New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said recognised political parties need money to propagate their respective “political regime” and dismissed a petition seeking to lift “100 per cent tax exemption” granted to them.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar did not find any merit with a writ petition filed by advocate M.L. Sharma challenging certain provisions in the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act.
Mr. Sharma had challenged the constitutionality of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act of 1961 and Section 29 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The petition asked the apex court to decide on why ordinary persons are taxed while political parties enjoy exemption from tax.
“Political parties registered with the Election Commission of India are 100 per cent exempted from paying Income Tax under Section 13A of Income Tax Act, 1961 as long as the political parties file their Income Tax Returns every assessment year along with their audited accounts, income/ expenditure details and balance sheet,” the petition said.
“This is a serious financial and life injury to the citizen of India. If it is not stopped and quashed it will be serious endanger to the whole society, livelihood and life of the citizen of India,” the petition said.
The petition also seeks the apex court’s intervention to respond to several questions of law like, if the Indian Constitution recognises the need for a political party membership for membership in the parliament and state legislative counsel and assembly.
“In the present scenario, political parties work for themselves to grave maximum seat in the House for their nominated person via hook and crook. They serve no social and moral service to the citizen of India as well as to the country. On the other hand, they have been at the root of corruption,” the petition alleged.
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