Bombay High Court Dismisses Anushka Sharma’s Petition Challenging VAT Assessment Order

The Bombay High Court dismissed two petitions filed by actor Anushka Sharma’s tax consultant. This was apparently the first time someone filed a petition through their tax consultant, Bombay High Court Remarked and questioning this move.

The petitions challenged the orders passed by the deputy commissioner of sales tax, Mazgaon, for assessment years 2012-12 and 2013-14, done under the Maharashtra Value-Added Tax Act.

The petitions were filed by tax consultant Shrikant Velekar. Bench comprising of Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Gauri Godse stated, “There is no reason why the petitioner cannot file these petitions on solemn affirmation.”

‘The writ petitions are thus dismissed, with the petitioner free to file petitions on the petitioner’s own affirmation.’

Anushka Sharma said through her counsel that the tax assessment for two financial years had an issue as the officer incorrectly determined it by adding the endorsements and anchoring of award shows.

The petition also said that copyrights are intangible goods and can be taxable to five percent. It stated, “Performer’s rights are not copyrights, and performer’s rights are not capable of being transferred to any other person.”