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2008 Supreme(P&H) 712

2008(3) LAW HERALD (P&H) 1825
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
Before
The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain
R.S.A. No. 1369 of 1993
Bhuru alias Bhura Ram
v.
Sube Singh
{Decided on 17/03/2008}

Advocates:
For the Appellant:Mr. Aman Jain, Advocate.
For the Respondents: None.

Headnote:(A) Specific performance--Agreement to sell--Bonafide purchaser--Subsequent purchasers asserts that they had no notice of such agreement--Onus is always on the transferee to prove that they had no notice of prior agreement--Mere denial would not discharge the onus--Parties belong to small place--Defendants were not bonafide purchaser--Suit of the plaintiff decreed with costs--//Specific Relief Act, 1963, Section 19(b;

       (B) Evidence Law--Specific performance--Agreement to sell--Onus--Subsequent purchaser asserts that they had no notice for such agreement--Onus casted on plaintiff to produce evidence is erroneous and unsustainable--Onus is always on the transferee to prove that they had no notice of prior agreement--Defendant admitted that he had not enquired in respect of any previous agreement findings of bonafide purchaser--Unsustainable--//Evidence Act, 1872, Section 101 to 103--Specific Relief Act,1963, Section 19(6). (Para 10)

       

JUDGMENT

Rakesh Kumar Jain, J.:-The plaintiff is in Second Appeal. Plaintiff and Defendant no.1 are real brothers entered into an Agreement to Sell dated 19-08-1982, in respect of 31 kanal 10 marlas of land, for a consideration of Rs.22,000/- per acre and received Rs.17,500/- towards earnest money. The sale deed was proposed to be executed by 10-01-1983. Just after about a month of the aforesaid Agreement, defendant No.1 clandestinely sold 13 kanals of land out of 31 kanals 10 marlas abovestated to defendants No.2 and 3, vide Sale Deed dated 14-09-1982, for a consideration of Rs.47,750/- and kept on postponing the execution of the Sale Deed in favour of plaintiff which led to the filing of the present suit for specific performance of agreement to sell dated 19-08-1982. The suit was contested by defendants No.1, 2 and 3 by filing separate written statements. Defendant no.1 denied the agreement, whereas, defendants No.2 and 3 claimed a protection of bonafide purchasers of the suit land, without notice of the agreement to sell. The plaintiff filed replication, controverting the pleas taken by the defendants and reiterated the contentions of the plaint.

2. On the respective pleading of the parties, following issues were framed on 04-10-1985 :-

1. Whether the plaintiff and defendant No.1 had entered into an agreement to sell as alleged? OPP

2. Whether the plaintiff has been always ready and willing to perform his part of obligation as alleged ? OPP

3. If issue No.1 is proved in affirmative, whether the agreement is not enforceable? OPD.

4. Whether the suit is not maintainable in the present form ? OPD.

5. Whether the suit is time barred? OPD.

6. Whether the plaintiff is estopped from filing the present suit by his own act and conduct ? OPD.

7. Whether the suit is not properly valued for purposes of court fee & jurisdiction ? If so what is the correct valuation ? OPD.

8. Whether the sale dated 14.09.1982 in favour of the defendants No.2 and 3 is valid? OPD-1.

9. Whether the suit is collusive, fraudulent and malicious and filed at the instance of defendant No.1? OPD 2-3.

10. Whether defendants No.2 and 3 are bonafide purchasers of the suit land, as alleged?OPD 2-3.

11. Whether the defendants are entitled to special costs u/s 35-A CPC? OPD.

12. Relief.

3. Both, plaintiff and defendants, led oral as well as documentary evidence. The trial Court decreed the suit of the plaintiff, holding that Agreement (exhibit P-1) has been validly executed. The plaintiff was and is still ready and willing to perform his part of contract and the agreement is enforceable in accordance with law. It was further held that defendants No.2 and 3 have not been able to prove that they are bonafide purchasers of the suit land, failed to bring on the record that they had no information or notice of the execution of the Agreement (exhibit P1). The trial Court, thus decreed the suit for specific performance in favour of the plaintiff.

4. Both, vendor Babu Ram and the subsequent vendees from him, came up in the first Appeal. The First Appellate Court found that both, plaintiff and defendant No.1, are the real brothers and co-owners in joint holding and the agreement (exhibit P-1) was found to have been executed by defendant No.1. However, on the issue of bonafide purchaser pertaining to defendants No.2 and 3, the First Appellate Court has found that once Sube Singh, transferee (DW3) has stated that he had no notice of any such agreement to Sell between Babu Ram and the plaintiff, it was for the plaintiff to prove by producing evidence that he had the knowledge. It was also observed that the time gap between the two transactions was too short that there was no chance for the vendees for gaining knowledge of the earlier agreement. On the basis of these findings, defendants No.2 and 3 were held to be bonafide purchasers. However, the First Appellate Court had found that both the plaintiff and defendant No.1 were co-owners to the extent of land measuring 186 kanals 13 ma













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