New Delhi, Apr 2: The Delhi High Court (HC) today issued notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on a petition filed by the Union Government challenging the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)'s decision, which had stated that the gifts she received from the Bahujan Samaj Party supporters were not taxable.

A bench comprising Justice Madan B Lockur and Justice V B Gupta directed Mayawati to file her response by September 19, the next date of hearing.

In the notice, the HC asked Mayawati the reasons as to why her income should not be considered as taxable.

Earlier, the ITAT gave Mayawati a clean chit in the disproportionate assets case and had accepted her claim that immovable property worth Rs 62.72 lakh and cash payments of Rs two lakh were the gifts given by her supporters out of love and affection.

The Government in its appeal had held her claim as acceptable and contended that the cash and property presented to Mayawati should be taken as part of her annual income.

The case pertains to the assessment year 2003-04. (ANI)