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2023 Supreme(Online)(Chh) 14352

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT
Sanjay K Agrawal, J
Geeta Bai – Appellant
Versus
Ramavtar Agrawal – Respondent
First Appeal | F.A. No.186 of 2013 | F.A.No.187/2013



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: learned counsel for the appellants
For the Respondents: Mr. B.P. Sharma and Mr. Ranbir Singh Marhas

Unilateral cancellation of a registered gift deed without mutual consent is void under the Transfer of Property Act.

Headnote:(A) Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Section 122 - Defined 'gift' and criteria for valid gift including donor, donee, subject-matter and delivery of possession. (Paras 10-12)

(B) Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Section 126 - Unilateral cancellation of a gift deed is void and non-est if not agreed upon by both parties. (Para 25)

(C) The court observed that the appellants failed to prove their defense of non-execution of gift deeds or challenge the cancellation deed, thus, upholding the lower court's decree favoring the plaintiffs. (Paras 19-20)

Facts of the case:
Appeals arose from suits filed for declaration and permanent injunction regarding ownership and usage of land gifted through registered deeds that were subsequently claimed to be cancelled unilaterally.

Findings of Court:
The appeals lacked merit as the unilateral cancellation of gift deeds had no legal standing, affirming the plaintiffs' ownership.

Issues: Whether there was a valid gift and if the unilateral cancellation of the registered gift deed was effective.

Ratio Decidendi: Valid gifts require donor's relinquishment and donee's acceptance; unilateral cancellations without due legal processes are invalid.

Result: Appeals dismissed.

Table of Content
1. both appeals involve similar issues regarding the declaration of ownership from registered gift deeds. (Para 1 , 2)
2. appellants raised defenses against the gift deeds but failed to substantiate their claims. (Para 5 , 6 , 18)
3. the essence of valid gifts includes the acceptance by the donee, and unilateral cancellations are invalid. (Para 10 , 11 , 12 , 14)
4. the court maintains the validity of the original gift deeds and dismisses the appeals. (Para 25 , 26)

1. Both the appeals are being heard together as similar facts and issues are involved except the parties to the suit. The appeals are by the defendant.

2. Facts of F.A. No.186 of 2013 (Geeta Bai v. Ramavtar Agrawal)
This is an appeal arising out of the judgment and decree dated 2nd September, 2013 by the VI Addl. District Judge, Bilaspur, in Civil Suit No.13-A of 2012. The respondent Ramavatar Agrawal filed a suit for declaration and permanent injunction against Smt. Geeta Bai. The pleadings, as made by the plaintiff are that defendant Geeta Bai is real maternal aunt (Sagi Mousi). Initially the financial position of the plaintiff was not good when he shifted from Katni to Bilaspur in 1975, therefore, out of love and affection, the defendant gifted him a part of land bearing Kh.No.450/2 admeasuring 0.44 acres situated at village Ameri and the possession thereof was handed over to him after the gift. Later on, the name of plaintiff got mutated in the records as the owner and possessor and consequently, after obtaining the property by gift, Ramavatar Agrawal got his name mutated in revenue records as possessor of the land and at the time of mutation, the gifted property was allotted Kh.No.450/3 admeasuring 0.44 acres equivalent to 0.178 hectareS.It is further pleaded that after the said gift, the land was mortgaged with State Bank of India to secure a loan availed by one Sudhir Bajpai, Proprietor of Sudhir ChemicalS.The plaintiff wanted to get the land demarcated, as such, he applied for revenue documents like B-1, Khasra Panchshala and copy of map and when he contacted to revenue Patwari on 20.06.2002, for the first time, he came to know that the land was recorded in the name of donor Smt. Geeta. It was revealed that on 30.01.1992, a cancellation deed was executed whereby the initial gift dated 15.10.1982 was cancelled. The plaintiff further pleaded that unilateral cancellation of registered gift deed could not have been effected without being informed to the plaintiff and it is a nullity and as a result she would not get any title over the property by such mutation of her name . Therefore, prayer was made that the plaintiff be declared as owner of the land and his peaceful possession and enjoyment over the property shall not be disturbed and accordingly, permanent injunction was sought.

3. Facts of F.A.No.187/2013 (Smt. Premlata Bai v. Shri Nivas Agrawal and another)
The suit was filed by plaintiff Shri Nivas Agrawal against one Premlata Bai for declaration and permanent injunction. Shri Nivas Agrawal was represented through Power of Attorney Holder Ramavtar Agrawal. Subsequently, at the appellate stage, Shri Nivas Agrawal died and his legal representatives were brought on record. It was pleaded by plaintiff Shri Nivas Agrawal that defendant Smt. Prem Lata Bai is her maternal aunt (Sagi Mausi) and since the plaintiff was not financially sound, out of love and affection a part of land bearing Kh.No. 450/1 admeasuring 0.44 acres situated at village Ameri P.H.No.95 was gifted to Shrinivas Agrawal. After obtaining the land by gift, Shrinivas Agrawal got his name mutated in revenue records as possessor of the land and at the time of mutation, the gifted property was allotted Kh.No.450/6 admeasuring 0.44 acres equivalent to 0.178 hectareS.Thereafter, the gifted land was mortgaged to secure a loan availed by Sudhir Bajaj, Proprietor of Bajaj Chemicals with the State Bank of India. When the power of attorney holder of the plaintiff wanted to get the name mutated in






















































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