A family settlement does not result in a “transfer” and compensation received to equalize inequalities in family settlement is not taxable as “income”
There was a dispute between two groups of a family. During the pendency of litigation, the parties agreed to divide the assets and businesses of the family into two lots i.e. lot-1 containing the Jalandhar and Ambala units and lot-2 containing the Delhi and Jaipur units. In terms of such settlement, lot-1 fell to the share of Group ‘A’ and lot-2 fell to the share of Group ‘B’ with the condition of payment of Rs.24 crores. A dispute regarding the date of split of the said amount was pending. The AO assessed the said sum in the hands of the assessee. This was reversed by the CIT(A) and Tribunal on the ground that the distribution of assets including the sum of Rs.24 crores was not complete as the matter was sub-judice and the amount did not accrue to the income of the group ‘A”. On appeal by the department to the High Court, the Court had to consider whether the compensation paid to the assessee to settle inequalities in partition, being a provision of “owelty” represents immovable property and is not an income exigible to tax. HELD by the High Court dismissing the appeal:
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