Appellants entitled to partial tax exemption under Section 15C where leased building wasn't essential to formation of undertaking

SC held that the appellants were entitled to claim partial tax exemption under section 15C because merely taking on lease a building previously used for another business did not mean the new undertaking was "formed by" transfer of that building. The Court applied a purposive test: disqualification arises only where the transfer was essential to the formation of the undertaking. On the facts, the leased building's role was not dominant, so the High Court erred in favouring the Revenue. Appeals were allowed.

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Issues Involved:
1. Whether the assessee was entitled to claim partial exemption from payment of tax under section 15C of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922.
2. Whether the industrial undertaking was formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business.
3. Whether the industrial undertaking was formed by transfer of building, machinery, or plant previously used in another business.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Entitlement to Partial Exemption under Section 15C:
The primary question was whether the assessee could claim partial exemption under section 15C of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922, on profits derived from an industrial undertaking established in a leased building previously used for another business. The Tribunal found that the assessee-company was a new undertaking and not a reconstruction of the promoter company. The High Court, however, ruled against the assessee based on the decision in Capsulation Services P. Ltd. v. CIT [1973] 91 ITR 566 (Bom).

2. Formation by Splitting Up or Reconstruction of Existing Business:
The Income-tax Officer initially rejected the claim, stating that the undertaking was formed by splitting up an existing business. However, this was not supported by facts, as the Tribunal found that the business of the new industrial undertaking did not exist prior to its incorporation and was neither carried on by the promoter company nor any other company. Thus, the claim of reconstruction was not upheld.

3. Formation by Transfer of Building, Machinery, or Plant:
The main contention revolved around whether the industrial undertaking was formed by the transfer of building or machinery previously used in another business. The Tribunal and appellate authority held that taking premises on lease did not amount to a transfer of the building. The Tribunal further opined that "lease" could not be equated with "transfer" and that the industrial undertaking should not be denied the benefit of section 15C merely because it took business premises on lease or used minor implements previously used for business. The High Court, however, disagreed, stating that the use of a previously used building disqualified the assessee from claiming the benefit.

Interpretation of Section 15C:
Section 15C(1) provided tax exemption on profits derived from any industrial undertaking to which the section applied. Sub-section (2) restricted this benefit to undertakings not formed by splitting up, reconstruction, or transfer of building, machinery, or plant previously used in any other business. The court emphasized that a provision in a taxing statute granting incentives should be construed liberally to promote growth and development. The restrictive clause in sub-section (2) was intended to prevent abuse of the benefit by merely changing labels.

Judicial Precedents and Legislative Amendments:
The court referred to several High Court decisions and legislative amendments to interpret the provision. It noted that High Courts consistently held that if the value of transferred machinery was nominal, it should not result in denial of benefit. The legislative amendments in 1967 and 1976 to section 80J of the 1961 Act recognized this by excluding previously used buildings taken on lease from the restriction.

Conclusion:
The court concluded that a literal construction of clause (i) of sub-section (2) would defeat the purpose of section 15C. It emphasized that the formation of the undertaking should not be by such transfer and that the transfer must be substantial and prominent in the formation of the undertaking. The court found that taking the building on lease did not play a dominant role in the formation of the company. Therefore, the High Court's decision was set aside, and the assessee was held entitled to partial exemption under section 15C of the Act.

Final Judgment:
The appeals were allowed, the High Court's order was set aside, and the question of law raised by the Department was answered against it. The assessee was entitled to partial exemption under section 15C, and the reference before the High Court was answered in favor of the assessee and against the Revenue. The assessee was also entitled to its costs.

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