1. Challenge to the validity of the Mysore Cinematograph Shows Tax Act, 1951, regarding the levy of taxes on cinematograph shows. (Para 1 , 2 )
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1959 Supreme(SC) 3
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
16th January 1959
S.R. DAS, C.J.I., S.K. DAS, P.B. GAJENDRAGADKAR, K.N. WANCHOO AND M. HIDAYATULLAH, JJ.
Y. V. Srinivasamurthy and others, Appellants
Versus
The State of Mysore and another, Respondents.
Civil Appeals Nos. 280 to 286 and 288 of 1956. 895
Advocates appeared
Mr. R. M. Seshadri, Advocate (with special permission of the Court) (Mr. S. Venkatakrishnan, Advocate, with him), for Appellants; Mr. H. N. Sanyal, Additional Solicitor-General of India (M/s. R. Gopalakrishnan, R. H. Dhebar and T. M. Sen, Advocate, with him), for Respondents.
Advocates:
H.N.SANYAL, R.GOPAL KRISHNAN, R.H.Dhebar, R.M.Sachthey, S.VENKATESHWARA RAO, T.M.SEN
H.N.SANYAL, R.GOPAL KRISHNAN, R.H.Dhebar, R.M.Sachthey, S.VENKATESHWARA RAO, T.M.SEN
A tax on cinematograph shows is classified as a tax on entertainments and amusements (luxury tax) rather than a tax on professions or trades, and is therefore not subject to the monetary limits imposed on professional taxes under the Constitution.
Headnote:(A) Constitution of India - Art. 276(2) and Art. 14 - Seventh Schedule, List II, Entry 60 and Entry 62 - List I, Entry 60 - Tax on cinematograph shows - Whether a tax on cinema exhibitions falls under taxes on professions, trades, callings and employments or under taxes on luxuries including entertainments and amusements - If the latter, the limitation under Art. 276(2) does not apply - The terms "entertainments" and "amusements" are wide enough to include cinemas, theatres, and sports - Specific mention of "cinemas" in Entry 33 of List II is to avoid conflict with Entry 60 of List I and does not exclude cinemas from the scope of Entry 62. (Paras 2, 3)
(B) Taxation - Quantum of tax - Argument that excessive taxation destroying business renders the law ultra vires - Such a contention requires investigation into facts and evidence - Court cannot interfere with the wisdom of the legislature regarding the rate of taxation without evidence. (Para 4)
Facts of the case:
Appellants, being owners and lessees of cinema houses, challenged the validity of a tax levied on cinematograph shows under a state act. They contended that the tax was a tax on professions and trades, making it subject to the monetary limits prescribed under the Constitution. They further argued that the specific omission of the word "cinemas" from the entry relating to luxury taxes meant the legislature lacked competence to tax cinemas under that specific entry.
Findings of Court:
The tax on cinematograph shows is a tax on entertainments and amusements falling under the entry for taxes on luxuries, not a tax on professions or trades. Consequently, the restrictions on the amount of tax applicable to professional taxes do not apply.
Issues: Whether the tax on cinematograph shows falls under Entry 60 (taxes on professions, trades, callings and employments) or Entry 62 (taxes on luxuries including entertainments and amusements) of List II of the Seventh Schedule, and whether the high quantum of tax renders the Act ultra vires.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that "entertainments" and "amusements" are broad terms encompassing cinemas. The specific mention of "cinemas" in another entry was merely to prevent conflict with the Union List. Furthermore, the court ruled that the wisdom of the legislature in setting tax rates cannot be questioned as ultra vires without substantial evidence showing the tax is confiscatory.
Result: Appeals dismissed.
Legal Category Hierarchy
Table of Contents
2. Whether the tax falls under Entry 60 or Entry 62 of List II, and whether excessive tax quantum renders the law ultra vires. (Para 2 , 3 , 4 )
3. Terms entertainments and amusements in Entry 62 include cinemas; the court does not review legislative wisdom regarding tax quantum without factual evidence. (Para 3 , 4 )
4. Taxes on cinematograph shows are levies on luxuries, entertainments, and amusements under Entry 62 of List II, not taxes on professions or trades under Entry 60. (Para 2 , 3 )
5. Appeals dismissed. (Para 5 )
6. Does a tax on cinematograph shows fall under Entry 60 or Entry 62 of List II of the Seventh Schedule?
It falls under Entry 62, which covers taxes on luxuries, including entertainments and amusements, as these terms are wide enough to include cinemas. (Para 2 , 3 )
7. Why is cinema specifically mentioned in Entry 33 of List II if it is covered by entertainments in Entry 62?
The specific mention of cinema in Entry 33 is intended to avoid any possible conflict between that entry and Entry 60 of List I. (Para 3 )
8. Can a tax law be declared ultra vires solely because the tax quantum is excessively high and destroys business?
No, the court does not concern itself with the wisdom of the legislature, and such a conclusion would be a dangerous precedent without specific evidence. (Para 4 )
Judgment
DAS CJI. : These eight appeals arise out of eight writ petitions filed by the appellants in the High Court of Mysore challenging the validity of the MYSORE CINEMATOGRAPH SHOWS TAX ACT of 1951 (Mysore Act XVI of 1951) and praying for appropriate writs or orders restraining the respondents or their officers from collecting the taxes which had been levied under the provisions of the said Act from the appellants, as the said provisions contravened the provisions of Art. 276 (2) and Art. 14 of the Constitution of India. The appellant in Appeal No. 281 of 1956 is the lessee of a cinema House where he exhibits cinema films. All the appellants in the other appeals are the owners of their respective cinema Houses where they exhibit cinema films. As the Division Bench of the Mysore High Court hearing the petitions was unable to come to an agreed decision, the matter was referred to a Full Bench. By a unanimous judgment delivered on 31-1-1956 the Full Bench dismissed the writ petitions. Aggrieved by the said judgment the appellants applied for and, on 10-2-1956 obtained certificates of fitness for appeal to this Court. Hence the present appeals which have been consolidated and heard together.
2. The tax has been sought to be levied under S. 3 of the MYSORE CINEMATOGRAPH SHOWS TAX ACT , 1951 which authorises the levy of tax on cinematograph shows calculated at rates therein mentioned. "Cinematograph Show" has been defined in S. 2 as meaning any cinematograph exhibition held in any place to which persons are admitted on payment. The rates of taxes have been prescribed in that section in a rising scale according to the seating accommodation and the cities where the cinematograph show is held. This Act, according to the respondents, is a law with respect to matters enumerated in entry 62 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution which runs as follows: "Taxes on luxuries including taxes on entertainments, amusements, betting and gambling" which corresponds to entry 50 in List II to the Seventh Schedule to the Government of India Act, 1935. Learned counsel for the appellants, on the other hand, contends that this Act is clearly a law made with respect to matters enumerated in entry 60 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution which reads thus: "Taxes on professions, trades, callings and employments". The argument is that that being the true position, the amount of tax cannot exceed the amount permitted by Art. 276 (2) of the Constitution which corresponds to S. 142A of the Government of India Act, 1935. This point is covered by our judgment just delivered in Western India Theatres Ltd. v. Cantonment Board, Poona, Civil Appeal No. 145 of 1955: (AIR 1959 SC 582) and must be held against the appellants.
3. It is only necessary, here to refer to an additional argument that was advanced by learned counsel for the appellants before us in support of his contention. He drew our attention to entry 33 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution which runs as follows: "Theatres and dramatic performances; cinemas subject to the provisions of entry 60 of List I; sports, entertainments and amusements." He contends that that entry covers laws made with respect to each of the items as a separate subject, but points out that entry 62, which has been quoted above, permits imposition of tax only on luxuries including taxes on entertainments, amusements, betting and gambling. Learned counsel concludes that that law made with respect to entry 62 cannot permit imposition of taxes on cinemas, for the word "cinemas" mentioned in entry 33 has been omitted from entry 62. We do not think there is any substance in this argument. Learned counsel agrees that the words entertainments" and "amusements" are wide enough to include theatres, dramatic performances, cinemas, sports and the like. If his argument is correct, then, on a parity of reasoning, the State Legislature will have no competence to enact a law imposing a tax on th
