ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF URBAN LAND TAXAND OTHERS vs THE BUCKINGHAM & CARNATIC CO. LTD., ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Madras Urban Land Tax Act, 1966, stating it was valid under Entry 49 of List II of the Constitution and did not violate Articles 14 and 19(1)(f). The Court clarified that the Act's imposition of tax on urban land based on market value was within the legislative competence of the State, and the retrospective effect of the tax was not unreasonable. The Court rejected claims that the Act conflicted with Entry 86 of List I, affirming that it did not infringe upon the rights to acquire and dispose of property.