The ITAT allowed the assessee's appeal, holding that the denial...

The ITAT allowed the assessee's appeal, holding that the denial of deduction under section 54 was unjustified. Despite the absence of possession and registration of the property due to a Supreme Court-imposed legal impediment, the assessee had entered into a valid agreement and made substantial payment prior to filing the return. The Tribunal applied a purposive interpretation of section 54 read with section 2(47), recognizing "purchase" in a broader sense to uphold the exemption from long-term capital gains tax. It distinguished prior precedents related to the Transfer of Property Act, emphasizing that the intention of the legislature is to avoid taxing capital gains where the consideration is invested in property acquisition, even if formal transfer is delayed by circumstances beyond the assessee's control. Consequently, the assessee was entitled to claim deduction under section 54.

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