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SONU REALTORS PVT. LTD., MUMBAI v. DCIT 14(3)(2), MUMBAI

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
Sep 19, 2018
Smart Summary (Beta)

Concise Analytical Summary of the Opinion

Factual and Procedural Background

The appeals arise from assessment years (A.Y.) 2011-12 and 2012-13 where the assessee, Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd., challenged orders of the CIT(A)-22, Mumbai dated 22.01.2016 and 27.09.2016 respectively. The assessee is a company engaged in construction business which filed returns for A.Y. 2011-12 (declaring nil income) and A.Y. 2012-13 (declaring income of Rs. 1,25,34,810). Both matters were taken up for scrutiny assessment under section 143(2).

The central factual locus concerns two office units (Unit No. 401 & 425 of Balaji Bhavan) which had been let to M/s Sterling Construction System Pvt. Ltd. under a leave-and-license agreement dated 22.04.2007 for 36 months. Rental income from that earlier period had been offered in preceding years. After expiry of the 36-month license, the licensee vacated the premises and communicated that it would not renew the license. The Assessing Officer (A.O.) nevertheless computed Annual Letting Value (ALV) under section 23(1)(a) of the Income-tax Act for the years under appeal—at Rs. 81,99,360 for A.Y. 2011-12 and at Rs. 90,19,296 for A.Y. 2012-13—treating the properties as liable to deemed rent. The CIT(A) sustained the A.O.'s approach. The assessee appealed to the Tribunal (ITAT, Mumbai).

Key procedural events: appeals to ITAT consolidated and heard together; order pronounced in open court on 19.09.2018.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the Annual Letting Value of the office premises (Units 401 & 425, Balaji Bhavan) for A.Y. 2011-12 and A.Y. 2012-13 should be taken as nil under section 23(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act (assessee's contention) or computed under section 23(1)(a) as the Assessing Officer did (revenue's contention)?
  2. For A.Y. 2012-13, whether the Assessing Officer erred in adopting deemed rent from an earlier year (A.Y. 2009-10) and applying a 10% appreciation for computation of ALV, when the premises were vacant during the previous year?
  3. For A.Y. 2012-13, alternatively whether ALV for the vacant period under section 23(1)(a) should be computed by adopting reasonable rent per the municipal rateable value.

Arguments of the Parties

Assessee's (Authorised Representative) Arguments

  • The units were let earlier (license for 36 months from 10.04.2007) and were vacant for the entire relevant year after the licensee vacated; therefore section 23(1)(c) applies and ALV should be taken as nil.
  • The lower authorities misconstrued section 23(1)(c) by requiring actual letting during the year. The phrase "property is let" in section 23(1)(c) is different from "house is actually let" (used in sub‑section (3)), and the statute contemplates intention to let and efforts to let: actual letting during the relevant year is not a prerequisite where the property was let earlier and remained vacant for the year (so long as it is not self-occupied).
  • Relied on coordinate-bench decisions (Vikas Keshav Garud v. ITO (2016) 160 ITD 7 (Pune); Premsudha Exports (P) Ltd. v. ACIT (2008) 110 ITD 158 (Mum); Informed Technologies India Ltd. v. DCIT (2017) 162 ITD 153 (Mum); ACIT, Circle-47(1), New Delhi v. Dr. Prabha Sanghi (2012) 139 ITD 504 (Del)), and on sub-section (3) and other sub-sections of section 23 to support the purposive interpretation.
  • Conceded at hearing that one ground (Ground No. 3 in A.Y. 2011-12) was not pressed.

Revenue's (Departmental Representative) Arguments

  • The premises had remained vacant during the whole of the year under consideration; therefore the provisions of section 23(1)(c) would not apply and ALV should be determined under section 23(1)(a)—i.e., the sum for which the property might reasonably be expected to be let from year to year should be taken.
  • Relied on the orders of the lower authorities (Assessing Officer and CIT(A)).

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Vikas Keshav Garud vs. ITO, Ward 1(2), Nashik (2016) 160 ITD 7 (Pune) Coordinate-bench proposition that section 23(1)(c) covers properties that were held to be let and remained vacant for the whole or part of the year; emphasis on intention and efforts to let. The Tribunal found this authority squarely covered the facts and agreed that ALV can be nil where earlier letting existed and the property remained vacant (not self-occupied).
ACIT, Circle-47(1), New Delhi vs. Dr. Prabha Sanghi (2012) 139 ITD 504 (Del) Supportive coordinate-bench authority interpreting clause (c) of section 23(1) to include properties previously let but vacant during the relevant year, excluding self-occupation. Relied upon to support the view that a prior letting followed by vacancy (not self-occupation) brings the property within section 23(1)(c).
Premsudha Exports (P) Ltd. vs. ACIT, Central Circle 10, Mumbai (2008) 110 ITD 158 (Mum) Held that where property is held by the owner for letting out and efforts were made to let it out, property falls under clause (c); "property is let" is used to exclude self-occupied properties. The Tribunal adopted and followed this reasoning, treating the phrase "property is let" purposively and confirming that prior letting and current vacancy (without self-occupation) justify ALV nil under clause (c).
Informed Technologies India Ltd. vs. DCIT-3(2), Mumbai (2017) 162 ITD 153 (Mum) Detailed analysis of the scope of section 23(1)(c): distinction between "property is let" and "house is actually let", and conclusion that actual letting during the year is not a prerequisite where property was let earlier and is now vacant but retained for letting. The Tribunal relied heavily on the elaborate reasoning in this case and reproduced its analysis to conclude that the assessee's property qualified for ALV nil under section 23(1)(c).
Vivek Jain vs. ACIT (2011) 337 ITR 74 (AP) High Court observation that section 23(1)(c) cannot be extended to properties that were not let at all, but it includes properties let for two or more years that became vacant for the whole of the previous year. The Tribunal held the CIT(A) had misconstrued this judgment; applied it to show that a prior period of letting (36 months in the present case) followed by vacancy brings the property within section 23(1)(c).

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Tribunal framed the dispositive question as whether ALV should be calculated at nil under section 23(1)(c) or under section 23(1)(a). The Tribunal proceeded step-by-step as follows:

  1. Established the undisputed facts: the units were let under a leave-and-license for 36 months from April 2007 and rental income was offered in earlier years; after expiry the licensee vacated and did not renew; there was no claim or finding that the assessee self-occupied the premises thereafter.
  2. Analysed the text and purpose of section 23(1)(c) in light of the statutory language and coordinate-bench precedents. The Tribunal emphasized the distinction between the phrases "property is let" in clause (c) and "house is actually let" used elsewhere (notably sub-section (3)).
  3. Adopted the purposive construction used by coordinate benches (particularly Informed Technologies, Premsudha Exports and the Pune bench in Vikas Keshav Garud) that clause (c) applies to properties held for letting out where there is intention and effort to let, and where the property had earlier been let but remained vacant during the relevant year—so long as the vacancy is not due to the assessee's self-occupation.
  4. Considered the High Court (Andhra Pradesh) decision in Vivek Jain, noting that the High Court stated clause (c) does not apply to properties never let at all but does cover properties let for two or more years that subsequently remained vacant for the previous year. The Tribunal concluded the CIT(A) had misconceived that judgment; instead, it supported the assessee's position on the present facts (prior letting for 36 months followed by vacancy and no self-occupation).
  5. Applied these legal principles to the facts of the present appeals and held that the condition of "property is let" in clause (c) did not require actual letting during the year under consideration when there was prior letting and the property was retained for letting and not self-occupied. Accordingly, the ALV could be taken at nil under section 23(1)(c).
  6. For A.Y. 2011-12 the Tribunal specifically vacated the addition of Rs. 8,40,000 made by the A.O. For A.Y. 2012-13 the Tribunal applied the same reasoning mutatis mutandis and found Grounds 2 and 3 to be rendered infructuous after accepting ALV nil under clause (c).

Holding and Implications

CORE RULING: The Tribunal allowed both appeals. The ALV of Unit No. 401 & 425, Balaji Bhavan for A.Y. 2011-12 and A.Y. 2012-13 is to be taken as nil under section 23(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act in light of prior letting and subsequent vacancy (with no self-occupation).

Direct consequences for the parties:

  • The determination of ALV by the Assessing Officer under section 23(1)(a) (Rs. 81,99,360 for A.Y. 2011-12 and Rs. 90,19,296 for A.Y. 2012-13) and the CIT(A)'s confirmation of those figures were set aside.
  • The addition of Rs. 8,40,000 made by the A.O. for A.Y. 2011-12 (and sustained by the CIT(A)) was vacated.
  • For A.Y. 2012-13, because ALV was accepted as nil under section 23(1)(c), the A.O.'s quantifications (including reliance on prior-year deemed rent and 10% appreciation) were rendered infructuous and dismissed accordingly.

Broader legal implication: The Tribunal applied existing coordinate-bench authority and a High Court observation to interpret section 23(1)(c) purposively; the order implements those precedents to the facts but does not purport to state a novel principle beyond those authorities.

Order pronounced in open court on 19.09.2018. Members: (G. Manjunatha) Accountant Member and (Ravish Sood) Judicial Member.

Show all summary ...

PER RAVISH SOOD, JM The present appeals filed by the assessee for A.Y 2011-12 and A.Y 2012-13 are directed against the respective orders passed by the CIT(A)-22, Mumbai, dated 22.01.2016 and 27.09.2016. As a common issue is involved in the aforementioned appeals, thus, the same are being taken up and disposed off together by way of a consolidate order. We shall first take up the appeal of the assessee for A.Y 2011-12. The assessee assailing the order passed by the CIT(A) has raised before us the following grounds of appeal : On the facts and circumstances of case and in law,

1. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) erred in confirming the action of the Assessing officer in computing the Annual Letting Value of the office premises at 81,99,360/- although the same ought to be taken as Nil under section 23(1)(c) of the Act. Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13

2. The learned Assessing officer further erred in adopting deemed rent received of Rs. 81,99,360/- as per last year in respect of office premises at Balaji Bhavan when during the previous year the said premises was lying vacant while computing Annual Value.

3. The learned Commissioner of Income tax (Appeals) erred in confirming the action of the learned Assessing Officer in calculating profit on sale of two office units under the head Short Term Capital Gain amounting to Rs. 35,32,544/- as against declared by the appellant as business income of Rs. 23,92,799/-.

2. Briefly stated, the assessee company which is engaged in construction business had filed its return of income for A.Y 2011-12 on 25.09.2011, declaring Nil income. Subsequently, the case of the assessee was taken up for scrutiny assessment under Sec. 143(2) of the Act.

3. During the course of the assessment proceedings, it was observed by the A.O that the balance sheet of the assessee revealed investments of Rs. 3,54,81,980/- in immovable properties on 01.04.2010. On being called upon to explain that as to why the deemed rental income of the aforesaid properties may not be brought to tax under the head Income from house property, the assessee objected to the same. It was the claim of the assessee that the Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhawan had remained vacant for the entire year as the licensee viz. M/s Sterling Construction System Pvt. Ltd. had vacated the premises and no rent, whatsoever, had thereafter been received. The A.O found the aforesaid claim of the assessee as factually correct. It was observed by the A.O that the assessee, vide agreement dated April, 2007 had let out Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan to M/s Sterling Construction P. Ltd. for a period of

36 months, and had offered the rental income received therefrom as its Income from house property in the preceding years. However, it was also noticed by the A.O, that after the expiry of the license period the licensee had vacated the property and conveyed its intention of not getting the license agreement renewed any further. The assessee in order to drive home its contention that the annual value of the property was to be taken at Nil, submitted that its case was covered by Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act. However, the A.O after deliberating on the contentions advanced by the assessee did not find favour with the same. The A.O was of the view that as per Sec. 23(1)(a) Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 of the Act, the sum for which the property might reasonably be expected to be let from year to year was to be taken as the deemed annual value of the property under Sec. 22 of the Act. Further, the A.O held a conviction that the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) could be pressed into service only when the property is actually let and had remained vacant for some period during the year. Thus, the A.O was of the view that as the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan were not at all let out during whole of the year, hence the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) would not be applicable to its case. On the basis of his aforesaid deliberations, the A.O computed the annual value of the property as per Sec. 23(1)(a) at Rs. 81,99,360/-.

4. Aggrieved, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A). The CIT(A) after deliberating at length on the contentions advanced by the assessee was however not persuaded to accept the same and sustained the order of the A.O in context of the issue under consideration.

5. The assessee being aggrieved with the order of the CIT(A) has carried the matter in appeal before us. The ld. Authorised representative (for short A.R) for the assessee, at the very outset of the hearing of the appeal submitted that the Ground of appeal No. 3 was not being pressed by him. In the backdrop of the concession of the ld. A.R the Ground of appeal No. 3 is dismissed as not pressed. The ld. A.R took us through the facts of the case and drew our attention to the relevant observations of the A.O and that of the CIT(A) in context of the issue under consideration. The ld. A.R took us through Para C of the Leave and License agreement, dated 22.04.2007 (Page 149) of the assessees Paper book (for short APB). On a perusal of the aforesaid extract of the agreement, it emerged that the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan was given by the assessee on leave and license basis for a period of 36 months commencing from 10.04.2007, and the same thereafter was renewable for a further period of 24 months with an enhanced license fees of 25%. It was submitted by the ld. A.R that a perusal of the agreement revealed that the assessee had intended to let out the property even for the year under Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 consideration viz. A.Y 2011-12. The ld. A.R submitted that the lower authorities had misconstrued or rather misconceived the scope and gamut of the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act. The ld. A.R relying on a decision of a coordinate bench of the Tribunal viz. ITAT, Pune bench A in the case of Vikas Keshav Garud Vs. ITO, Ward 1(2), Nashik (2016) 160 ITD 7 (Pune), submitted that Sec. 23(1)(c) clearly contemplated a situation where a property was vacant during the whole year. The ld. A.R taking support of the aforesaid order submitted that the word let and vacant are mutually exclusive terms, and a situation cannot exist where the property is let during the year and is also simultaneously vacant for the whole year. It was the contention of the ld. A.R that the lower authorities had failed to appreciate that the aforesaid statutory provision was to be viewed with regard to the intention, together with the efforts put by the assessee in letting out the property, and the gross annual value of the property was to be determined only after considering the said factors. The ld. A.R in order to buttress his aforesaid contention took support of sub-section (3) of Sec. 23 of the Act. It was submitted by the ld. A.R that the usage of the term house is actually let in sub-section (3) of Sec. 23, unlike the expression property is let used in Sec. 23(1)(c), clearly revealed that as and where the legislature had required actual letting of the property, there had been a conscious, purposive and intentional usage of the term actually, which however was absent in Sec. 23(1)(c). On the basis of his aforesaid contentions, it was submitted by the ld. A.R that the lower authorities had misconstrued the scope of Sec. 23(1)(c) and had wrongly read the requirement of actual letting of the property during the year in the same. Further, the ld. A.R in order to support his aforesaid interpretation of Sec. 23(1)(c), relied on the following orders of the coordinate benches of the Tribunal:

(i). Premsudha Exports (P) Ltd. Vs. ACIT, Central Circle 10, Mumbai (2008) 110 ITD 158 (Mum).

(ii). Informed Technologies India Ltd. Vs. DCIT-3(2), Mumbai (2017) 162 ITD 153 (Mum) Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13

(iii). ACIT, Circle-47(1), New Delhi Vs. Dr. Prabha Sanghi (2012) 139 ITD 504 (Del) In the backdrop of his aforesaid contentions, it was submitted by the ld. A.R that as the CIT(A) had erred in concluding that the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) would not be applicable for determining the annual value of the property under consideration, thus, his order may be set aside.

6. Per contra, the ld. Departmental representative (for short D.R) relied on the orders of the lower authorities. It was submitted by the ld. D.R that as the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan had remained vacant during whole of the year under consideration, thus, the lower authorities had rightly concluded that the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) would not be applicable and had rightly determined the annual value by pressing into service Sec. 23(1)(a) of the Act.

7. We have heard the authorised representatives of both the parties, perused the orders of the lower authorities and the material available on record. We find that our indulgence in the present appeal has been sought for adjudicating as to whether the annual value of the property owned by the assessee viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan, had rightly been determined by the assessee by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act at Rs. Nil, or the same was liable to be determined u/s 23(1)(a) as held by the lower authorities. We find that it is an admitted fact that though the assessee had vide agreement dated April, 2007 let out the Unit No. 401 &

425 of project Balaji Bhavan to M/s Sterling Construction Pvt. Ltd. for a period of 36 months, and had offered the rental income received therefrom as its Income from house property in the preceding years, but after the expiry of the license period of 36 months the licensee had vacated the property and conveyed its intention of not getting the license agreement renewed any further. We further find from a perusal of the records before us that it is not the case of the department that after the property was vacated, the same thereafter had remained under the self occupation of the assessee. In light of the aforesaid factual position in the case of the present assessee, Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 we find ourselves to be in agreement with the submissions of the Ld. A.R. that the issue raised before us is squarely covered by the orders of the coordinate benches of the Tribunal in the case of viz. (i). Vikas Keshav Garud Vs. ITO, Ward 1(2), Nashik (2016) 160 ITD 7 (Pune) (ii). ACIT, Circle-47(1), New Delhi Vs. Dr. Prabha Sanghi (2012) 139 ITD 504 (Del);

(iii). Premsudha Exports (P) Ltd. Vs. ACIT, Central Circle 10, Mumbai (2008)

110 ITD 158 (Mum); and (iv). Informed Technologies India Ltd. Vs. DCIT- 3(2), Mumbai (2017) 162 ITD 153 (Mum). We find that in the case of Informed technologies India Ltd. (supra) the Tribunal after deliberating at length on the issue as regards the scope and gamut of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, had observed as under : 7.1 We have considered the rival submissions of either side and perused the relevant material on record, including the orders of the authorities below. The issue under consideration for adjudication before us is as to whether the ALV of the property owned by the assessee in Darshan Aparments, Malabar Hills, Mumbai, had rightly been determined by the assessee by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, or the same was liable to be determined u/s 23(1)(a) as so held by the lower authorities. We find that it is matter of undisputed fact that the property of the assessee remained let out upto 04.12.2008, and thereafter the same remained vacant. We further find from the perusal of the records before us that it is not the case of the department that after the property was vacated as on 04.12.2008, the same thereafter remained under the self occupation of the assessee. That in light of the aforesaid factual position in the case of the present assessee, we find ourselves to be in agreement with the submissions of the Ld. A.R. that the issue raised before us for adjudication is squarely covered by the order of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal in the case of : Premsudha Exports (P) Ltd. Vs. ACIT (2008) 110 ITD 158 (Mum), wherein the Tribunal had therein held : If the property is held by the owner for letting out and efforts were made to let it out , that property is covered by this clause and this requirement has to be satisfied in each year that the property was being held to let out but remained vacant for whole or part of the year. We feel that the words property is let are used in this clause to take out those properties from the ambit of the clause in which properties are held by the owner for self- occupation i.e self occupied property (i.e SOP) because even income on account of SOP, excluding one such SOP of which annual value is to be adopted at nil, is also to be computed under this head as per Clause (a) of Section 23(1) if we see the combined reading of Sub-section (2) and (4) of Section 23. One thing is more important because we find that where the legislature have considered that actual letting out is required, they have used the words house is actually let. This can be seen in Sub-section (3) of same Section 23. But in Clause (c) Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 above, actually let words are not used and this also shows that meaning and interpretation of the words property is let cannot be property actually let out. In our opinion, it talks of properties which are held to letting out having intention to let out in the relevant year coupled with efforts made for letting it out. If these conditions are satisfied, it has to be held that property is let and the same will fall within the purview of this clause. We find ourselves to be in agreement with the aforesaid observations of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal, which analyzing the scope and gamut of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, had therein concluded that in light of the words Property is let used in clause (c) of Sec. 23(1) of the Act, unlike the term house is actually let as stands gathered from a conjoint reading of sub-section (2) to (4) of Sec. 23, it can safely and inescapably be gathered that the conscious, purposive and intentional usage of the aforesaid term Property is let in Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, cannot be substituted by the term house is actually let as used by the legislature in all its wisdom in sub-section (3) of Sec. 23. Thus it can safely be concluded that the requirement house is actually let during the year is not a prerequisite for bringing the case of an assessee within the sweep of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, as long as the property is let in the earlier period and is found vacant for the whole year under consideration, subject to the condition that such vacancy of the property is not for self occupation of the same by the assessee, who continues to hold the said property for the purpose of letting out. We are in agreement with the aforesaid observations of the coordinate bench that the usage of the term Property is let in Sec. 23(1)(c) had purposively been used to exclude those properties from the ambit of the clause which are held by the owner for self occupation purposes, because even though the ALV of one self occupied property so chosen by the assessee is taken at Nil, however the ALV of all the remaining self occupied properties are to be determined in terms of Sec. 23(1)(a) of the Act. Thus to our understanding the term Property is let used in Sec. 23(1)(c) is solely with the intent to avoid misuse of determination of the ALV of self occupied properties by the assesses by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c), however the same cannot be stretched beyond that and the ALV of a property which is let, but thereafter remains vacant for the whole year under consideration, though subject to the condition that the same is not put under self occupation of the assessee and is held for the purpose of letting out of the same, would continue to be determined u/s 23(1)(c) of the Act. Thus in light of the aforesaid order of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal and the reasonings flowing there from, we are of the considered view that the assessee in the present case had rightly determined the ALV of the property at Rs. Nil by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act. In this regard we are further of the view that the CIT(A) had misconceived the judgment of the Honble High Court of Andhra Pradesh in the case of Vikas Jain (supra), and on a perusal of the said judgment therein find that the Honble High Court in the concluding Para 14 &

15 had though concluded that the benefit of computing the ALV u/s 23(1)(c) could not be extended to a case where the property was not let out at all, would however duly encompass and take within its sweep cases where the property had remained let out for two or more years, but had remained vacant for the whole of the previous year. Thus we are of the view that now when in the case of the present assessee the property under consideration had remained let out upto 04.12.2008, and thereafter though could not be let out and had remained vacant during whole of the year under consideration, but also had never remained under the self occupation of the assessee, the Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 computation of the ALV u/s 23(1)(c) of the Act, had rightly been carried out in light of the aforesaid judgment of the Honble High Court. 7.2 That in light of our aforesaid observations the Ground of appeal No. 2 of the assessee is allowed and the addition of Rs. 8,40,000/- made by the A.O and as such sustained by the CIT(A) is herein vacated. We find ourselves to be in agreement with the aforesaid observations of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal, which we find, had while analyzing the scope and gamut of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, concluded that in light of the words Property is let used in clause (c) of Sec. 23(1) of the Act, unlike the term house is actually let as stands gathered from a conjoint reading of sub-section (2) to (4) of Sec. 23, it can safely and rather inescapably be gathered that the conscious, purposive and intentional usage of the aforesaid term Property is let in Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, cannot be substituted by the term house is actually let as used by the legislature in all its wisdom in sub-section (3) of Sec. 23. Thus, it can safely be concluded that the requirement that the house is actually let during the year is not to be taken as a prerequisite for bringing the case of an assessee within the sweep of Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, as long as the property is let in the earlier period and is found vacant for the whole year under consideration, subject to the condition that such vacancy of the property is not for self occupation of the same by the assessee who continues to hold the same for the purpose of letting out. We are in agreement with the aforesaid observations of the coordinate bench that the usage of the term Property is let in Sec. 23(1)(c) had purposively been used to exclude those properties from the ambit of the clause which are held by the owner for self occupation purposes, because even though the annual value of oneself occupied property so chosen by the assessee is taken at Nil, however the annual value of all the remaining self occupied properties are to be determined in terms of Sec. 23(1)(a) of the Act. Thus, to our understanding, though the term Property is let used in Sec. 23(1)(c) is solely with the intent to avoid misuse of determination of the annual value of self occupied properties by the assesses by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c), however, the same cannot be stretched beyond that and the annual value of a property which is let, but thereafter remains vacant for Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 the whole year under consideration, though subject to the condition that the same is not put under self occupation of the assessee and is held for the purpose of letting out of the same, would continue to be determined u/s 23(1)(c) of the Act. Thus, in light of the aforesaid order of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal and the reasonings flowing there from, we are of the considered view that the assessee in the present case had rightly determined the annual value of the property at Nil by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act.

8. We may further observe that the CIT(A) had misconceived the judgment of the Honble High Court of Andhra Pradesh in the case of Vivek Jain Vs. ACIT (2011) 337 ITR 74 (AP). We find that in the said judgment the Honble High Court in the concluding Para 14 & 15 had observed that though the benefit of computing the ALV u/s 23(1)(c) could not be extended to a case where the property was not let out at all, however the same would duly encompass and take within its sweep cases where the property had remained let out for two or more years, but had remained vacant for the whole of the previous year. Thus, we are of the considered view that now when in the case of the present assessee the property under consideration had remained let out for a period of 36 months, and thereafter though could not be let out and had remained vacant during whole of the year under consideration, but had never remained under the self occupation of the assessee, thus, no infirmity emerges from the computation of the annual value of the said property under Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act by the assessee.

9. That in light of our aforesaid observations the Ground of appeal No. 1 and 2 of the assessee are allowed and the determination of the annual value of the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan at Rs. 81,99,360/- by the A.O by taking recourse to Sec. 23(1)(a), which thereafter was sustained by the CIT(A), is vacated. The order of the CIT(A) is set aside in terms of our aforesaid observations.

10. The appeal of the assessee is allowed. Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 AY 2012-13

11. We shall now take up the appeal of the assessee for A.Y 2012-13. The assessee assailing the order of the CIT(A) has raised before us the following grounds of appeal : On the facts and circumstances of case and in law,

1. The learned Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) erred in confirming the action of the Assessing officer in computing the Annual Letting Value of the office premises at 90,19,296/- although the same ought to be taken as Nil under section 23(1)(c) of the Act.

2. The learned Assessing officer further erred in adopting deemed rent received of Rs. 81,99,360/- as per A.Y 2009-10 in respect of office premises at Balaji Bhavan and further appreciation of 10% while computing Annual Letting Value in the assessment order when during the previous year the said premises was lying vacant.

3. Without prejudice to the above grounds of appeal the learned Commissioner of Income tax (Appeals) erred in not accepting the plea of the appellant that the annual letting value under section 23(1)(a) of the premises at Balaji Bhavan for the vacant period should be computed by adopting the reasonable rent as per the municipal rateable value of the premises.

12. Briefly stated, the assessee company had filed its return of income for A.Y 2012-13 on 29.09.2012, declaring income of Rs. 1,25,34,810/-. The return of income filed by the assessee was processed as such under Sec. 143(1) of the Act. Subsequently, the case of the assessee was taken up for scrutiny assessment under Sec. 143(2) of the Act.

13. During the course of the assessment proceedings it was observed by the A.O that the balance sheet of the assessee revealed investments of Rs. 3,43,36,083/- in immovable properties. On being called upon to explain that as to why the deemed rental income of the aforesaid properties may not be brought to tax under the head Income from house property, the assessee objected to the same. It was the claim of the assessee that the Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhawan had remained vacant for the entire year as the tenant viz. M/s Sterling Construction System Pvt. Ltd. had vacated the premises and no rent, whatsoever, had thereafter been received. The A.O found the aforesaid claim of the assessee as factually correct. It was Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 observed by the A.O that though the assessee had let out Unit No. 401 &

425 of project Balaji Bhavan to M/s Sterling Construction P. Ltd. for 36 months, vide agreement dated April, 2007 and had offered the rental income received therefrom as its Income from house property in the preceding years, but after the expiry of the license period of 36 months the licensee had vacated the property and conveyed its intention of not getting the license agreement renewed any further. The assessee in order to drive home its contention that the annual value of the property was to be taken at Nil, submitted that its case was covered by Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act. However, the A.O after deliberating on the contentions advanced by the assessee did not find favour with the same. The A.O was of the view that as per Sec. 23(1)(a) of the Act, the sum for which the property might reasonably be expected to be let from year to year was to be taken as the deemed annual value of the property under Sec. 22 of the Act. Further, the A.O held a conviction that the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) could be pressed into service only when the property is actually let and had remained vacant for some period during the year. Thus, the A.O was of the view that as the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan was not at all let out during whole of the year under consideration, hence the provisions of Sec. 23(1)(c) would not be applicable in its case. On the basis of his aforesaid observations the A.O computed the annual value of the property as per Sec. 23(1)(a) at Rs. 90,19,296/-.

14. Aggrieved, the assessee carried the matter in appeal before the CIT(A). The CIT(A) after deliberating at length on the contentions advanced by the assessee was however not persuaded to accept the same and upheld the order of the A.O in context of the issue under consideration.

15. The assessee being aggrieved with the order of the CIT(A) has carried the matter in appeal before us. We find that as the facts and the issues involved in the present appeal of the assessee for A.Y 2012-13 remains the same as were there before us in the appeal of the revenue for AY 2011-12, as had been adjudicated by us hereinabove, thus, our order passed while disposing off the appeal of the assessee for A.Y 2011-12 shall apply mutatis Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13 mutandis for adjudicating the present appeal of the assessee for A.Y 2012-

13 viz. ITA No. 66/Mum/2017. The Ground of appeal Nos. 1 raised by the assessee is thus allowed in the same terms.

16. That as we have accepted the claim of the assessee that the annual value of the property under consideration viz. Unit No. 401 & 425 of project Balaji Bhavan was rightly computed by it at Nil under Sec. 23(1)(c) of the Act, thus, the Grounds of appeal nos. 2 and 3 wherein the quantification of the annual value by the A.O has been assailed before us, having been rendered as infructuous are dismissed.

17. The appeal of the assessee is allowed.

18. That both the appeals of the assessee i.e ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 and ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 for A.Y 2011-12 and A.Y 2012-13 are allowed. Order pronounced in the open court on 19.09.2018. Sd/- Sd/- (G. MANJUNATHA) (RAVISH SOOD) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER Mumbai; 19.09.2018 Ps. Rohit /Copy of the Order forwarded to :

1. / The Appellant

2. / The Respondent.

3. () / The CIT(A)-

4. / CIT

5. , , / DR, ITAT, Mumbai

6. / Guard file. //True Copy// / BY ORDER, / (Dy./Asstt. Registrar) , / ITAT, Mumbai Sonu Realtors Pvt. Ltd. Vs. DCIT-14(3)(2), Mumbai ITA No. 2892/Mum/2016 & ITA No. 66/Mum/2017 A.Ys 2011-12 & 2012-13