Sinha, J. - (1.) These are three applications arising from a common set of facts. There are also two contempt applications arising therefrom. They have been heard together and it will be convenient to dispose of all the five applications by one judgment.
(2.) The facts in these cases are briefly as follows: The petitioner's assessment for the year 1945-46 was completed on 18tn August, 1945. With regard to the assessment which had been made, he has paid the amount which I am told is Rs. 10,107-7-0. Under Section 2 (11) of the Income-tax Act (hereinafter called the 'Act'), the words "previous year" have been defined. The relevant part of the definition is as follows : ''(11). 'previous year' means. (i) in respect of any separate source of income, proats and gains, (a) the twelve months ending on 31st day of March next preceding the year for which the assessment is to be made, or, if the accounts of the assessee have been made up to a dute within the said twelve months in respect of an order ending on any date other than the said 31st day of March, then, at the option of the assessee, the year ending on the date to which his accounts have been made up."
(3.) In respect of the assessment concluded as aforesaid, the petitioner had exercised his option and declared his accounting year as beginning from 1st May of every year and ending on 30th April next year. According to this, the assessment year 1945-46 would correspond to the accounting year of the assessee from May 1, 1943 to April 30, 1944.;