NATIONAL & GRINDLAYS BANK LTD. vs THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF GREATERBOMBAY

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 146 of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, holding that when land is leased and a tenant constructs a building, a composite assessment of property tax on both land and building is mandated, with primary liability resting on the landlord. The Court affirmed that the term 'lessor' in Section 146(2)(a) refers to the landowner, not the tenant who built on the land. The decision in Ramji Keshavji v. Municipal Corporation for Greater Bombay was approved, reinforcing the interpretation of tax liability under the Act.