Judgment

SHAH, J.: This appeal is filed with certificate granted by the High Court of Patna under S. 66A (2) of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922.

2. The Indian Machinery Stores (P) Ltd., is a private company incorporated with the object of taking over the business carried on by the India Machinery and Mills Stores - hereinafter called the vendors . By an agreement dated August 2, 1956, the Company agreed to purchase all the assets of the vendors, goodwill and the "book-debts and other liabilities and claims against the Company" as on the date of transfer in consideration of allotment of 260 fully paid-up shares of the Company of the nominal value of Rs. 2,60,000/-. It was provided by cl. 4 of the agreement:

"That all assets of the vendors in respect of all its business shall be taken over at the book value standing in the books of accounts of the vendors as on the 1 August One Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-six."

3. In a proceeding for assessment to tax for 1958-59, the Income-tax Officer found that in the books of the vendors the "value of stock" as on August 1, 1956 was Rs. 1,77,285/- while in the books of the Company the opening stock taken over by the Company was valued on the same da