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2005 Supreme(AP) 1095

Andhra Pradesh High Court
Judges : P.S.NARAYANA
Siniginieedi Hymavathi - Appellant
Versus
Nageswara Rao - Respondent
Decided On : 11-29-05

Headnote:

Indian Stamp Act 1899 – Section 36 – Possession of Property – Sale Deed – Consideration – Respondents 1 and 2, the plaintiffs in the suit filed the suit for the relief of specific performance of the contract of agreement of sale directing the appellants herein-Defendants 1 and 2 to execute sale deed in favour of the first plaintiff for schedule property in favour of the second plaintiff on receipt of the balance of sale consideration after discharging the mortgage debt due to the Muddunur Co-operative Society Limited and arrears of land revenue and also for the relief of permanent injunction and in the alternative for refund of the amount – The learned Judge decreed the suit with costs directing defendants 1 and 2 to execute separate sale deeds in favour of plaintiffs after receiving balance of sale consideration of Rs. 48,250/- from each plaintiff with interest 18% per annum 12% per annum within three months, failing which the plaintiffs are at liberty to get the sale deeds through process of Court and the relief of permanent injunction also was granted – Held, it is suffice to state that having kept quiet and having permitted the document in question to be exhibited before the trial Court without raising any little finger, this Court is of the considered opinion that for the first time before the appellate Court such objection cannot be permitted to be put forth by the appellants – Hence, this contention which was argued in elaboration by the Counsel representing the appellants especially basing on ground raised before the appellate Court cannot find favour at the hands of this court and the same is hereby rejected – Consequently, it is needless to say that all the other findings recorded by the learned judge also are hereby confirmed – It is needless to say that there is ample evidence available on record relating to the delivery of possession and for the plaintiffs being in possession of the property, not only the revenue records, the evidence also is available – Hence, this Court is not inclined to disturb the findings even in relation to the aspect of possession too and the said findings also are hereby confirmed – Appeal Dismissed

( 1 ) DEFENDANTS 1 and 2 in O. S. No. 129 of 1991 in the file of Subordinate Judge, tadepallygudem preferred the present appeal as against the decree and judgment dated 31-12-1996. Respondents 1 and 2, the plaintiffs in the suit filed the suit for the relief of specific performance of the contract of agreement of sale directing the appellants herein-Defendants 1 and 2 to execute sale deed in favour of the first plaintiff for the western side Ac. 1. 05 cents of plaint schedule property and for eastern side Ac. 1. 05 cents of plaint schedule property in favour of the second plaintiff on receipt of the balance of sale consideration after discharging the mortgage debt due to the Muddunur Co-operative Society Limited and arrears of land revenue and also for the relief of permanent injunction and in the alternative for refund of the amount. The learned Judge on the strength of the respective pleadings of the parties, having settled the issues, recorded the evidence of p. Ws. 1 to 4, D. Ws. 1 and 2 and marked ex. A1 to A27 and Ex. B1 and ultimately decreed the suit with costs directing defendants 1 and 2 to execute separate sale deeds in favour of plaintiffs after receiving balance of sale consideration of rs. 48,250/- from each plaintiff with interest @ 18% per annum from 31-5-1990 to 24-9-1991 and thereafter from 25-9-1991 to 31-12-1996 @ 12% per annum within three months, failing which the plaintiffs are at liberty to get the sale deeds through process of Court and the relief of permanent injunction also was granted. Questioning the same, Defendants 1 and 2 preferred the present appeal.

( 2 ) SRI P. Srinivas Reddy, the learned counsel representing the appellants-Defendants 1 and 2 had taken this Court through the respective pleadings of the parties and the evidence available on record and would contend that the learned Judge had not appreciated the facts and circumstances in the proper perspective and the plaintiffs had not discharged their obligations as stipulated in the terms of the contract. The learned Counsel also would submit that from the facts and circumstances, it is clear that the time is the essence of the contract and a plain reading of recitals of Ex. A1 also would amply establish the same. The learned Counsel also pointed out that even otherwise, from the facts it is clear that the plaintiffs had not been ready and willing to perform their part of the contract and the learned Judge had not made an attempt to record a clear finding in this regard. The learned Counsel also pointed out that Ex. A1 does not contain any recitals of the plaintiffs having been put into possession of the property and this crucial aspect had not been well appreciated by the learned Judge. The learned Counsel also explained the other oral and documentary evidence available on record. The learned counsel also pointed out that Ex. A5 and a6 are the letters written to third parties and hence, much importance cannot be given to such documents while deciding the aspect whether time is the essence of contract or not. The learned Counsel also pointed out to the contents of Ex. A7 and would contend that these contents would go to show that time in fact, is essence of the contract. The learned Counsel also pointed out that the obligation to discharge debt to the Muddunuru Co-operative Society, one of the terms stipulated in Ex. A. 1, also had not been complied with. The learned counsel also commented on the way in which the plaintiffs got mutations in the revenue records. Ultimately the learned counsel would conclude that in the light of the specific ground raised in ground No. 11 of the grounds of appeal, it is clear that ex. A1 is inadmissible or even otherwise, the same is liable for stamp duty and penalty and merely because an exhibit mark had been assigned by the learned Judge, when such objection was not judicially determined the same can be raised as a ground in this appeal and hence, the said objection may have to be considered by this Court.


















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