2007(3) ALL MR 265
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
D. B. BHOSALE, J.
Raghunath Fulaji Jadhav & Anr. - Appellants.
Vs.
Rajendra Dinkarrao Patil & Ors. - Respondents.
Second Appeal Nos.250 of 1991
Decided on 2nd February, 2007.
Advocates Appeared
NITIN JAMDAR, for Appellants.
Mrs. A. R. S. BAXI, for Respondents.
Specific Relief Act, 1963 - Section 20(b)(a) - Suit for specific performance - Power of Court - Discretionary - Statutory guidelines incorporated in Section 20(b)(a) of Act - Court not bound to grant specific performance merely because it is lawful to do so - Motive behind litigation should enter into judicial verdict - No unfair advantage to be given to plaintiff. - While dealing with a case for specific performance of the agreement, the Court should examine whether by reference to Section 20 of the Specific Relief Act, that was fit case for exercising discretion to decree specific performance or not. The statutory guidelines incorporated in Section 20 should be in the forefront of the mind of the Court. All facts and circumstances should be meticulously considered, keeping in view that the Court is not bound to grant specific performance merely because it is lawful to do so. The motive behind the litigation should also enter into judicial verdict. The Court should take care to see that it is not used as an instrument of oppression or give an unfair advantage to the plaintiff.
2. Brief facts, encompassing the details, which lead to the filing of this appeal, are as follows: The dispute is regarding land Gat No.132 situate at Mouje Bhalvani, TalukaKamala, District-Solapur admeasuring 3 Hector, 43 Ares (for short, "suit property"). The suit property is admittedly the ancestral property of deceased Bhimrao Krishnaji Kulkarni. Bhimrao sold the suit property by an agreement dated 12th December, 1967 to respondent No.1 for a total consideration of Rs.2,500/-. The consideration was paid by respondent No.1 in the form of earnest money of Rs.150/- and two subsequent instalments of Rs.1,850/- paid on 30th September, 1968 and Rs.500/- paid on 5th November, 1969. It was agreed by both the parties that the sale deed would be executed within six months of the deceased - Bhimrao obtaining permission from the Competent Authority under the Bombay Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1950 (for short, "the Act"). Bhimrao died on 10th October, 1979 and till then no permission was obtained from the Competent Authority. Defendant Nos.l to 5, who are the heirs of Bhimrao, refused to perform their part of the contract and issued notice dated 23rd October, 1980. Defendant Nos.1 to 3 subsequently sold the suit property to defendant Nos.6 and 7, that is, present appellants, for a consideration of Rs.16,000/- by registered sale deed dated 4-7-1981. In the meanwhile, respondent No.1 filed a Civil Suit No.55 of 1981 for specific performance against the heirs of Bhimrao, that is, defendant Nos.1 to 5 and the appellants. The trial Court dismissed the suit vide its judgment and order dated 30-61984 and the appeal filed by the respondent-plaintiff was allowed vide judgment and order dated 2-2-1991, hence this appeal by defendant Nos.6 and 7.
3. The reference will have to be made to the suit filed by the heirs of Bhimrao, that is, defendant Nos.1 to 5 bearing Suit No.160 of 1980. This suit was filed for injunction simplicitor. The trial Court had granted temporary injunction in favour of the heirs of Bhimrao. The plaintiff claim that by virtue of the temporary injunction granted in the said suit the heirs of Bhimrao, namely, Nishikant and Bha1chandra dispossessed the plaintiff. Subsequently, the injunction was vacated. The suit was not prosecuted further. However, the possession was not restored. Thereafter on 4-4-1981 the plaintiff, instituted the present suit. After filing of the suit on 4-41981, defendant Nos.1 to 3 executed the sale deed in favour of defendant Nos.6 and 7 and, therefore, they were added as party defendants in the suit. They were put in possession of the suit property by the defendant Nos.1 to 5. The plaintiff, therefore, prayed for possession of the suit property. Defendant Nos.6 and 7 claim that they purchased the suit property from defendant Nos.1 to 3 for Rs.16,000/- and that they are bona fide purchasers for value without notice,
4. Mr. Jamdar, learned Counsel for the appellants confined his arguments mainly on two points. Firstly, whether the suit is within limitation, and secondly, whether the jurisdiction as contemplated under section 20 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 has been exercised by the Appellate Court properly. He submitted that the present case is covered by the first part of Article 54 of the Limitation Act, 1963 and not the second part thereof as held by the Appellate Court. In support of this submission he invited my attention to the fact that the necessity of obtaining permission of authority under the provisions of the Act was done away with and, therefore, the date for performance of the agreement became ascertainable, that is, six months from the date of am
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