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Issues:
Cancellation of registration granted to the assessee by the ITO for the assessment years 1980-81 and 1981-82; Determination of the status of the assessee as a registered or unregistered firm based on the partnership deed and the involvement of Smt. Sakkubai in the firm's affairs. Analysis: The case involved appeals by the assessee against the cancellation of registration granted by the ITO for the assessment years 1980-81 and 1981-82, along with a direction by the Commissioner to consider the assessee as an unregistered firm. The partnership deed executed after the death of a chartered accountant, Shri J. Srinivasan, allocated profits among partners and Smt. Sakkubai, the widow, who was not explicitly mentioned as a partner. The Commissioner, relying on the Punjab & Haryana High Court decision, concluded that Smt. Sakkubai's involvement made her a de facto partner, rendering the firm ineligible for registration. The assessee contended that Smt. Sakkubai's role was to safeguard the firm's goodwill until her sons could take over, and her profit share was for goodwill use only. The power to sign cheques did not confer partnership status, and the payments to her were akin to the Devidas Vithaldas & Co. case, allowing deductions for goodwill use. The departmental representative argued that Smt. Sakkubai's significant role in the firm made her a partner under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932. The Tribunal analyzed the case, distinguishing it from Eastern Commercial Corpn., where extraordinary powers led to a partnership denial. In this case, Smt. Sakkubai was not a financier, and her involvement did not necessitate registration refusal. The Devidas Vithaldas & Co. precedent on goodwill payments supported the view that Smt. Sakkubai's share was for goodwill use, not partnership. Her lack of chartered accountant status further negated partnership eligibility. Consequently, the Tribunal set aside the Commissioner's orders, reinstating the ITO's decisions. In conclusion, the appeals were allowed, emphasizing that Smt. Sakkubai's involvement did not establish partnership status, warranting registration restoration for the firm.
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