Loss on purchase and sale of units issued by UTI not a speculative loss and not a colourable device even if entered into with a motive to avoid taxes

The taxpayer, Porrits & Spencers (Asia) Limited, is a public limited company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956. It is in the business of manufacturing of engineered fabrics and industrial textiles. During the financial year 1990-91 it purchased, on credit, 2.5 million units of US64 (the units) of Unit Trust of India (UTI) on 21 May 1990 at the prevailing market rate of Rs. 15 per unit. As per the certificate issued by UTI, such units were transferred to the taxpayer on 30 May 1990. The taxpayer received a dividend of Rs. 4.5 million on the said units on 6 July 1990. The taxpayer s...