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Issues:
- Interpretation of section 5(1)(iv) of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957. - Entitlement of partners in a partnership firm to exemption for their shares in the property of the firm. Analysis: The judgment dealt with the interpretation of section 5(1)(iv) of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957, concerning the entitlement of partners in a partnership firm to exemption for their shares in the property of the firm. The assessees, who were partners in a partnership firm, claimed exemption for their shares in the property of the firm under section 5(1)(iv) of the Act. The Wealth Tax Officer initially denied the exemption, contending that the property belonged to the partnership, not to the individual partners. However, the Tribunal held that the assessees were entitled to the exemption for their shares in the property held by the firm, and the value of their shares should not be included in their taxable wealth. A Division Bench of the court had previously examined a similar question in another case and observed that according to the principles of English jurisprudence adopted in India, a firm has no legal existence, and the partnership property vests in all partners. Therefore, each partner has an interest in the property of the partnership. The court cited precedents to support the view that a partner can claim a specific interest in the assets of the firm apart from their general interest as a partner. The court emphasized that the property of the firm is essentially the property of its partners. Based on the principles established in previous cases and the specific interpretation of the law, the court concluded that the assessees, as partners in the firm, were entitled to the exemption under section 5(1)(iv) of the Act for their shares in the property owned by the partnership. The court's decision was in line with previous judgments and upheld the Tribunal's ruling in favor of the assessees. Therefore, the court answered the question posed in the affirmative, affirming the entitlement of the assessees to the exemption for their shares in the property of the partnership firm.
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