2007 Supreme(Kar) 226
Karnataka High Court
BHASKER S.KATIEMAR - Appellant
Versus
P.E.HAMEED - Respondent
Decided On : 03-30-07
Regular First Appeal No. 714 of 2000
Sri Sanath Kumar Shetty K,Sri G. Balakrishna Shastry,R. Gururajan
Headnote:Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Sections 73 & 74 - Agreement of sale - Signature disputed - Receipt of advance money denied - Forgery alleged - Trial court decreed suit for refund of money taking signature as genuine - Held, if documents are forged, party can take appropriate proceedings - Decree cannot be disturbed. [R. Gururajan and C.R. Kumaraswamy, JJ]: It is no doubt true that in the case on handwritng expert was examined. That by itself would not be a ground not be believe the documents in the case on hand. In fact, learned Trial Judge has noticed this aspect of the matter and observed that though it may be desirable to get the evidednce of handwriting expert, there is no legal bar to the Court to consider the documents for the purpose of acceptance or otherwise of the said document. Learned Trial Judge in the circumsances and in the light of the evidence has noticed the signature of the defendant. Learned Trial Judge, after noticing the signature, has come to a right conclusion that the documents in question are acceptable in the case on hand. In fact, at this stage, we must notice various allegations made by the defendant-appellant with regard to the documents. The allegation of rank forgery, collusion in knocking off the property, etc., are made in the writtenstatement. But, surprisignly no proceedings were initiated at any point of time as against the plaintiff either before or after filing of the suit. Learned Trial Judge noticing the conduct of the defendant has rightly ruled against the defendant in paragraph 38 of the judgment in question. We cannot but notice that the defendant is a practising Lawyer. If there is really and forgery, he would have certainly taken action against the plaintiff. Non-taking of any action by the defendant in the case of hand would go to against the defence placed by the defendant-appellant. Learned Trial Judge, in our view, is right in this regard in decreeing the suit.
Referred: AIR 1979 SC 14: (1979)2 SCC 158: 1979 Cri.L.J.17(SC); AIR 1998 Cal. 31; AIR 1995 Ori. 131; AIR 1993 SC 1245: (1993)1 SCC 572; AIR 1959 Bom 468; 1981 (2) kar. L.J.3; AIR 1989 SC 1834:1989 Supp.(1) 487; AIR 1983 Cal.6; AIR 1949 Cal.128.
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 - Section 73 and 45 - Dispute as to signature - Agreement of sale - Signature disputed - Receipt of advance money demied - Forgery alleged - Trial court decreed suit for refund of money taking signature as genuine - Can decree be interfered, with. See, Indian Contract Act, 1872 - Section 73 and 74.
Cases Referred: AIR 1979 SC 14: (1979)2 SCC 158: 1979 Cri.L.J.17(SC); AIR 1998 Cal. 31; AIR 1995 Ori. 131; AIR 1993 SC 1245: (1993)1 SCC 572; AIR 1959 Bom 468; 1981 (2) kar. L.J.3; AIR 1989 SC 1834:1989 Supp.(1) 487; AIR 1983 Cal.6; AIR 1949 Cal.128.
This appeal is filed by the defendant, Bhasker S. Kattemar challenging the judgment and decree dated 28-2-2000 passed in Original Suit No. 521 of 1988 on the file of the First Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division), Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada. The facts narrated in the appeal memo are as under.
2. Rank of the parties in this appeal are referred to as per the ranking before the Trial Court. Respondent-plaintiff filed a suit for refund of advance purchase price and for damages. According to the plaint averments, defendant is the owner of the suit schedule property. It is a commercial plot. Defendant sought for eviction of his tenant in H.R.C. No. 93 of 1976 on the file of the Munsiff, Mangalore. He was in urgent financial need, and thus he was intending to sell and dispose of the suit properties. Defendant-appellant approached the plaintiff and by mutual agreement, defendant-appellant agreed to sell the suit property for Rs. 10,83,000/-. Defendant entered into an agreement in this behalf with the plaintiff on 17-5-1983. Plaintiff paid an advance of Rs. 2,00,000/- on the date of agreement. Separate receipt was passed by the defendant in that regard, apart from mentioning the same in the agreement of sale itself. As per the said agreement, defendant had to execute a sale deed within two years and deliver actual possession of the property on the date of sale deed. Parties thought that the eviction proceedings would be finalised within two years. Delivery of actual possession of the property on the date of the sale deed was a condition precedent. In the event of the plaintiff securing actual possession on negotiation with the tenant who is in possession, lesser consideration amount was to be paid. An option was provided to extend time to the plaintiff to take the sale deed or to seek specific performance by one more year. If the defendant is unable to give vacant possession, plaintiff may at his option treat the agreement as repudiated and cancelled, in which event defendant should refund advance amount of Rs. 2 lakhs with interest at 18 per cent from the date of agreement.
3. Defendant succeeded in the eviction proceedings. Plaintiff was ready and willing to do his part of performance in terms of the agreement and take the sale deed by paying the balance consideration amount. This was made known to the defendant also. Plaintiff waited for due performance of the agreement by the defendant. Plaintiff has exercised his option for one more year. Defendant did not execute the sale deed. Defendant did not get possession of the property of the tenant after disposal of the eviction proceedings. Plaintiff issued a legal notice dated 3-5-1986 seeking for specific performance of the agreement. There were exchange of notices. Thereafter, plaintiff came to know that even prior to entering into the agreement of sale with the plaintiff, defendant had entered into an agreement of sale with another person, which was subsequently cancelled by mutual consent. Subsequent to the agreement of sale with the plaintiff, defendant had entered into an agreement to sell the suit property to one Mrs. Alwyn Veigas by receiving an advance consideration of Rs. 4,41,000/- by cheque, suppressing the agreement with the plaintiff Plaintiff in these circumstances sought for refund of the advance amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- with interest thereon at 18 per cent from the date of agreement till realisation. Plaintiff also sought for damages by reason of breach committed by the defendant and estimated it at Rs. 2 lakhs. However, he restricted the claim to Rs. 1,00,000/- as pre-estimated damages arising out of breach of contract.
4. On receipt of notice, defendant filed a written statement denying execution of agreement. He states that he never agreed to sell the suit property. Property is situated in a prominent locality of Mangalore city. Defendant wanted to run a hotel business. He filed an eviction petition. He had no intention to sell the property as he needs t