Mrs. RAFIA AHMAD vs EXCISE AND TAXATION OFFICER 'H' DIVISION And Other
This matter originated as a petition for leave to appeal against a judgment of the Sind High Court, which had dismissed a constitutional petition challenging property tax assessment orders issued by Excise and Taxation authorities. The petitioner, owner of a residential property in Karachi, contested the substantial upward revision of the Fair Annual Rental Value (F.A.R.V.) of her property, which had been increased from Rs. 10,500 to Rs. 1,68,000, and subsequently reduced to Rs. 1,44,000 through administrative appeals and revisions. The core legal question before the Supreme Court concerned whether the High Court failed to properly interpret Section 9 of the Sind Urban Immovable Property Act, 1958, and whether a statutory bar existed against the enhancement of property assessment under proviso 2 to Section 5 of the same Act, as introduced on 1-7-1977. Finding that the petitioner's submissions regarding the statutory interpretation and the alleged bar on enhancement deserved detailed consideration, the Supreme Court granted leave to appeal. The Court further ordered a stay on the recovery of the impugned tax demand, subject to the petitioner depositing security in the form of 'Khas Deposit Certificates'.
- Does proviso 2 to Section 5 of the Sind Urban Immovable Property Act, 1958, create a complete bar to the enhancement of property tax assessment?
- Did the High Court err in its interpretation of Section 9 of the Sind Urban Immovable Property Act, 1958, regarding property tax assessments?
- Section 5, Sind Urban Immovable Property Act 1958
- Section 9, Sind Urban Immovable Property Act 1958
ORDER
1. ABDUL KADIR SHAIKH, J.--This is a petition for leave to appeal from the judgment of Sind High Court, dated 4-3-1986, by which a Constitutional Petition filed by the petitioner was dismissed. By that petition, petitioner sought to challenge the orders passed by the Excise and Taxation Authorities regarding the assessm ent of the property in question under the Sind Urban Immovable Property Act, 1958. The facts of the case briefly stated are as under: Petitioner is the owner of a residential building constructed some time in 1954-1955 on plot bearing No. 20-C. Block No. 6, P.E.C.H.S., Karachi measuring 1500, sq. Yds. On 27-4-1986 the F.A.R.V. Of the property was fixed at Rs.10,500 and it was then revised to Rs.1,68,000 into effect from 1-7-1983.
2. Petitioner filed an appeal against this order but she got partial relief to the extent of 20$ rebate but the appeal was otherwise dismissed by the Director, Excise and Taxation (Taxes Karachi) by the order, dated 29-2-1984. Petitioner then filed a revision application against the aforesaid order but this too was dismissed by the order, dated 26-12-1984, subject, however, with the reduction of the assessm ent from .Rs.1,68,000 to Rs.1,44,000. It was in these circumstances the petitioner challenged these orders in the constitutional petition in the Sind High Court, which, however, was dismissed as stated earlier.
3. Mr. Muhammad Naseem, learned counsel appearing in support of the petition submits that the High Court has failed to appreciate the provisions of section 9 of the Act and also that there is a complete bar to the enhancement of the assessment by virtue of proviso 2 to section 5 of the Urban Immovable Property Tax Act, 1958, which was introduced on 1-7-1977.
4. The aforesaid submission amongst others deserves consideration. We, therefore, grant leave and allow the petition. Security Rs.1,000.
5. Appeal will be heard on the present record but it is open to the parties to file additional documents, if any.
6. The recovery of the impugned demand is stayed till the appeal is decided but the petitioner shall deposit "Khas Deposit Certificates" to the extent of the tax demand which shall not be cashed pending the appeal.