According to the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, a partnership can be formed by an oral or written agreement between two or more persons. The registration of a partnership firm is not mandatory, but it has certain advantages and disadvantages. A registered partnership firm has legal recognition and can sue or be sued in its own name. An unregistered partnership firm, on the other hand, has certain limitations and disabilities, such as not being able to enforce its rights or obligations against third parties or other partners in a court of law.
The legality of your father’s partnership firm may depend on the nature and terms of the agreement that he had with his friend. If there was a written partnership deed that clearly defined the roles, responsibilities, and profit-sharing ratio of each partner, then it may be considered as a valid agreement between them. However, if there was no written partnership deed or if the partnership deed was vague or ambiguous, then it may be difficult to prove the existence and validity of the partnership in a court of law.
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, is an act that regulates the production, supply, and distribution of certain commodities that are essential for the public. The act empowers the central and state governments to issue licenses and permits for dealing with such commodities and to impose restrictions and penalties for violating the provisions of the act. The Indian Contract Act, 1872, is an act that governs the formation and enforcement of contracts in India. The act lays down the principles and rules for valid contracts, their performance, breach, and remedies.
Your father’s partnership firm may be illegal under the Essential Commodities Act if it was dealing with fertilizers without a valid license issued by the state government. This may attract criminal liability and penalties under the act. Your father may also be liable under the Indian Contract Act if he breached any contractual obligations that he had with his customers or suppliers.
Your claim for money due from your father’s partner may not be dismissed if you can prove that your father was a partner in the firm and that he had contributed capital and was entitled to a share of profits as per the partnership deed. You may also have to prove that your father’s partner owes him money as per the audited financial statements of the firm. You may have to file a civil suit for recovery of money against your father’s partner in the court of competent jurisdiction.