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Issues:
Income tax reference under section 256(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 regarding the dissolution of a firm on the death of a partner and the subsequent formation of a new partnership. Analysis: The case involved a firm constituted under a partnership deed with three partners, one of whom died. The surviving partners agreed to include the deceased partner's widow as a new partner, resulting in a change in the partnership ratio. The firm filed two separate returns for the periods before and after the death of the partner. The Income-tax Officer assessed the income of both periods as belonging to the same firm with a change in constitution. The Commissioner of Income-tax (Appeals) accepted the contention that the firm dissolved on the death of the partner and a new firm was formed. The Revenue appealed to the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, which upheld the Commissioner's decision based on previous judgments requiring separate assessments for such cases. The Tribunal referred the matter to the High Court, which considered various precedents and held that when a partner dies and a new partner is added, two separate assessments for the respective periods must be made. The High Court affirmed the Tribunal's decision, stating that in this case, two separate assessments for the periods before and after the death of the partner should be conducted. The court relied on established legal principles and previous judgments to support its decision. In conclusion, the High Court answered the question in the affirmative, affirming the need for two separate assessments for the two distinct periods in the case. The parties were directed to bear their own costs, and the decision was based on established legal principles and precedents in similar cases.
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