal, a shareholder of Jindal Iron and Steel Co., was entitled to subscribe to partly convertible debentures (PCDs) issued on a rights basis. He renounced this right for Rs 56,250, which caused a fall in the value of his original 1,500 equity shares by Rs 200 per share, resulting in a net …

MIS. SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGIES LTD.versusJOINT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, COIMBATORE

2010 INSC 28Dismissed

The case concerned whether a Non‑Banking Financial Company (NBFC) could treat the "Provision for NPA" debited to its profit‑and‑loss account, as required by RBI Directions 1998, as income under s.2(24) of the Income Tax Act or claim a deduction under s.36(1)(vii). The Supreme Court held that the RBI …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISEversusM/S. INTERNATIONALAUTO LIMITED

2010 INSC 21Appeal(s) allowed

The Commissioner of Central Excise sought interest under Section 11AB of the Central Excise Act, 1944 on differential duty that International Auto Ltd. paid after the date of clearance of goods because the selling price was later revised upward. The assessee contended that the purchase order prices …

NATIONAL HYDROELECTRIC POWER CORPN. LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

2010 INSC 4Appeal(s) allowed

National HydroElectric Power Corp. Ltd. (NHPC), a public sector electricity generator, sold power at tariff rates that included an Advance against Depreciation (AAD). In its profit and loss account NHPC reduced the sales figure by the AAD amount and did not debit the profit and loss account with it. …

INCOME TAX OFFICER, UDAIPURversusM/S. ARIHANT TILES AND MARBLES (P) LTD.

2009 INSC 1269Dismissed

The Income Tax Officer appealed against the deduction claimed by Arihant Tiles & Marbles (P) Ltd. under Section 801A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the assessment year 2001‑2002. The assessee converted raw marble blocks into polished slabs and tiles through a series of processes – sorting, sawing, …

CONTROLLER OF ESTATE DUTY, KERALAversusNALINI V. SARAF

2009 INSC 1260Dismissed

V.G. Saraf, a 50% partner in Saraf Trading Corporation, a tea‑exporting partnership, died in 1984. The Controller of Estate Duty sought to value the firm's goodwill for estate duty using the super‑profit method with a three‑year purchase multiplier, while the respondent argued this was excessive. …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAXversusM/S. ALOM EXTRUSIONS LIMITED

2009 INSC 1261Disposed off

The case concerned whether employers could claim a deduction under Section 43‑B of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for contributions to provident or welfare funds that were paid after the statutory due date but before filing the income‑tax return. The Finance Act, 2003 deleted the second proviso of Section …

M/S. MEPCO INDUSTRIES LTD. MADURAIversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX & ANR.

2009 INSC 1246Appeal(s) allowed

Mepco Industries Ltd. received a power subsidy for two years and initially treated it as a revenue receipt. The assessee argued that the subsidy was a capital receipt and sought revision of assessment orders, which were initially allowed by the Commissioner of Income Tax. After the Supreme Court’s …

M/S. PLEASANTIME PRODUCTS AND ANR.versusCOMMR. OF CENTRAL EXCISE, MUMBAI-I

2009 INSC 1230Dismissed

Pleasantime Products manufactured the branded word game "Scrabble" and claimed it fell under sub‑heading 9503.00 (puzzles) of Chapter 95 of the Central Excise and Tariff Act, 1985, seeking exemption from excise duty. The Central Excise Department classified it as a board game under heading 95.04, …

M/S LIBERTY INDIAversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

2009 INSC 1094Dismissed

Liberty India, a partnership firm operating a small‑scale industrial undertaking, claimed a deduction under s.80‑18 of the Income‑Tax Act for profits arising from Duty Entitlement Passbook (DEP8) and duty‑drawback credits that were posted to its profit and loss account. The Assessing Officer …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISEversusM/S. GUJARAT NARMADA VALLEY FERTILIZERS CO. LTD.

2009 INSC 1046Appeal(s) allowed

The Commissioner of Central Excise appealed against Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Ltd. for disallowing CENVAT credit on Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS) used as fuel in producing steam and electricity that was employed in the manufacture of exempted fertilizers. The key question was whether Rule …

M/S. MARUTI SUZUKI LTDversusCOMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE-III, DELHI

2009 INSC 1047Disposed off

Mis. Maruti Suzuki Ltd., a motor‑vehicle manufacturer, generated electricity in its plant using naphtha and diesel and sold a portion of the surplus to its joint ventures, vendors and the grid for a price. The company claimed CENVAT credit on the duty paid on the fuel used for electricity …

SUNITA RANI & ORS.versusSRI CHAND & ORS

2009 INSC 1031Case Partly allowed

The landlord filed eviction suits against tenants occupying a go‑down, a shop and a kothari. The lower authority dismissed all three suits; on appeal the go‑down was ordered to be evicted while the shop and kothari were retained by the tenants. The landlord then filed writ petitions in the Allahabad …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, FARIDABADversusGHANSHYAM (HUF)

2009 INSC 913Appeal(s) allowed

The assessee (Ghanshyam HUF) received enhanced compensation and interest from the Haryana Urban Development Authority for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, but omitted these amounts from its 1999-2000 return, arguing that they were in dispute in a pending appeal by the State. The …

STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.versusDR. SANJAY KUMAR BANSAL

2009 INSC 918Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court considered an appeal by the State of Punjab against a High Court order that directed the health department to grant Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bansal a five‑year special leave for self‑employment on the ground that he had been discriminated against. The Court examined whether special leave …

UDAIPUR SAHAKARI UPBHOKTA THOK BHANDAR LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX

2009 INSC 924Dismissed

Udaipur Sahakari Upbhokta Thok Bhandar Ltd., a cooperative society dealing in both non‑controlled and government‑authorised controlled commodities, claimed a deduction under Section 80P(2)(e) of the Income‑Tax Act for commissions received for storing foodgrains under the Rajasthan Foodgrains Order. …

MAHESH CHANDRA GUPTAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2009 INSC 867Dismissed

Mahesh Chandra Gupta filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of respondent No.3 as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court, alleging that he lacked the ten‑year practice requirement under Article 217(2)(b) of the Constitution. The Court examined whether "actual practice" or merely …

NECTAR BEVERAGES PVT. LTD.versusDEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

2009 INSC 861Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether the "balancing charge" provision of Section 41(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 could be read into Section 41(1) to tax profits from the sale of fully depreciated bottles and crates when Section 41(2) was deleted for assessment years 1988‑89 to 1998‑99. It held that …

M/S. ROTORK CONTROLS INDIA (P) LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CHENNAI

2009 INSC 792Disposed off

Rotork Controls India (P) Ltd., a manufacturer of valve actuators, provided a standard warranty on its products and made a provision of 1.5% of turnover for anticipated warranty claims. The assessee claimed a deduction for the net provision under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which was …

UNION OF INDIAversusM/S. RAJASTHAN SPINNING AND WEAVING MILLS

2009 INSC 794Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined two appeals where the Central Excise Tribunal had set aside penalties imposed under Section 11AC of the Central Excise Act because the assessee had paid the short‑paid duty before a show‑cause notice was issued. The Court held that Section 11AC imposes a penalty only when …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHIversusM/S WOODWARD GOVERNOR INDIA P. LTD.

2009 INSC 470Dismissed

The Commissioner of Income Tax appealed against the Delhi High Court’s order allowing M/s Woodward Governor India Ltd. to deduct unrealised foreign‑exchange losses on loans taken for revenue purposes. The Court examined whether such losses could be claimed under section 37(1) in the year the …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, NEW DELHIversusM/S ELI LILLY & COMPANY (INDIA) PVT. LTD.

2009 INSC 408Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether the tax‑deduction‑at‑source (TDS) provisions in Chapter XVII‑B of the Income‑Tax Act are independent of the charging provisions that determine the assessability of salary income. It held that the TDS provisions are part of an integrated code and must be read with …

STATE OF HARYANAversusM/S LIBERTY ENTERPRISES

2009 INSC 360Dismissed

M/s Liberty Enterprises, a shoe manufacturer in Haryana, was granted a sales‑tax exemption certificate (Rs 533 lakhs) under Section 138 of the Haryana General Sales Tax Act, 1973 and Rule 28A of the 1975 Rules, effective 15 Mar 1995‑14 Mar 2002. The exemption was used until 31 Dec 1996, after which …

M/S. DCM LIMITEDversusCOMMISSIONER OF SALES TAX, DELHI

2009 INSC 275Dismissed

M/s DCM Ltd sold chemicals to three purchasing dealers in Delhi under contracts that assigned each dealer an exclusive territory outside Delhi and obliged them to move the goods to those territories for sale. The Assessing Authority treated the transactions as local sales, but the Sales Tax Tribunal …

M/S ATUL COMMODITIES PVT. LTD. & ORS.versusCOMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, COCHIN-9

2009 INSC 248Dismissed

The appellant imported second‑hand photocopier machines in January 2005 under the "general imports" category of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2004‑09. The Customs authority treated the machines as "restricted" under para 2.17 of the FTP, relying on DGFT circulars and seized them. The Supreme Court …

COMMR. OF INCOME TAX, DIBRUGARHversusDOOM DOOMA INDIA LTD.

2009 INSC 210Dismissed

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Dibrugarh appealed against judgments upholding the assessment of Doom Dooma India Ltd., a tea manufacturer, for assessment years 1988-89 to 1991-92. The core issues were the meaning of "depreciation actually allowed" under Section 43(6)(b) of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961 …

MCORP GLOBAL PVT. LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, GHAZIABAD

2009 INSC 161Case Partly allowed

The assessee, a lessor of soft‑drink bottles, claimed depreciation under Section 32(1)(ii) of the Income‑Tax Act for two lease transactions dated 15‑Feb‑1991 and 15‑Mar‑1991. The Assessing Officer (AO) allowed depreciation only for 42,000 bottles out of 5,46,000 for the first transaction and …

M/S NANDAN BIOMATRIX LIMITEDversusD 1 OILS LIMITED

2009 INSC 153Appeal(s) allowed

The applicant, a seed‑cloning business, entered into a Supply Agreement with the respondent that contained a clause stating that any dispute would be resolved by "institutional arbitration" under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The respondent argued that the clause was vague because it …

R.B. RAMLINGAMversusR.B. BHUVANESWARI

2009 INSC 31Hearing Adjourned

The petitioner filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) 568 days after the Madras High Court judgment of 18 September 2006, claiming the delay was caused by the pendency of a review application filed within the prescribed period. The central issue was whether the prosecution of a review proceeding could …

M/S. A & G PROJECTS & TECHNOLOGIES LTD.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2008 INSC 1417Appeal(s) allowed

M/s. A & G Projects & Technologies Ltd., a dealer registered under the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, entered into three contracts for supplying capacitor banks to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL). The goods were procured from a manufacturer in Tamil Nadu via an EPC contractor …

CHEMBRA ORCHARD PRODUCE LTD. & ORS.versusREGIONAL DIRECTOR OF COMPANY AFFAIRS & ANR.

2008 INSC 1400Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, Chembra Orchard Produce Ltd. and others, filed applications under Section 391(1) of the Companies Act, 1956 seeking a court order to convene meetings of creditors and members for a proposed amalgamation scheme. The Karnataka High Court held that such applications must be heard with …

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHIversusSHASHNAK STEEL INDUSTRIES (P) LTD.

2008 INSC 1306Dismissed

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sought to hold Shashnak Steel Industries liable for property tax under Section 120(1)(c) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, alleging that a perpetual sub‑lease dated 20‑Feb‑1981 operated as a conveyance transferring leasehold rights to the …

KHODAY DISTILLERIES LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX AND ANR.

2008 INSC 1299Appeal(s) allowed

Khoday Distilleries Ltd issued a rights issue; twenty of its twenty‑seven shareholders did not subscribe and the unissued shares were allotted to seven existing investment‑company shareholders. The company also issued fully paid bonus shares in a 1:23 ratio. The Assessing Officer treated both the …

CITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONversusDOSU AARDESHIR BHIWANDIWALA & ORS.

2008 INSC 1301Appeal(s) allowed

The petitioners, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), were directed by the Bombay High Court to acquire a 19‑acre tract of land claimed by the respondent, Dosu Aardeshir Bhiwandiwala, who alleged he was a trustee of the Bhiwandiwala Trust and that the land was private property. The …

ASSISTANT COMMERCIAL TAXES OFFICERversusM/S. BAJAJ ELECTRICALS LTD.

2008 INSC 1252Appeal(s) allowed

The Department (Assistant Commercial Taxes Officer) appealed against a High Court order that set aside a penalty imposed on M/s. Bajaj Electricals Ltd for transporting goods with a blank but signed Declaration Form ST 18A/18C. The vehicle was intercepted on 30‑03‑1999; the form lacked material …

PUNDLIK JALAM PATIL (D) BY LRS.versusEXE. ENG. JALGAON MEDIUM PROJECT & ANR.

2008 INSC 1231Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, owners of land acquired for a public project, obtained a compensation award which was later enhanced by a Reference Court. The State Government communicated its decision to acquiesce in the enhanced award to the beneficiary (respondent No.1), who nevertheless failed to file an appeal …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX-IV, DELHIversusM/S HCL COM NET SYSTEMS & SERVICES LTD.

2008 INSC 1076Dismissed

The assessee, M/s HCL Com Net Systems & Services Ltd, for Assessment Year 1997-98, debited Rs 92,15,187 as bad debts in its profit and loss account. The Assessing Officer (AO) added this amount back to the book profit under clause (c) of the Explanation to section 115JA(2) of the Income‑Tax Act, …

STATE OF M.P. & ORS.versusLALIT JAGGI

2008 INSC 1053Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Madhya Pradesh issued a Liquor Policy for 2005‑06 containing clauses that required retailers to pay the annual licence fee in 24 fortnightly instalments and allowed revocation of the licence for default. A circular clarified that liquor would only be supplied against such deposits. The …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, MADRASversusPONNI SUGARS & CHEMICALS LTD.

2008 INSC 1048Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether incentive subsidies received by Ponni Sugars & Chemicals Ltd. under various government schemes were capital or revenue receipts, whether the company could claim exemption under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) for interest earned from cooperative society members, and whether …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DEHRADHUN & ANR.versusENRON OIL & GAS INDIA LTD.

2008 INSC 1007Dismissed

Enron Oil & Gas India Ltd (EOGIL), a foreign company and operator under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Government of India, claimed foreign exchange losses arising from currency translation of cash calls and expenses in its profit and loss account for AY 1999‑2000. The Assessing …

STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH ORS.versusLARSEN AND TOURBO LTD. AND ORS.

2008 INSC 982Dismissed

Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) executed works contracts in Andhra Pradesh and subcontracted portions to registered VAT dealers. The State of Andhra Pradesh assessed tax on L&T by adding the turnover of the subcontractors, treating the arrangement as two deemed sales – one from the subcontractor to L&T …

J. MITRA & CO. PVT. LTD.versusASST. CONTROLLER OF PATENTS & DESIG. & ORS.

2008 INSC 958Disposed off

J. Mitra & Co. Pvt. Ltd. applied for a patent which was opposed by Span Diagnostics Ltd. (respondent No.3). The opposition was initially a pre‑grant opposition under Section 25(1) of the Patents Act, 1970. The Controller rejected the pre‑grant opposition on 23‑Aug‑2006 and the respondent filed …

SMT. LEELABAI GAJANAN PANSARE & ORS.versusTHE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. & ORS.

2008 INSC 949Disposed off

The landlords sought eviction of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. (OIC) from premises in Thane, arguing that OIC, a Government company under Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956, was exempt from protection under Section 3(1)(b) of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999. The High Court held that …

T.N. GODAVARAMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2008 INSC 917IA disposed

The Supreme Court considered an interlocutory application filed by Sterlite Industries (Siil) seeking clarification on the rehabilitation package and the proposed transfer of the Niyamgiri bauxite mining lease to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as suggested by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). …

AJAY G. PODARversusOFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR OF J.S. & W.M. AND ORS.

2008 INSC 854Dismissed

The High Court ordered the winding up of a company on 2 December 1983 and appointed an Official Liquidator. The Liquidator filed misfeasance proceedings on 1 December 1989 under s.543(1) of the Companies Act, 1956, although the five‑year limitation prescribed in s.543(2) had expired on 1 December …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, BANGALOREversusM/S. KARNATAKA AGRO CHEMICALS

2008 INSC 687Case Partly allowed

M/s Karnataka Agro Chemicals manufactured "multi micronutrient" compounds, registered as fertilizers, and the Central Excise Commissioner alleged that the company misdeclared the products as containing nitrogen to attract classification under "other fertilizers" (CHS 3105.00) and evade duty. The …

AMERICAN HOTEL & LODGING ASSN. EDU. INS.versusCENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES & ORS.

2008 INSC 623Appeal(s) allowed

The American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute (AH&L) – a US non‑profit educational institution – had enjoyed exemption under Section 10(22) of the Income‑Tax Act until 31‑Mar‑1998. After the Finance Act, 1998 omitted Section 10(22), AH&L applied on 7‑Apr‑1999 for initial approval …

T.N. GODAVARAMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2008 INSC 620Disposed off

The Supreme Court, hearing T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (Writ Petition No. 202 of 1955), corrected typographical errors in its earlier order dated 28 March 2008 concerning exemptions from payment of Net Present Value (NPV) under s.3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The …

RELIANCE INFOCOMM LTDversusBHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LTD. & ORS.

2008 INSC 557Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined Reliance Infocomm Ltd.'s challenge to BSNL's demand for Access Deficit Charges (ADC) on its "Unlimited Cordless" service, arguing that the service should be classified as Fixed Wireless Local Loop (WLL(F)) and thus exempt from ADC. The Court considered the definitions in …

M/S. PUNJAB AROMATICSversusSTATE OF KERALA

2008 INSC 558Case Allowed

The appellant, Punjab Aromatics, purchased "red oil" from unregistered dealers and purified it by removing water and impurities to obtain "sandalwood oil". The Department argued that this purification constituted consumption of red oil in the manufacture of sandalwood oil, attracting purchase tax …

TATA TELESERVICES LTD.versusBHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LTD. AND ORS.

2008 INSC 562Dismissed

BSNL demanded Access Deficit Charges (ADC) from Tata Teleservices for its 'Walky' service for the period 14‑Nov‑2004 to 26‑Aug‑2005, alleging that the service should be classified as Wireless Local Loop Mobile (WLL(M)) and thus liable to ADC. Tata contended that 'Walky' was a fixed wireless (WLL(F)) …

M/S. PRACHI INDUSTRIESversusCOMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, CHANDIGARH

2008 INSC 417Dismissed

M/S. Prachi Industries, a small‑scale unit, purchased duty‑paid mild steel (MS) tubes classified under heading 73.06 and processed them by cutting to length and then subjecting them to swaging on a rotary machine fitted with various dies. The Revenue argued that the swaged product remained the same …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD .versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2008 INSC 416IA disposed

The Supreme Court examined the methodology for compensating diversion of forest land for non‑forest developmental projects under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It accepted the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that the user agency must pay a Net Present Value (NPV) …

BHIKHUBHAI VITHLABHAI PATEL & ORS.versusSTATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.

2008 INSC 367Case Allowed

The appellants' land, originally earmarked for residential use in a draft development plan prepared by the Surat Urban Development Authority, was later reserved for South Gujarat University. After the university failed to acquire the land, the State Government re‑reserved the land for the same …

DIVINE RETREAT CENTREversusSTATE OF KERALA & ORS.

2008 INSC 341Case Allowed

A female remand prisoner alleged sexual exploitation by the head of Divine Retreat Centre and complained of police bias. The High Court, acting suo motu on a petition addressed to a single judge and an anonymous letter, ordered the withdrawal of the police investigation of the rape case and …

STATE OF PUNJAB & OTHERS ETC.ETCversusM/S. PERFECT SYNTHETICS ETC ETC.

2008 INSC 326Dismissed

The State of Punjab appealed against the judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which had allowed M/s Perfect Synthetics to deduct the purchase value of raw material from its taxable turnover under Rule 29(xii) of the Punjab General Sales Tax Rules, 1949. The assessee bought raw material from …

STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.versusM/S SANKESHWAR HOSIERY INDUSTRY

2008 INSC 327Dismissed

The appeal concerned the interpretation of Rule 29 (xii) of the Punjab General Sales Tax Rules, 1949, which deals with deduction from taxable turnover. The State of Punjab contended that such a deduction was impermissible, while Mis. Sankeshwar Hosiery Industry argued for its permissibility. The …

MORIROKU UT INDIA {P) LTD.versusSTATE OF U.P. AND ORS.

2008 INSC 282Appeal(s) allowed

Moriroku UT India (P) Ltd., a manufacturer of plastic automobile components, received tools, dies and moulds free of cost from its customer Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. to produce components. The Uttar Pradesh Tax Department levied trade tax under Section 3 of the U.P. Trade Tax Act, 1948 on the …

M/S. GOA CARBON LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF TRADE TAX

2008 INSC 270Dismissed

M/s. Goa Carbon Ltd., a leasing company, supplied plant and machinery to Kesar Enterprises Ltd. on lease and received lease rent. The Uttar Pradesh tax authorities issued notices under s.3F of the Uttar Pradesh Trade Tax Act, 1948, assessing tax on the lease rent, treating the transaction as a …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CHENNAIversusM/S BILAHARI INVESTMENT (P) LTD.

2008 INSC 261Dismissed

The Commissioner of Income Tax appealed against the Madras High Court’s decision that the Completed Contract Method of accounting for chit discount, used by M/s Bilahari Investment (P) Ltd., was valid. The assessee companies, engaged in chit fund business, had historically applied the Completed …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2008 INSC 227Disposed off

The Supreme Court entertained an interlocutory application concerning the constitution of a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) under Section 3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. After considering submissions of the Solicitor General and an Amicus Curiae, the Court specified the composition …

M/S. WEP PERIPHERALS LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, CHENNAI

2008 INSC 230Appeal(s) allowed

M/s WEP Peripherals Ltd imported shuttles used in printers and paid a royalty/licence fee to the foreign supplier. The Customs adjudicating authority added the royalty fee to the customs value of the shuttles by using the peak price, ignoring that the importer had received a bulk order and had …

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMSversusM/S FERODO INDIA PVT. LTD.

2008 INSC 231Dismissed

The appellant, Commissioner of Customs, appealed against the Tribunal’s order that the royalty and licence fees payable under a technical assistance and trademark agreement (TAA) between M/s Ferodo India Pvt. Ltd. (the respondent) and its foreign licensor should be added to the customs value of …

M/S. MUNJAL SALES CORPORATIONversusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, LUDHIANA AND ANR.

2008 INSC 214Appeal(s) allowed

Munjal Sales Corporation appealed against disallowances of interest deductions claimed under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Assessing Officer held that interest-free advances given to sister concerns were funded by interest‑bearing loans and thus barred by Section 40(b)(iv). The …

STATE OF KERALA & ORS.versusM/S KURIAN ABRAHAM PVT. LTD. & ANR.

2008 INSC 158Dismissed

M/s Kurian Abraham Pvt. Ltd. purchased raw field latex in Kerala, processed it into centrifuged latex in Tamil Nadu and sold the product. For assessment years 1997‑98 and 1998‑99 the assessee relied on Circular No. 16/98 issued by the Kerala Board of Revenue under s.3(1A)(c) of the Kerala General …

M/S. PADINJAREKARA AGENCIES LIMITEDversusSTATE OF KERALA

2008 INSC 159Appeal(s) allowed

M/s Padinjarekara Agencies Ltd., a dealer under the Kerala General Sales Tax Act and the Central Sales Tax Act, manufactures centrifuged latex from field latex (raw rubber) and claimed exemption under Government Notification SRO No. 1003/91 (later replaced by SRO No. 1727/93), which exempts "goods" …

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, AHMEDABADversusARVIND POLYCOT LTD.

2008 INSC 160Dismissed

The Department appealed against the assessment of Arvind Polycot Ltd., contending that interest paid on borrowings for capital assets that were not put to use during the financial year could not be claimed as a deduction under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961. The Court examined the …

C.L.T., BARODAversusISHWAR BHUVAN HOTELS LTD., BARODA

2008 INSC 161Dismissed

The Department of Income Tax appealed against a Gujarat High Court order favoring Ishwar Bhuvan Hotels Ltd. concerning the deductibility of interest on borrowings used to acquire capital assets that were not put to use in the relevant financial year. The central issue was whether such interest could …

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, INCOME TAX, BARODAversusGUJARAT ALKALIES & CHEMICALS LTD.

2008 INSC 162Dismissed

Gujarat Alkalis & Chemicals Ltd borrowed Rs 30 crore from IDBI, which was refinanced by the foreign company COFACE. COFACE levied interest, commitment charges and insurance charges. The assessee claimed the commitment charges as a deduction under section 36(1)(iii) of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961, while …

JT. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, VALSAD, GUJARATversusM/S.UNITED PHOSPHOROUS LTD.

2008 INSC 163Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court heard a civil appeal filed by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Gujarat against Mis United Phosphorous Ltd. concerning two tax issues: (1) whether interest paid on borrowings for capital assets that were not put to use in the relevant financial year could be allowed as a deduction …

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, AHMEDABADversusM/S. CORE HEALTH CARE LTD.

2008 INSC 164Case Partly allowed

Core Health Care Ltd., a manufacturer of intravenous solutions, borrowed money in 1991‑92 to install new machinery and claimed a deduction for the interest paid under Section 36(1)(iii) of the Income‑Tax Act. The assessing officer disallowed the deduction, relying on the Challapalli Sugars case, on …

UNION OF INDIAversusANIL CHANANA & ANOTHER

2008 INSC 99Appeal(s) allowed

The respondents, Anil Chanana and another, were intercepted at Delhi airport with two pairs of diamond earrings and $1,900, leading to their arrest for false declaration and evasion of customs duty under the Customs Act, 1962. They applied for compounding of the offences under Sections 132 and …

KARNATAKA BANK LTD.versusSTATE OF A.P. & ORS.

2008 INSC 77Dismissed

The appellants, including Karnataka Bank Ltd., Shaw Wallace & Co., and a partnership firm, challenged notices requiring each of their branches in Andhra Pradesh to pay profession tax of Rs.2500 per annum, arguing that the explanation to the definition of "person" in the Andhra Pradesh Tax on …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CENTRAL IIversusSURESH N. GUPTA

2008 INSC 14Case Allowed

A search under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act was conducted on 17 January 2001 at the premises of Suresh N. Gupta, uncovering undisclosed income of Rs.1,62,427. The Assessing Officer levied tax at the 60% rate prescribed by Section 113 and imposed a 17% surcharge relying on the Finance Act, 2001. …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, BANGALOREversusINFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

2008 INSC 6Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether Infosys Technologies Ltd. was required to deduct tax under Section 192 of the Income Tax Act on the benefit employees derived from an Employees Stock Option Scheme (ESOP) for the assessment years 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The Court held that, at that time, …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAXversusWILLAMSON FINANCIAL SERVICES AND ORS.

2007 INSC 1275Disposed off

The case concerned Williamson Financial Services, which earned composite income from growing, manufacturing and exporting tea. The assessee claimed a deduction under s.80HHC of the Income‑Tax Act on the entire tea income before applying the 60:40 apportionment mandated by Rule 8(1) of the Income‑Tax …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, CHANDIGARHversusM/S SUPREME FABRICS LTD.

2007 INSC 1280Dismissed

Mis Supreme Fabrics Ltd claimed that loading charges incurred while clearing goods from its factory gate should be treated as cum‑duty price, allowing an abatement of excise duty payable on those charges. The Assessing Officer held the charges were includible in assessable value and denied the …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAXversusGUJARAT MARITIME BOARD

2007 INSC 1232Dismissed

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), a statutory authority created under the Gujarat Maritime Board Act, 1981 to develop minor ports, applied to be registered as a charitable institution under Section 12A of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961 to claim exemption under Section 11. The Commissioner of Income Tax …

HONDA SIEL POWER PRODUCTS LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, DELHI

2007 INSC 1187Appeal(s) allowed

Honda Siel Power Products Ltd, a manufacturer of generators, claimed enhanced depreciation under section 43A of the Income Tax Act for foreign‑exchange fluctuations in the cost of machinery. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal rejected the claim, failing to consider a coordinate‑bench judgment (Samtel …

T.N. GODAVARAMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2007 INSC 1177Disposed off

Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (formerly Vedanta Alumina Ltd) sought judicial clearance to divert 58.943 hectares of reserve forest land in the ecologically sensitive Niyamgiri Hills of Orissa for a one‑million‑tonne alumina refinery. The project required mining of bauxite from the hills, which are a …

J.K. INDUSTRIES LTD. & ANRversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2007 INSC 1161Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 – which made Accounting Standard 22 (deferred tax) mandatory – exceeded the Central Government’s rule‑making power under s. 642 of the Companies Act, 1956 and conflicted with the Act’s provisions on true‑and‑fair …

COMMISSIONER, INCOME TAX, THIRUVANANTHAPURAMversusK. RAVINDRANATHAN NAIR

2007 INSC 1146Disposed off

The assessee, a cashew processor and exporter, claimed export incentive under s.80HHC(3) for AY 1993-94 but omitted processing charges from the total turnover in the formula. The Supreme Court held that processing charges form part of gross total income and must be included in total turnover for …

RATNABALI CAPITAL MARKETS LTD.versusSECURITIES & EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA AND ORS.

2007 INSC 1098Dismissed

Ratnabali Capital Markets Ltd. (RCML) sought to claim fee‑continuity under a SEBI circular dated 30 September 2002, arguing that its merger with Ratnabali Securities Ltd. (RSL) was compelled by law because SEBI’s Gupta Committee required a net‑worth of Rs 3 crore to trade in derivatives. The merger …

BANK OF RAJASTHANversusKESHAV BANGUR AND ANR.

2007 INSC 999Disposed off

The Bank of Rajasthan alleged that the Bangur group siphoned its funds, prompting a CBI inquiry and the registration of sixteen FIRs. Concurrently, the Alipore Police registered FIR No.138/2001 against the Bangurs, which was later closed because the investigation was transferred to the CBI. The …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, DELHIversusM/S. FRICK INDIA LTD. AND ANR.

2007 INSC 960Case Partly allowed

The Commissioner of Central Excise issued a show‑cause notice alleging that Mis Frick India Ltd. had undervalued compressors and overvalued the accessories supplied separately, thereby evading excise duty. The assessee argued that the fly‑wheel, safety valve and filter were separate goods …

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, NEW DELHIversusM/S PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL LTD. & ANR.

2007 INSC 955Appeal(s) allowed

The Commissioner of Customs alleged that Mis. Phoenix International Ltd (PIL) and its subsidiary Mis. Phoenix Industries Ltd (PIND) split the import of synthetic shoe components—uppers by PIL and soles, insoles and sock liners by PIND—to evade customs duty and obtain a concessional rate under …

SALES TAX OFFICERS AND ORS.versusM/S. DUTTA TRADERS

2007 INSC 942Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent, a wholesale biscuit dealer, was stopped while unloading goods when a vigilance officer detected irregularities and the Sales Tax Officer (Vigilance) levied tax of Rs.32,592 and a penalty of Rs.54,320 under Section 16‑D of the Orissa Sales Tax Act. The dealer challenged the officer's …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, NAGPURversusM/S. BALLARPUR INDUSTRIES LTD.

2007 INSC 887Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Commissioner of Central Excise, challenged the assessment of duty on pulp transferred by the respondent, Mis. Ballarpur Industries Ltd., to its sister unit for captive use in making paper, an exempted final product. The assessee had claimed MODVAT credit on inputs and paid duty on the …

ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF TAX PRACTITIONERS & ORS.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2007 INSC 849Dismissed

The All India Federation of Tax Practitioners challenged the levy of service tax on chartered accountants, cost accountants and architects under the Finance Acts of 1994 and 1998, arguing that such tax fell within State List Entry 60 (taxes on professions) and was barred by Article 276. The Supreme …

M/S HINDUSTAN COCA COLA BEVERAGE PVT. LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX

2007 INSC 835Appeal(s) allowed

Hindustan Coca Cola Beverage Pvt. Ltd. paid warehouse charges to Pradeep Oil Corporation (POC) on which tax was deducted at source under Section 194C at 2%. The Assessing Officer held the company an 'assessee in default' for short deduction of tax, levying interest under Section 201(1A). The …

M/S ELGI EQUIPMENTS LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, COIMBATORE

2007 INSC 833Appeal(s) allowed

Mis Elgi Equipments Ltd., a manufacturer of service‑station equipment, claimed a uniform 20% trade discount on its sales to distributors, while giving an 8% discount to sub‑dealers and a 12% commission to the distributors. The Central Excise Department issued a show‑cause notice alleging a …

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, MUMBAI-IversusM/S BOMBAY DYEING & MFG. CO. LTD.

2007 INSC 820Dismissed

Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. operated a composite mill where yarn was spun and grey fabrics were woven but not further processed. Under Notification No. 14/2002‑CE, such grey fabrics are exempt from excise duty (nil rate) provided (i) duty on the yarn input is paid before claiming the exemption …

STATE OF U.P. AND ORS.versusM/S. P.N.C. CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. & ORS.

2007 INSC 821Dismissed

The appellant State of Uttar Pradesh challenged a show‑cause notice that sought to revoke a recognition certificate granted to M/s P.N.C. Construction Ltd. under Section 4‑8 of the U.P. Trade Tax Act, 1948. The assessee, engaged in a works contract to widen roads for the National Highway Authority, …

M/.S. GULJAG INDUSTRIESversusCOMMERCIAL TAXES OFFICER

2007 INSC 810Disposed off

The case concerned several civil appeals arising from the imposition of penalty under Section 78(5) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, 1994 (in pari materia with Section 22A(7) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Act, 1954) for carrying goods in movement with blank Form ST‑18A/18C that had been signed but left …

MUNICIPAL COMMITIEE, PATIALAversusMODEL TOWN RESIDENTS ASSON. & ORS.

2007 INSC 799Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 (as amended by the 1994 Punjab Amending Act) could levy house tax at different rates for self‑occupied and tenanted premises and whether the definition of "market value" under Section 3(8aa) was unconstitutional for lacking …

M/S AUROHILL GLOBAL COMMODITIES LTD.versusM/S M.S.T.C.LTD.

2007 INSC 796Disposed off

Mis Aurohill Global Commodities Ltd., a Cyprus‑based exporter, entered into a draft purchase order with Mis M.S.T.C. Ltd. for the sale of steel billets. The purchase order contained an arbitration clause mandating disputes be resolved in London under the rules of Great Britain and a jurisdiction …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, SALEMversusK. CHINNTHAMBAN

2007 INSC 779Appeal(s) allowed

The case involved a firm, M/s V.V. Enterprises, purportedly engaged in prize ticket business and collecting public deposits. Police seized about Rs. 1.18 crore from its premises, and the Assessing Officer found the firm’s books incomplete and could not explain the source of the deposits, treating …

COLLECTOR OF CENTRAL EXCISE ETC. ETC.versusM/S. SOLARIS CHEMTECH LIMITED & ORS.

2007 INSC 780Dismissed

The case concerned whether Mis. Solaris Chemtech Ltd. could claim MODVAT credit under Rule 57A for Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS) and furnace oil used to generate electricity that was captively consumed in the manufacture of cement and caustic soda. The Revenue argued that electricity generation is …

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, CALCUTTAversusSOUTH INDIA TELEVISION (P) LTD.

2007 INSC 737Dismissed

The importer South India Television Ltd. imported ceramic capacitors and diodes from Hong Kong and declared low invoice prices. The Customs Department issued a show‑cause notice alleging under‑invoicing and invoked Rule 8 of the Customs Valuation Rules to enhance the assessable value based on export …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, UDAIPURversusM/S. HINDUSTAN ZINC LTD.

2007 INSC 634Appeal(s) allowed

The Commissioner of Income Tax, Udaipur assessed Hindustan Zinc Ltd. for the AY 1996-97, adding Rs 27.08 crore to income because the company wrote down its closing stock of zinc concentrate to the net realizable value based on the London Metal Exchange (LME) price, which was lower than the weighted …

STATE OF ORISSA AND ANR.versusM/S ASIATIC GASES LTD.

2007 INSC 608Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Orissa appealed against the judgment that over‑retention charges collected by M/s Asiatic Gases Ltd. for gas cylinders were not part of the sale price under the Orissa Sales Tax Act, 1947. The assessee supplied medical oxygen and industrial gases in cylinders and allowed customers to …

M/S N. RANGA RAO AND SONSversusTHE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.

2007 INSC 610Dismissed

The appellant, a manufacturer of agarabathis, challenged an assessment order that taxed packing material as raw material. The First Appellate Authority excluded the packing material on 28‑03‑1992, but the Additional Commissioner later called for the case records on 16‑03‑1996, found the order …

COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAXversusP. MOHANAKALA

2007 INSC 580Appeal(s) allowed

The assessees received large cash credits from a foreign donor and claimed them to be gifts. The Assessing Officer rejected this explanation, treating the amounts as income under Section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal …

SHANKAR JAISWARAversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL

2007 INSC 566Dismissed

Shankar Jaiswara was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for stabbing his brother's younger sibling, Tarak Jaiswara, with a knife. The prosecution presented consistent eyewitness testimony, forensic medical reports describing multiple fatal injuries, and the recovery of the weapon from a …

RAJU @ RAJ KUMARversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2007 INSC 515Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Raju @ Raj Kumar was convicted under Section 148 of the Indian Penal Code for rioting with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing his father during a violent incident. The trial court also convicted him under Section 302 for murder, but the State did not appeal that conviction, and …

ABDUL AZIZversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2007 INSC 516Case Partly allowed

Abdul Aziz was tried and convicted under Section 460 of the Indian Penal Code for house‑trespass resulting in death and sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment. The State did not file any appeal for enhancement or for conviction under Section 302. In the appellant's own appeal, the Rajasthan …

STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS.versusM/S. ATUL FASTENERS LIMITED

2007 INSC 499Case Partly allowed

The State of Punjab appealed a High Court order that granted Mis. Atul Fasteners Ltd. a refund of Rs.42,62,807 paid as sales tax between April 1997 and September 2001, together with 18% per annum interest from December 21, 2001. The refund arose under the Punjab General Sales Tax (Deferment and …

M/S. SPAN DIAGNOSTICS LTD.versusCOMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE, SURAT

2007 INSC 500Disposed off

The appellant‑assessee, Mis. Span Diagnostics Ltd., manufactures monoclonal antibodies (MABs), pregnancy test kits, and other diagnostic reagents. The Department classified these products under Chapter 30.05 or Chapter 38.22 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, while the assessee claimed …