The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on a petition by the Central government challenging Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's decision that gifts given to the Bahujan Samaj Party leader by her supporters were not taxable.

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

The Centre had challenged the Tribunal's order, which had held that gifts, including cash and property given by her supporters, was out of love and affection and not taxable.

The Tribunal had accepted the plea of Mayawati that immovable property worth Rs 62.72 lakh and cash payments of Rs two lakh were the gifts given by her supporters.

The government had contended that the cash and property presented to the BSP leader should be taken as part of her annual income tax.