A.K.PATNAIK, R.V.RAVEENDRAN, H.L.GOKHALE
Suraj Lamp & Industries Pvt. Ltd. – Appellant
Versus
State of Haryana – Respondent
The case primarily addresses the legality and validity of transactions involving Sale Agreements (SA), General Power of Attorney (GPA), and Wills concerning immovable property. It clarifies that such transactions do not constitute a transfer of interest or title in the property unless executed through a duly registered deed of conveyance. The court emphasizes that a transfer of immovable property by sale can only be effectuated through a registered sale deed, and transactions like GPA sales or SA/WILL transfers are not recognized as complete or valid transfers of property rights (!) (!) .
Furthermore, the court discusses the scope and limitations of powers of attorney, stating that they do not transfer ownership but merely authorize an agent to act on behalf of the principal, and even an irrevocable power of attorney does not transfer title (!) (!) . Similarly, a will is considered a posthumous disposition that only takes effect after the testator's death and does not transfer property inter vivos (!) (!) .
The judgment underscores that only a registered deed of conveyance can effectively transfer ownership or interest in immovable property, and any other form of transfer, including SA, GPA, or Wills, cannot be relied upon as conclusive or valid modes of transfer (!) . It also highlights the importance of registration, which provides order, security, and clarity in property transactions, and discourages under-valuation and black money generation (!) (!) .
In conclusion, the court reiterates that SA, GPA, and Wills are not substitutes for a registered sale deed and that such transactions do not convey title or create any interest in the property. The observations aim to curb illegal and non-transparent transfer practices and reinforce the legal requirement for proper registration to establish valid property rights (!) (!) (!) .
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JUDGMENT
R. V. Raveendran J. —
By an earlier order dated 15.5.2009 [reported in Suraj Lamp & Industries Pvt.Ltd. vs. State of Haryana & Anr. - 2009 (7) SCC 363], we had referred to the ill - effects of what is known as General Power of Attorney Sales (for short ‘GPA Sales’) or Sale Agreement/General Power of Attorney/Will transfers (for short ‘SA/GPA/WILL’ transfers). Both the descriptions are misnomers as there cannot be a sale by execution of a power of attorney nor can there be a transfer by execution of an agreement of sale and a power of attorney and will. As noticed in the earlier order, these kinds of transactions were evolved to avoid prohibitions/conditions regarding certain transfers, to avoid payment of stamp duty and registration charges on deeds of conveyance, to avoid payment of capital gains on transfers, to invest unaccounted money (‘black money’) and to avoid payment of ‘unearned increases’ due to Development Authorities on transfer.
2. The modus operandi in such SA/GPA/WILL transactions is for the vendor or person claiming to be the owner to receive the agreed consideration, deliver possession of the property to the purchaser and execute the following documents o
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