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Appeal against denial of registration to a firm due to inconsistencies in retirement dates of partners and validity of new partnership deed. Analysis: The appeal was filed by the assessee firm against the order denying registration. The firm was initially constituted with 5 partners, including Apparao and his son Mallikharjuna Rao. A dissolution deed was executed on 12th Dec., 1981, where Apparao and Mallikharjuna Rao retired, and a new partner was inducted on 24th Dec., 1981. The issue arose due to inconsistencies in the retirement dates of the partners as per the dissolution deed and the new partnership deed. The Income Tax Officer (ITO) and the Appellate Authority Commissioner (AAC) both held that the new partnership deed was invalid, leading to the denial of registration. The Tribunal analyzed the facts and circumstances surrounding the retirement dates of the partners. The dissolution deed clearly stated the retirement date as 30th Nov., 1981, which was accepted as genuine and valid. The new partnership deed mentioned the retirement date as 1st April, 1981, which the assessee claimed to be a mistake. The Tribunal considered whether this inconsistency invalidated the partnership deed. It was noted that the narration in the new partnership deed was erroneous, as it contradicted the dissolution deed's terms. The Tribunal referred to a previous case to emphasize that an honest mistake in profit distribution does not affect the firm's validity. Furthermore, the Tribunal observed that the conduct of the assessee supported the argument that the retirement date discrepancy was a mistake. The firm had not closed its books on 30th Nov., 1981, and the method used to calculate profits for the retiring partners seemed erroneous. However, it was deemed an honest mistake, aligning with the principles established in previous legal precedents. Therefore, the Tribunal concluded that the firm was entitled to registration, and the appeal was allowed. In conclusion, the Tribunal found in favor of the assessee, granting registration to the firm despite the inconsistencies in the retirement dates of the partners and the erroneous narration in the new partnership deed. The decision was based on the understanding that the discrepancies were unintentional mistakes that did not invalidate the firm's eligibility for registration.
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