IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
RMT. TEEKAA RAMAN, J.
Premraja - Appellant
Versus
Jayalakshmi - Respondent
A.S. Nos. 295, 296, 299 of 2011, M.P. No. 1 of 2011
Decided On : 31-07-2024
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. overview of case and background (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 2. details of the suits and parties involved (Para 6 , 10 , 11) |
| 3. arguments based on the agreements and transactions (Para 17 , 19 , 20) |
| 4. the validity of agreements can hinge on proper documentation and their compliance with statutory regulations. (Para 21 , 28) |
| 5. examination of the validity and issues around the sale agreement (Para 27 , 33 , 35) |
| 6. limitations and evidence of possession are crucial in property litigation. (Para 30 , 40) |
JUDGMENT :
RMT. TEEKAA RAMAN, J.
1. A.S.Nos.295 & 299 of 2011 have been filed challenging the judgment and decree made in O.S.No.127 of 2008 (originally numbered as O.S No.942 of 2005 on the file of III Additional District Munsif, Puducherry) dated 07.01.2011 on the file of III Additional District Judge, Pondicherry.
2. A.S.No.296 of 2011 has been filed against the judgment and decree made in O.S.No.36 of 2007 dated 07.01.2011 on the file of III Additional District Judge, Pondicherry.
3. For the sake of convenience, parties are referred to as per their ranking in O.S.No.127 of 2008, wherein Jayalakshmi is the plaintiff and Premraja is the defendant.
4. The plaintiff Jayalakshmi originally filed suit in O.S.No.942 of 2005 before the III Additional District Munsif, Puducherry. In the said suit, written statement was filed and issues were framed. In pursuant to the administrative order in TOP No.88 of 2007, the said suit was transferred to III Additional District Judge, Puducherry and renumbered as O.S.No.127 of 2008.
5. This suit in O.S.No.127 of 2008 was filed by the plaintiff Jayalakshmi for specific performance of the suit sale agreement dated 18.11.1987. When the suit was in progress, it appears that the defendant Premraja has filed suit in O.S.No.36 of 2007 before the III Additional District Judge, Puducherry for the relief of declaration of title and for recovery of possession, free from superstructures if any. Both the cases were tried separately by the III Additional District Judge and evidence has been separately recorded and exhibits were also marked separately. However, after hearing the arguments, the learned Judge has thought fit to deliver a common judgment since the facts are interdependent with each other.
6. The short facts that are required for determination of all the three appeals are as under -
6(a) The suit property is Plot No.17 in Anna Nagar extension is measuring 40 feet x 60 feet. Alleged agreement of sale is dated 18.11.1987. In the plaint in O.S.No.127 of 2008, it is specifically pleaded by the plaintiff that on behalf of the plaintiff, her sister Kanagavalli signed the document under which defendant's father agreed to sell the plot for Rs.59,500/- and defendant's father has also received a sum of Rs.12,000/- on 18.11.1987. Originally, the father of the defendant had agreed to sell Plot No.17 to another party. Therefore, he offered to sell Plot No.19 to the plaintiff which is having lesser extent i.e. 35 feet x 60 feet and made a correction in the sale agreement and plaintiff husband's younger brother Poovendralingam signed as a witness in the said agreement agreeing to execute the sale agreement and receive the balance of sale consideration of Rs.47,500/-.
6(b) The plaint further proceeds on the basis that she was delivered possession and enjoyment of Plot No.19 and she is in enjoyment of the property since the date of agreement dated 18.11.1987 and she raised a thatched hut. The plaintiff was not having worry about the registration since the defendant's father had a problem under the Urban Land Ceiling Act and further, payment of Rs.8,000/- on 02.03.1996 and Rs.10,000/- on 02.03.1998 was alleged to have been received by the father of the defendant. After the death of the father, the plaintiff made claims to the present defendant who is the sole legal heir. Originally he promised to execute the sale deed, however failed to do it and attempted to interfere with the possession resulting in police complai
The court found the specific performance suit invalid due to the sale agreement being deemed fabricated, emphasizing that such claims cannot coexist with adverse possession expectations.
(1) Agreement to sell – Specific performance will not be ordered if contract itself suffers from some defect which makes contract invalid or unenforceable – Discretion of court will not be there even....
A plaintiff seeking specific performance must demonstrate continuous readiness and willingness to complete contract obligations, failing which relief may be denied.
Court emphasized that once agreements are executed and earnest money paid, specific performance can be enforced unless clear evidence of coercion or duress is presented.
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