Legal Case Summary

Case Details
Case ID d68151dc-f3bf-4949-9980-4a486888a570
Body View case body.
Case Number D-2741 of 2003
Decision Date Sep 28, 2003
Hearing Date
Decision The High Court set aside the orders of the Commissioner (Appeals) and the Tribunal, remitting the matter back to the Assessing Officer. It ruled that the burden of proof lies with the assessee to demonstrate that the price paid for the imported rough diamonds was not excessive or unreasonable. The court emphasized the importance of proper documentation and evidence to support the claims made by the assessee. The case highlights the significance of compliance with Section 40A(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act, particularly in transactions not conducted at arm's length.
Summary In the case of Commissioner of Income Tax v. Shatrunjay Diamonds, the Bombay High Court addressed significant issues regarding excessive payments in the diamond industry under Section 40A(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The assessee, a diamond business, imported rough diamonds from a sister concern, M/s. Paras Gems, and faced disallowance of Rs. 12,50,000 by the Assessing Officer due to perceived excessive pricing. The court ruled that the burden rested on the assessee to prove that the prices were fair and aligned with international market standards. The case underscores the necessity for thorough documentation and adherence to legal standards in financial transactions, especially within closely related entities. The High Court's decision to remand the case for further examination emphasizes the critical nature of evidentiary support in tax assessments. This case serves as a crucial reference point for tax professionals navigating the complexities of transfer pricing and related party transactions, making it a key topic for practitioners in the field.
Court Bombay High Court
Entities Involved M/s. Paras Gems, Shatrunjay Diamonds
Judges S.H. Kapadia, J.P. Devadhar
Lawyers R.V. Desai, P.S. Jetley, K.R. Chaudhari, K.B. Rao, S.J. Mehta, Ms. A. Vissanjee
Petitioners Commissioner of Income Tax
Respondents Shatrunjay Diamonds
Citations 2003 SLD 3642, (2003) 261 ITR 258
Other Citations 2016 PTD 1675, PLD 1997 SC 32
Laws Involved Income-tax Act, 1961
Sections 40A(2)