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1984 Supreme(AP) 189

Andhra Pradesh High Court
Judges : M.JAGANADHA RAO
M.John Kotaiah - Appellant
Versus
A.Divakar and Ors. - Respondent
Decided On : 04-27-84

A power of attorney that creates an interest in the proceeds of its exercise, rather than simultaneously with its creation, is revocable and not an irrevocable power of attorney.

Headnote:

IRREVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY - POWER COUPLED WITH INTEREST - REGISTRATION ACT, SECTION 17 - INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, SECTION 202 - CONSTRUCTION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY - BALANCE OF CONVENIENCE - Prima facie, a power of attorney that creates an interest in the proceeds of its exercise, rather than simultaneously with its creation, is revocable and not an irrevocable power of attorney.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner, claiming to be the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney granted by the 2nd defendant, filed a suit for an injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with his possession and management of the suit properties. The trial court appointed a receiver to manage the properties, but the appellate court allowed the defendants' appeal, holding that the power of attorney was revocable and inadmissible in evidence for want of registration under Section 17 of the Registration Act.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the power of attorney, Ex. A-1, did not prima facie satisfy the requirements of an irrevocable power of attorney under Section 202 of the Indian Contract Act. The court found that the interest created in favor of the petitioner was in the proceeds of the exercise of the power, rather than simultaneously with its creation, and therefore did not create a power coupled with interest.

Issues: 1. Whether the power of attorney, Ex. A-1, was an irrevocable power of attorney under Section 202 of the Indian Contract Act? 2. Whether the power of attorney required registration under Section 17 of the Registration Act? 3. Whether the petitioner had made out a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction or the appointment of a receiver?

Ratio Decidendi: 1. An irrevocable power of attorney requires the creation of an interest in the subject matter of the power simultaneously with the creation of the power. 2. A power of attorney that creates an interest in the proceeds of its exercise, rather than simultaneously with its creation, is revocable and not an irrevocable power of attorney. 3. The balance of convenience did not favor the grant of an injunction in favor of the petitioner, considering the significant progress made by the defendants in the construction of a multistoried complex on the property.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the civil revision petition, holding that the petitioner had not made out a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction or the appointment of a receiver. The court directed the trial court to dispose of the suit expeditiously within six months.

M. JAGANNADHA RAO, J.

( 1 ) THE main question involved in this revision is as to whether the power of attorney executed by the 2nd defendant in favour of the petitioner -plaintiff on 8-1-1977 prima facie satisfied the legal requirements for being construed as an irrevocable power of attorney.

( 2 ) THIS is a revision preferred by the plaintiff in O. S. No. 2380/82 on the file of the 3rd Assistant judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad. The suit was filed for the grant of a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with the plaintiffs possession and management of the plaint schedule properties and from demolishing item 1 of the plaint schedule. The schedule to the plaint consists of two items. Item No. 1 is a double storied building bearing No. 5-9-195 Chiragalli Lane, Hyderabad while the second item is a vacant site admeasuring 1393 square yards bearing No. 5-9-88/1 and 2 at pateh Maidan, Chapel Road, Hyderabad. Pending suit the petitioner prayed for the issue of a temporary injunction restraining the defendants respondents from interfering with the petitioners possession and management of the schedule mentioned properties and more particularly from demolishing item 1 of the plaint schedule. The trial Court instead of granting an injunction thought it fit to appoint an Advocate - Receiver to take possession of the suit properties for management by leasing out the same to tenants and depositing the rents into court. On appeal preferred by the defendants - respondents the learned appellate Judge allowed the appeal by holding that Ex. A-1 power of attorney created an interest in the immoveable property and therefore required registration under Sec. 17 of the Registration Act and was inadmissible in evidence. For coming to that conclusion the learned appellate Judge held that inasmuch as the document entitled the agent to execute lease deeds on behalf of the principal it must be taken that the document itself created an interest in the immoveable property, in favour of the petitioner-plaintiff. Having thus held the document inadmissible for purpose of Registration Act the learned appellate judge considered Sections 202 to 206 of the Indian Contract Act and came to the conclusion that the document Ex. A-1 was not an irrevocable power of attorney. In the result he held that there was no prima facie case made out by the plaintiff for the grant of an injunction or for the appointment of a receiver. The appeal was allowed. This revision is preferred against the above order of the lower appellate Court.

( 3 ) IT is contended in this revision by the learned counsel for the petitioner - plaintiff Sri G. Narayana Rao, that Ex. A-1 must prima facie be construed in law as an irrevocable power of attorney inasmuch as it is clearly recited therein that the principal cannot revoke the document for a period of ten years. It is also urged that the document created an interest in favour of the petitioner and that under S. 202 of the Indian Contract Act such an interest was sufficient to bring the document within the conditions necessary for treating it as an irrevocable power of attorney. It is also argued that the interest created by the document in favour of the agent was different from an interest in immoveable property referred to in under S. 17 of the Registration Act and that Ex. 1 does not require Registration. A power to grant lease is different from a lease itself. It is argued that the petitioner has spent a sum of Rs. 77, 000. 00 as an Agent and is also entitled to commission or remuneration under the deed and that therefore the document must be treated as an irrevocable power of attorney.

( 4 ) ON the other hand it is contended by Sri M. Narasaiah the learned counsel for the respondents that even if the document does not create an interest in immoveable property for the purpose of Sec. 17 of the Registration Act, still this document dt. 8-1-1979 does not satisfy the necessary conditions laid down by Sec. 202 of the In
























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