Dear Colleague,
I do not think the forum can give direct answer to your question as it needs a deeper understanding on the Partnership Deed of ABC as well as Practical Knowledge on the Partnership Act 1932.
Hence it will be appropriate to consult a Practicing Lawyer on this subject earliest to go in the right direction or correct path. Based on given details ABC and XYZ are seems to be different and no connection between these to firms. Hence give due care in taking further steps and only option is to consult a Practicing Lawyer in the Filed of CIVIL LAWS.
For example the Act has specific provision for all aspects but has to be interpreted based on Facts and then to decide the Legal merits:
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The Partnership Act, 1932 Section32 RETIREMENT OF A PARTNER.
(1) A partner may retire -
(a) with the consent of all the otter partners,
(b) in accordance with an express agreement by the partners, or
(c) where the partnership is at will, by giving notice in writing to all the other partners of his intention to retire.
(2) A retiring partner may be discharged from any liability to any third party for acts of the firm done before his retirement by an agreement made by him with such third party and the partners of the reconstituted firm, and such agreement may be implied by a course of dealing between such third party and the reconstituted firm after he had knowledge of the retirement.
(3) Notwithstanding the retirement of a partner from a firm, he and the partners continue to be liable as partners to third parties for any act done by any of them which would have been an act of the firm if done before the retirement, until public notice is given of the retirement
Provided that a retired partner is not liable to any third party who deals with the firm without knowing that he was a party.
(4) Notices under sub-section (3) may be given by the retired partner or by any partner of the reconstituted firm.
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Hence give due care in taking further steps and only option is to consult a Practicing Lawyer in the Filed of CIVIL LAWS. This needs to be done by you earliest and based on Lawyers' advice only you can decide further. Take Care.