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2024 Supreme(Telangana) 1132

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
M.G. PRIYADARSINI, J.
 
Revu Srisailam (Died per LRs.) and others – Petitioners 
Versus
Mohd. Moinuddin and others – Respondents 
SA No.162 of 2003
Decided On : 21-06-2024
 

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioners: Aadesh Varma.
For the Respondents: Ch. Venkat Raman.

Natural guardians cannot alienate minor's property without proving it benefits the minor; plaintiff failed to prove the agreement's binding nature, leading to dismissal of appeal.

Headnote:(A) Specific Relief Act, 1963 - Sections 10 and 14 - Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Section 100 - Second appeal for specific performance of agreement of sale - Plaintiff failed to establish the validity and binding nature of the agreement due to lack of proof that alienation was for the welfare of minor defendants. (Paras 5, 8, 10, 11, 18)

(B) Natural Guardians - Rights of natural guardians under Mohammedan Law regarding alienation of minor's property - A natural guardian can alienate property of minors only if it is for their benefit. (Paras 8, 9, 10)

(C) Legal burden - Burden of proof lies on plaintiff to show readiness and willingness to act on the contract which was not discharged. (Paras 8, 10, 11)

Facts of the case:
The plaintiff sought specific performance based on an agreement with defendants who were minors represented by their father. Allegations included non-execution of the agreement and invalid claims to an eviction response.

Findings of Court:
The courts upheld that the plaintiff did not prove that the agreement was for the benefit of the minors, hence it was not enforceable against them.

Issues: Whether the natural guardian can alienate minor's property; whether plaintiff was entitled to specific performance; and whether the plaintiff met the burden of proof regarding readiness to comply.

Ratio Decidendi: The Court found that the agreement was not executed for the benefit of the minors, and that the plaintiff failed to prove readiness and willingness to proceed with the contract.

Result: Second appeal dismissed with no order as to costs.

JUDGMENT :

M.G. PRIYADARSINI, J.

This Second Appeal is filed by the plaintiff challenging the judgment and decree dated 21.10.2002 passed in A.S.No.461 of 2000 on the file of the learned IX Additional Chief Judge, City Civil Court, Hyderabad, confirming the judgment and decree dated 30.08.2000 passed in O.S.No.115 of 1989 on the file of the learned I Senior Civil Judge, City Civil Court at Hyderabad. Thus, the present Second Appeal is filed against the concurrent findings of trial Court as well as first Appellate Court.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties hereinafter are referred to as they are arrayed before the trial Court.

3. The brief facts of the case, which necessitated the appellant/plaintiff to file the present appeal, are as follows:

a) The plaintiff filed O.S.No.115 of 1989 against defendant Nos.1 to 6 for specific performance of agreement of sale. The brief averments of the plaint are that the plaintiff entered into an agreement of sale with defendants in respect of suit schedule property on 16.05.1980 for consideration of Rs.9,000/- and paid Rs.3,000/- as advance. Though the plaintiff was ready and willing to perform his part of contract by paying remaining consideration, the defendants were dragging the matter, as such, the plaintiff got issued legal notice on 21.09.1981 to which the defendants requested for time. On 13.08.1983 the defendants received Rs.500/- as further earnest money and as the property was offered for sale was for the benefit and welfare of the minor’s interest. On 19.11.1986 due to mediation, defendants agreed to sell the property on enhanced sale consideration of Rs.40,000/- and received Rs.1,000/- by 10.02.1987. As the defendants failed to execute sale deed, the plaintiff got issued legal notice dated 10.02.1987 to executed the sale deed in pursuance of second agreement, dated 19.01.19865 but there was no response. The defendants in all received Rs.11,900/- as part consideration despite written undertaking to withdraw the eviction petition by playing fraud. Defendants got exparte eviction orders and executed terms on 16.12.1987 and got issued legal notice dated 22.11.1987 but they replied it denying to execute sale deed blaming the defendant No.6. Hence, the suit.

b) In reply to the plaint averments, the defendant Nos.1 to 3 filed written statement, which was adopted by defendant No.4. The brief averments of the written statement filed by the defendant Nos.1 to 3 is that they denied execution of agreement of sale dated 16.05.1980 and so also second agreement dated 19.01.1986 and receipt of Rs.11,900/- as part of sale consideration. The alleged sale transaction was not meant for benefit and well being of the minors. The entire suit schedule property is absolute property of defendant Nos.1 to 5, who never entered into any contract or agreement with the plaintiff, much less under the alleged agreements. The agreements if any entered with defendant No.6 is not binding on defendant Nos.1 tio 5, who are minors as on the date of alleged agreement dated 16.05.1980. Defendant No.6 has no right or interest over the property and that he is not entitle to minors’ property though he is their father. Defendant No.6 addicted to bad vices leading a wayward life. The alleged agreement dated 16.05.1980 was brought into existence in collusion with defendant No.6. The plaintiff was the tenant of the suit schedule property paying rent of Rs.200/- per month and committed default in payment of rents. Hence, defendant Nos.1 to 5 filed R.C.No.474/1987 and obtained eviction orders and got evicted the plaintiff through process of law and since then defendant Nos.1 to 5 holding the suit schedule property in their own right.

Hence, the defendants prayed to dismiss the suit.

c) Based on the pleadings of both sides, the trial Court framed the following issues:

1) Whether the plaintiff is entitled for the specific performance of the suit agreement of sale and for delivery of possession?

2) To What relief?

d) During the court o

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