YOGENDRA NATH NASKAR vs COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, CALCUTTA

The Supreme Court ruled that a Hindu deity is a juristic entity capable of holding property and being taxed through its shebaits, as per Section 3 of the Income-tax Act, 1922. The Court held that the term 'individual' in the Act encompasses artificial juridical persons, including deities, thus allowing for their taxation. The assessments made against the shebaits were deemed lawful, affirming that deities can be treated as units of assessment under the Act.