Sri.L.C.Krishnaiah vs Sri.Krishna Joshi on 25 July, 2025

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Karnataka High Court

Sri.L.C.Krishnaiah vs Sri.Krishna Joshi on 25 July, 2025

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                        IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
                              DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF JULY, 2025
                                                 BEFORE
                                                                                  R
                          THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL
                             WRIT PETITION NO.54203/2017 (GM-CPC)


                   BETWEEN:

                        SRI. L.C. KRISHNAIAH
                        SINCE DEAD BY HIS LRS.

                   1.   SMT. N. SUMANGALA
                        W/O LATE L.C. KRISHNAIAH
Digitally signed        AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS.
by RUPA V
Location: High     2.   SRI. K.V. GOPAL
Court of                W/O LATE L.C. KRISHNAIAH
karnataka               AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS.

                   3.   SRI. K.C.B. GOWDA
                        S/O LATE L.C. KRISHNAIAH
                        AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS.

                        ALL ARE R/AT MANTANAKURCHI VILLAGE
                        KASABA HOBLI, NELAMANGALA TALUK
                        BNAGALORE RURAL DISTRICT-562130.

                                                                  ...PETITIONERS
                   (BY SRI. T. SESHAGIRI RAO, ADV.,)


                   AND:

                   1.   SRI. KRISHNA JOSHI
                        S/O LATE NARAYANA JOSHI
                        AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS
                        RESIDING AT D.NO.84/B
                        "SRIVATHSA", 2ND MAIN ROAD
                        GKW LAYOUT, BENGALURU-560040.

                   2.   SMT. SUCHETHA RAJANNA
                        D/O L.C. KRISHNAIAH
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     AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS
     R/AT. SAMRUDDHI NILAYA
     FARM HOUSE, BYRAPURA ROAD
     KAKOLU, KAKOLU POST
     HESARAGHATTA HOBLI
     YELAHANKA, BENGALURU-560089.

3.   SMT. DEVIKA .K
     D/O L.C. KRISHNAIAH
     AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS
     R/AT. NO.76, 2ND 'A' CROSS
     DEFENCE COLONY
     NAGASANDRA POST, BAGALA GUNTE
     BENGALURU-560073.

4.   SMT. KASTURI .K
     D/O L.C. KRISHNAIAH
     AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS
     R/AT. NO.36, SHIVA KRUPA
     6TH MAIN, 7TH CROSS
     MALLESWARAM, BENGALURU-560003.

                                                      ...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. RAMACHANDRA G. BHAT, ADV.,)


      THIS   W.P.    IS   FILED    UNDER    ARTICLE       227   OF     THE
CONSTITUTION    OF    INDIA,      PRAYING   TO    ISSUE    A    WRIT   OF
CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER WRIT OR ORDER FOR QUASHING THE
ORDER DATED 31.8.2017 ONE PASSED BY THE II ADDL. SR.CIVIL
JUDGE, BANGALORE RURAL DISTRICT ON AN APPLICATION FILED BY
THE PETITIONERS HEREIN UNDER SEC. 28(1) OF THE SPECIFIC
RELIEF ACT IN O.S.259/2001 ON THE FILE OF ITS COURT FOUND AT
ANNEX-X TO THE WRIT PETITION AND FURTHER PASS APPROPRIATE
ORDER TO ALLOW THE SAID APPLICATION & ETC.


      THIS PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED ON
23.07.2025, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT OF ORDER, THIS
DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:
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CORAM:     HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL

                           CAV ORDER

     This writ petition is filed challenging the order dated

31.08.2017 passed by the II Additional Senior Civil Judge,

Bengaluru, on an application filed under Section 28(1) of the

Specific Relief Act, 1963, in O.S.No.259/2001.


      2.    Heard.


      3.    Sri.T.Seshagiri   Rao,   learned    counsel   for   the

petitioners makes the following submissions:

      (1) The respondent-plaintiff filed a suit for specific

performance of the agreements of sale dated 28.03.1999 and

27.11.2000. The petitioner-defendant conceded the prayer for

passing of the decree. The defendant filed a memo to decree

the suit by directing the plaintiff to get the sale deed executed

within thirty days by paying the balance sale consideration.

The suit came to be decreed conditionally by directing the

defendant to execute the registered sale deed in respect of the

suit schedule property after receiving the balance amount of

sale consideration as per the agreements within two months

from the date of decree.
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      (2) The plaintiff could not come forward to pay the

balance sale consideration as per the decree and did not get

the sale deed registered. The defendant issued a legal notice

on 02.09.2004 calling upon the plaintiff to perform his

obligation as per the decree.    The plaintiff sent an untenable

reply stating that within two months of getting the copy of the

decree he would get the sale deed executed.       The defendant

sent another notice on 04.11.2004 stating that the plaintiff,

with a sole intention to go behind the agreements and also the

terms of the decree, issued the reply notice and the defendant

is not liable to execute the sale deed since the plaintiff inspite

of the specific offer did not complete the sale transaction within

the stipulated time and the defendant is at liberty to deal with

the property in favour of anyone of his choice.      The plaintiff

sent a reply to the said notice with untenable grounds and sent

a notice dated 20.01.2005 stating that the arm twisting

activities and threat of deploying muscle power, etc. would not

work to the advantage of the defendant.

      (3)   The plaintiff filed an execution petition in Ex. case

No.17/2005 along with an affidavit of the plaintiff narrating

incorrect facts.   It is submitted that the defendant filed
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objections to the execution petition on 15.09.2005 stating that

the decree being a conditional one and due to non-performance

of the condition by the plaintiff-decree holder, the decree is not

executable.   The Trial Court, vide order dated 11.03.2010

rejected the objections of the petitioners-judgment debtors.

The petitioners filed a miscellaneous appeal challenging the

order dated 11.03.2010.     It is further submitted that in the

interregnum, considering the observations of the Trial Court,

the petitioners filed an application under Section 28(1) of the

Act, seeking to rescind the judgment and decree dated

25.08.2004 in O.S.No.259/2001.       The Trial Court, under the

impugned order rejected the said application.          It is also

submitted that in the interregnum, the plaintiff-decree holder

without seeking any extension of time, filed a memo to deposit

the balance sale consideration before the Executing Court. The

Executing Court accepted the said memo.

      (4) It is contended that the plaintiff ought to have paid

the balance sale consideration within the time stipulated in the

decree and ought to have got the sale deed executed.           He

deposited the sum before the Executing Court after a period of

one year eight months.      The defendant sent first notice on
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02.09.2004 and within a period of two months from the said

date, the plaintiff ought to have paid the balance sale

consideration and got the sale deed executed. The plaintiff has

indulged in untenable replies to the notice and deposited some

amounts in the Execution Court and the said amount is not the

entire balance of sale consideration.     It is further contended

that till date, the plaintiff has not filed any application seeking

for extension of time in the suit and any deposit made suo

motu in the execution proceedings does not amount to

extension of time in the decree.

      (5)    It is also contended that the decree drawn by the

Court is based on the compromise and the decree is a

conditional one and based on the judgment which was available

with the plaintiff, he ought to have come forward and deposited

the balance sale consideration. However, an untenable stand is

taken that only the decree was drawn, he would pay the

balance sale consideration. It is submitted that the decree in

the suit came to be drawn on 24.09.2004 and even from that

date the respondent ought to have paid the balance sale

consideration within two months.        However, he suo motu

deposits the same in the execution proceedings that too when
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the defendant has objected to the execution proceedings on the

ground that the conditional decree is not enforceable.

      (6)   It is further submitted that the objections filed by

the   defendant in the execution proceedings amounts to

rescission of contract for sale as provided under Section 28(1)

of the Act.     It is also submitted that if the decree is a

conditional one, the Court cannot extend the time at the

request of the decree holder, however it can rescind the

contract at the request of the judgment debtor if the conditions

are not fulfilled.   In this case, the respondent-decree holder

had not filed any application seeking for extension of time and

unless extension is sought and granted, there cannot be any

sanctity for the deposit made by the respondent-decree holder

in the Execution Court.    It is contended that the Trial Court,

under the impugned order rejected the application of the

defendant mainly on the ground that the application is filed

beyond the period of limitation. It is further contended that no

time is stipulated in Section 28 of the Act for rescission for sale

of immovable property. It is also contended that the decree in

question is only a preliminary decree and the proceedings

would come to an end only after the execution of the sale deed
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and delivery of possession in favour of the purchaser is

completed and from that date, the limitation is required to be

considered.         However, the Trial Court, under the impugned

order applied Article 59 of the Limitation Act, 1963, and held

that the application is filed beyond a period of three years.            In

support of his contentions, he has placed reliance on the

following judgments:

         1. RADHEY SHYAM & ORS. Vs. HARENDRA PAL RATHI1
         2. BAKHTAWAR SINGH Vs. MST. INDER KAUR2
         3. PREM JEEVAN Vs. K.S. VENKATA RAMAN & ANR.3
         4. LAJPAT RAI MEHTA Vs. SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF
         PUNJAB, DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION AND POWER,
         CHANDIGARH4


         4.     Per        contra,   Sri.Ramachandra   G.   Bhat,   learned

counsel for the respondent-plaintiff supports the impugned

order of the Execution Court and submits that the judgment is

dated 25.08.2004 and on the said day, the defendant was not

alive as he died on 19.08.2004 and as per the agreement of

sale dated 28.03.1999, the extent is shown as 3 acres 34

guntas. However, there was a dispute with regard to 19 guntas


1
  AIR 2015 ALL 180
2
  (2014) 1 RLW 544 (Raj)
3
  (2017) 11 SCC 57
4
  (2009) 3 SCC 260
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and a request was made to conduct the survey but no survey

was carried out. Hence, it was not known as to what was the

extent of land available for execution of sale deed free from

dispute and such information was not provided in the notices

issued by the defendant to the plaintiff.    Hence, the plaintiff

was waiting for the dispute relating to 19 guntas of land to be

resolved and survey to be carried out. However, the defendant

could not complete the survey work and only in the year 2011,

the survey was completed. Hence, there cannot be any default

on the part of the plaintiff in not paying the balance sale

consideration and not getting the sale deed executed.       It is

submitted that the plaintiff has sought permission to deposit

the balance sale consideration in the Execution Court which was

allowed and thereafter, the plaintiff deposited the balance

amount to the extent of 3 acres 15 guntas only, as the title in

respect of 19 guntas was in dispute.    It is further submitted

that the defendant did not come forward within 60 days to

execute the sale deed as no survey was conducted and the

initial burden is on the defendant that the property was ready

for execution of sale deed and the same was not discharged.

Hence, the question of plaintiff seeking any extension of time
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would not arise.       It is also submitted that the condition

stipulated in the decree is that the execution of the sale deed is

as per the agreements of sale and until the dispute is resolved

with regard to the extent referred in the agreements of sale,

the time stipulated in the decree would not run against the

plaintiff.   It is contended that till the notice was issued, the

plaintiff was not aware as to who were the legal heirs of the

defendant and who would execute the sale deed. Hence, it was

difficult for him to make the payment to the legal heirs and to

what extent and the petitioners have not produced the

particulars of the legal heirs or the succession certificate to the

respondent-plaintiff and if they would have produced the same,

the plaintiff would have taken steps to pay the balance amount

and would have sought for registration of the sale deed. Due

to the delay of the petitioners, the respondent-plaintiff cannot

be held liable for not complying the conditions of the decree. It

is further contended that the respondent-plaintiff filed a memo

seeking permission to deposit the amount and the said memo is

not opposed by the petitioners and the order passed on such

memo has attained finality.       It is also contended that after

deposit of the amount, the petitioners filed an application for
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rescission, beyond the period of limitation, which has been

rightly rejected by the Trial Court. It is submitted that till the

application for rescission of contract is filed, the decree in

question was enforceable and it was a valid decree and the

respondent has deposited the balance amount before the

Execution Court before the application for rescission of the

contract. The rescission application was filed by the petitioners

only after the respondent deposited the amount and the same

was accepted by the Execution Court. In view of the same, the

application for rescission was not maintainable.     It is further

submitted that the application for rescission ought to have been

filed before filing of the memo by the respondents and before

any amount is deposited before the Execution Court.            In

support of his contentions, he placed reliance on the following

decisions:

         1. RAMANKUTTY GUPTAN VS, AVARA5
         2. SARDAR MOHAR SINGH VS. MANGILAL @ MANGTYA6
         3. CHITHAMBARAN PONNAPPAN VS. VISWAMBARAN
         AND ANR.7
         4. KUMAR DHIRENDRA MULLICK AND ORS. VS. TIVOLI
         PARK APARTMENTS (P) LTD.8

5
  (1994) 2 SCC 642
6
  (1997) 9 SCC 217
7
  AIR 2001 KERALA 205
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         5. S.K.GUPTA AND ORS. Vs. KULDIP SINGH AND ORS.9
         6. ASHOK K KHURANA Vs. M/s. STEELMAN INDUSTRIES
         AND ANR.10


         5.    I have heard the arguments of the learned counsel

for the petitioners, learned counsel for the respondent and

perused the material available on record. I have given my

anxious consideration to the submissions advanced on both the

sides.


         6.    The parties are referred to as per their rankings in

the suit.     The respondent is the plaintiff and the petitioner is

the defendant.



         7.    The pleading and material on record indicate that

the plaintiff filed O.S.No.259/2001 for the relief of specific

performance of the agreements of sale dated 28.03.1999 and

27.11.2000.             The subject matter of the suit was a land

measuring 3 acres 34 guntas in Sy.No.170 of Mantanakurchi

Village, Kasaba Hobli, Nelamangala Taluk, Bangalore Rural

District or 3 acres 15 guntas of the same land. The defendant


8
  (2005) 9 SCC 262
9
  AIR 2011 DELHI 54
10
   AIR 2000 DELHI 336
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filed a written statement. The prayer in the written statement

reads as under:

         "Wherefore, the defendant humbly prays that this
         Hon'ble Court be pleased to dismiss the suit one
         presented by the plaintiff with exemplary cost in case
         the plaintiff failed to purchase the property within
         thirty days from the date of placing written statement
         on record........"


     8.      The defendant also filed a memo dated 16.07.2004

which indicates that as on the date of the memo, survey

dispute as alleged in the plaint was settled and there was no

legal impediment for the plaintiff to get the sale deed executed

and a direction was sought to the plaintiff to get the sale deed

executed within 30 days from the date of placing the memo on

record, otherwise the defendant would forfeit the advance

amount received from the plaintiff under the agreement of sale.


     9.      The Trial Court considered the written statement as

well as the memo and passed the judgment on 25.08.2004

which reads as under:

     "Suit of the plaintiff is decreed. The defendant shall
     execute the registered sale deed in respect of the suit
     property     after   receiving   balance   amount   of   sale
     consideration payable to the defendant as per the terms
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      of the agreement. The sale deed shall be executed and
      registered by both the parties within two months from the
      date of the decree. In case if the defendants fail to
      execute the registered sale deed within that period, the
      plaintiff is at liberty to apply to the Court and get
      appointed   a   court   commissioner   for    execution   and
      registration of the sale deed after depositing balance
      amount of sale consideration."


      10.   The aforesaid judgment indicates that the suit of

the plaintiff was decreed, the defendant was directed to

execute the registered sale deed after receiving the balance

amount of the sale consideration as per the terms of agreement

within two months from the date of decree.             In case, if the

defendant failed to execute the registered sale deed, the

plaintiff has liberty to apply to the Court and get the sale deed

executed after depositing the balance sale consideration.


      11.   The defendant died on 19.08.2004 and the legal

heirs of the defendant got issued legal notice dated 02.09.2004

to the plaintiff indicating that the legal heirs of the defendant

are ready and willing to execute the sale deed after receiving

the balance sale consideration and requested to inform as to

where and when they have to meet the plaintiff for completion
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of the sale transaction and for execution of the registered sale

deed in order to complete their obligation as per the judgment

dated 25.08.2004.     The plaintiff's counsel sent a reply dated

17.09.2004 informing that upon going through the judgment

and within two months after getting the copy of the decree, the

plaintiff would get the sale deed executed in his favour.      The

defendants got issued another notice on 4.11.2004 to the

plaintiff informing that the plaintiff, with a sole intention to go

behind the agreement and also the terms of the decree got

issued reply notice stating that he still wants to look into the

judgment and decree passed by the Court.              Hence, the

defendants informed that they are not liable to execute the sale

deed since the plaintiff inspite of specific offer made by the

legal heirs of the deceased, did not complete the sale

transaction. As such, the defendants are at liberty to deal with

the property in favour of anybody of their choice. The plaintiff

sent a notice dated 27.11.2004 informing that the plaintiff has

applied for the certified copy of the decree and the plaintiff is

ready to scrupulously follow the terms of the decree and get

the property in question registered and as on that date, neither

the office of the Court had drawn the decree nor was it signed
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by the learned Civil Judge. The decree at Annexure-N indicates

that the said decree was drawn and signed by the learned Civil

Judge on 24.09.2004.         Hence, the assertion of the plaintiff in

the notice dated 27.11.2004 that the decree was not drawn is

factually incorrect. The plaintiff got issued another notice dated

20.01.2005 stating that he has been furnished with the

certified copy of the decree and are wiling to get the sale deed

registered.


      12.     The   plaintiff   filed      an    execution      petition      in

Ex.P.No.17/2005         on   08.02.2005         seeking    prayer       to   the

defendants-judgment debtors to execute the sale deed in

favour of plaintiff-decree holder.          Along with the execution

petition, the plaintiff filed an affidavit.        The affidavit indicates

that the plaintiff was ready for the registration of the sale deed

within the period and also ready to pay the balance sale

consideration but the judgment debtors were not ready to

execute the sale deed in favour of the plaintiff.               Further, the

judgment      debtors    have   not     challenged        the   order    dated

25.08.2004 till now.         The order sheet in Ex.P.No.17/2005

indicates that the plaintiff-decree holder filed a memo wherein
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he seeks permission to deposit the balance sale consideration

of    Rs.2,16,000/-.          The   Execution    Court,     on    29.06.2006

permitted the decree holder to deposit Rs.2,16,000/- and

ordered to issue RO to the said amount. On 07.07.2006, the

decree holder filed a memo along with a document for having

deposited the amount.


       13.     The defendants-judgment debtors filed objections

on    15.09.2005        in    Ex.P.No.17/2005        contending    that   the

plaintiff-decree holder was supposed to have paid the balance

sale consideration within two months as per the conditional

judgment and decree and should have got the sale deed

registered. Hence, the agreements stood revoked by virtue of

the judgment dated 25.08.2004 passed in O.S.No.259/2001

and the judgment being a conditional judgment, the decree

holder is estopped from contending contrary to the same in the

execution petition and the decree is not executable.                      The

Execution Court, vide order dated 11.03.2010 rejected the

objections holding that the Execution Court cannot go beyond

the decree and cannot interpret the same in negative terms.

The     said    order        was    assailed    by    the   petitioners    in
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M.A.No.28/2010 which is pending consideration.                       In the

meanwhile, the petitioners filed an application under Section

28(1) of the Act seeking for rescinding the judgment and

decree dated 25.08.2004 and the agreement of sale dated

28.03.1999 which came to be rejected by the Trial Court under

the impugned order.


     14.     The Allahabad High Court in the case of RADHEY

SHYAM AND OTHERS, referred supra at paragraphs 17 and

18 held as under:

         "17. So far as the objection under section 47, C.P.C.
     filed    by     the      defendants     is   concerned,        the
     petitioners/judgment       debtors     had   objected     to   the
     execution of the decree on the ground that the balance
     sale consideration was not paid by the decree holder.
     The decree for specific performance is a preliminary
     decree. The Court passing the decree did not cease to
     have    power    after    decreeing    the   suit   for   specific
     performance rather final decree is to be passed only
     after the conditions of the preliminary decree have been
     complied with. The time specified in the decree for
     specific performance of the conditions of the decree has
     to be adhered to. In case of failure to deposit the
     money, the Court has power to extend the time on the
     application of the decree holder.
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         18. The decree holder did not file any application
     seeking extension of time. On the other hand, in the
     objection-under section 47, C.P.C., the judgment debtor
     had pleaded that the final decree could not be passed as
     the decree             holder     did not     pay    the     balance sale
     consideration in compliance of the preliminary decree.
     The Executing Court had adopted correct approach of
     law in looking into the facts that whether the decree for
     specific        performance        can    be     executed       by   giving
     extension of time to the decree holder to deposit the
     balance sale consideration. In its discretion, it has
     refused to accept the deposits made beyond the period
     of four years, without any explanation of delay by the
     decree holder. The Revisional Court ought not to have
     interfered in the matter in its limited jurisdiction. This
     Court, therefore, is of the opinion that the impugned
     judgment and orders dated 24.2.1996 and 30.9.2008
     cannot be sustained and are accordingly set aside. The
     order      of        the   Executing     Court      dated    9.5.2002     in
     Execution Case No. 61 of 1996 is upheld. The writ
     petition        is     allowed.    The    Execution         application   is
     consigned to record."


     15.     In the aforesaid decision, it was held that the

decree for specific performance is a preliminary decree.                            The

Court passing the decree did not cease to have the power after

decreeing a suit for specific performance rather final decree is

to be passed only after the conditions of the preliminary decree
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have been complied with, and the conditions of the decree has

to be adhered to and the decree holder shall seek extension of

time to deposit the balance sale consideration and the Trial

Court, in its discretion has to refuse or accept the deposit

beyond the period.


     16.   In the case of BAKHTAWAR SINGH referred

supra, the Rajasthan High Court at paragraphs 17, 18, 20 and

21 held as under:

         "17. This case is clearly distinguishable inasmuch as
     such a proposition cannot be applied to the facts of the
     present case. Filing of application under Section 28 of the
     Act by the defendant is in the circumstances where the
     plaintiff fails to deposit the money as directed in the
     decree. Here the plaintiff has filed only an application
     under Section 148 C.P.C. for extension of time, which has
     been refused upon a contest by the defendant and while
     dismissing the said application under Section 148 C.P.C.,
     the Court also invoked the Section 28 of the Act to
     rescind the agreement in question itself without any
     separate   and   specific   application   by    the   vendor   -
     defendant Mst. Inder Kaur. There was no need for any
     separate application on behalf of the defendant to move
     any such application, since the plaintiff only claimed
     extension of time as a matter of right under Section 148
     C.P.C. having not led any evidence in support of basis for
     such extension, therefore, even if the contract was not
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     rescinded, the learned trial court could very well refuse
     the execution of the decree in question holding it to be a
     in executable decree.


         18. The other case relied upon by the learned counsel
     for the petitioner, Mr. Hemant Dutt in the case of D.V.
     Paul v. Manisha Lalwani, (2010) 8 SCC 546 is only about
     exercise of discretion under Section 148 C.P.C. and the
     Hon'ble Apex Court in para 26 clarified that such a
     provision is only discretionary and is intended to be
     exercised to meet the ends of justice. In para 32 of the
     judgment, the Hon'ble Apex Court has clearly observed
     that the power to fix time for doing of an act must carry
     with it the power to extend such period, depending upon
     whether the party in default makes out a case to the
     satisfaction of the Court who has fixed the time. In the
     present case, the learned Counsel below has only refused
     the said application and such rejection cannot be said to
     be perverse in any manner requiring interference by this
     Court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India.


         20. On    the   other   hand,    in   the   case   of V.S.
     Palanichamy Chettiar Firm v. C. Alagappan reported in
     (1999) 4 SCC 702 relied upon by the learned counsel for
     the respondents Mr. V.K. Agarwal, the Hon'ble Apex Court
     in para 17 held that the provisions to grant specific
     performance    of   an   agreement    are   quite   stringent.
     Equitable considerations come into play and the Court has
     to see all the attendant circumstances including if the
     vendee has conducted himself in a reasonable manner
     under the contract of sale. The Apex Court held that the
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     court cannot as a matter of course, allow extension of
     time   for   making   payment       of   balance   amount   of
     consideration in terms of a decree after 5 years of passing
     of the decree by the trial Court and 3 years of its
     confirmation by the appellate Court. Therefore, the
     Hon'ble Supreme Court rejected the application of the
     plaintiff and upheld the contention of the defendant that
     the decree was in executable after long lapse of 5 years.
     Para 17 of the said judgment as appearing in the head-
     note of the SCC is extracted below for ready reference:
              "Provisions to grant specific performance of an
         agreement       are    quite   stringent.   Equitable
         considerations come into play. Court has to see all
         the attendant circumstances including if the vendee
         has conducted himself in a reasonable manner
         under the contract of sale. That being the position
         of law for filing the suit for specific performance,
         can the court as a matter of course allow extension
         of time for making payment of balance amount of
         consideration in terms of a decree after 5 years of
         passing of the decree by the trial Court and 3 years
         of its confirmation by the appellate Court? It is not
         the case of the respondent-decree holder that on
         account of any fault on the part of the vendor-
         judgment-debtor, the amount could not be
         deposited as per the decree. That being the
         position, if now time is granted, that would be
         going beyond the period of limitation prescribed for
         filing of the suit for specific performance of the
         agreement though this provision may not be
         strictly applicable. It is nevertheless an important
         circumstance to be considered by the Court. That
         apart, no explanation whatsoever is coming from
         the decree-holder-respondents as to why they did
         not pay the balance amount of consideration as per
         the decree except what the High Court itself though
         fit to comment which is certainly not borne out
         from the record. Equity demands that discretion be
         not exercised in favour of the decree holder-
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         respondents and no extension of time be granted
         to them to comply with the decree."


         21. The said judgment is clearly on all fours with the
     present case and this Court is of the clear opinion that
     learned Executing Court below was justified in refusing
     the execution of decree of specific performance rejecting
     the application filed under Section 148 C.P.C. and 3 and
     ½ years of the decree without any reason and without
     any evidence. The learned trial Court, rightly found no
     justification for execution of decree after 7 years of
     decree dtd. 16.8.2003 and the learned court below was
     justified in invoking Section 28 of the Act and rescind the
     Agreement itself."
                                        [Emphasis supplied]


     17.   In the case of PREM JEEVAN, referred supra, the

Hon'ble Supreme Court at paragraphs 8 to 12 held as under:

         "8. Reference to Order 20 Rule 12-A CPC shows that
     in every decree of specific performance of a contract, the
     court has to specify the period within which the payment
     has to be made. In the present case, the said period was
     two months from the date of the decree.


         9. In absence of the said time being extended, the
     decree-holder could execute the decree only by making
     the payment of the decretal amount to the judgment-
     debtor or making the deposit in the court in terms of the
     said decree. In the present case, neither the said deposit
     was made within the stipulated time nor extension of time
     was sought or granted and also no explanation has been
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     furnished for the delay in the making of the deposit. No
     doubt, as contended by the learned counsel for the
     decree-holders, relying on the judgment of this Court
     in Ramankutty          Guptan v. Avara          [Ramankutty
     Guptan v. Avara, (1994) 2 SCC 642] , in an appropriate
     case the court which passed the decree could extend the
     time as envisaged in the Specific Relief Act, 1963. In the
     present case no such steps have been taken by the
     decree-holders.


         10. In   the   above   circumstances,    the   contention
     advanced on behalf of the decree-holders, respondents
     herein, that unless the judgment-debtor seeks rescission
     of the contract in terms of Section 28 of the Specific
     Relief Act, the decree remains executable in spite of
     expiry of the period for deposit, with the only obligation
     on the part of the decree-holders to pay interest, cannot
     be accepted.


         11. Section 28 of the Specific Relief Act is as follows:
            "28. Rescission in certain circumstances of
         contracts for the sale or lease of immovable
         property, the specific performance of which has
         been decreed.--(1) Where in any suit a decree for
         specific performance of a contract for the sale or
         lease of immovable property has been made and
         the purchaser or lessee does not, within the period
         allowed by the decree or such further period as the
         court may allow, pay the purchase money or other
         sum which the court has ordered him to pay, the
         vendor or lessor may apply in the same suit in
         which the decree is made, to have the contract
         rescinded and on such application the court may,
         by order, rescind the contract either so far as
         regards the party in default or altogether, as the
         justice of the case may require.
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            (2) Where a contract is rescinded under sub-
         section (1), the court--
                (a) shall direct the purchaser or the
            lessee, if he has obtained possession of the
            property under the contract, to restore such
            possession to the vendor or lessor, and
                (b) may direct payment to the vendor or
            lessor of all the rents and profits which have
            accrued in respect of the property from the
            date on which possession was so obtained by
            the purchaser or lessee until restoration of
            possession to the vendor or lessor, and, if
            the justice of the case so requires, the
            refund of any sum paid by the vendee or
            lessee as earnest money or deposit in
            connection with the contract.

             (3) If the purchaser or lessee pays the purchase
         money or other sum which he is ordered to pay
         under the decree within the period referred to in
         sub-section (1), the court may, on application
         made in the same suit, award the purchaser or
         lessee such further relief as he may be entitled to,
         including in appropriate cases all or any of the
         following reliefs, namely--
                 (a) the execution of a proper conveyance
             or lease by the vendor or lessor;
                 (b) the delivery of possession, or partition
             and separate possession, of the property on
             the execution of such conveyance or lease.

            (4) No separate suit in respect of any relief
         which may be claimed under this section shall lie at
         the instance of a vendor, purchaser, lessor or
         lessee, as the case may be.

            (5) The costs of any proceedings under this
         section shall be in the discretion of the court."

         12. There is no doubt that the above provision permits
     the judgment-debtor to seek rescission of a contract and
     also permits extension of time by the court but merely
     because rescission of contract is not sought by the
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      judgment-debtor,      does    not     automatically   result   in
      extension of time."
                                               [Emphasis supplied]


      18.   In the aforesaid decision, the Hon'ble Supreme

Court held that Section 28 of the Act permits the party to the

contract to seek extension of time and merely because the

rescission of contract is not sought by one party, it does not

automatically result in the extension of time.


      19.   The    Hon'ble    Supreme         Court    in   the   case    of

RAMANKUTTY GUPTAN referred supra, at paragraphs 8 and 9

held as under:

         "8. Section 37 CPC enumerates that:
             "37. Definition of Court which passed a
         decree.-- The expression 'Court which passed a
         decree', or words to that effect, shall, in relation to
         the execution of decrees, unless there is anything
         repugnant in the subject or context, be deemed to
         include,--
             (a) where the decree to be executed has been
         passed in the exercise of appellate jurisdiction, the
         Court of first instance, and
                                   ***
      Therefore, it is clear that the decree of the appellate court
      would be construed to be the decree passed by the court
      of first instance. It is settled law that an appeal is a
      continuation of the suit. Therefore, when a decree for
      specific performance has been dismissed by the trial
      court, but decreed by the appellate court, it should be
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     construed to be in the same suit. When the decree
     specifies the time for performance of the conditions of the
     decree, on its failure to deposit the money, Section 28(1)
     itself gives power to the court to extend the time on such
     terms as the court may allow to pay the purchase money
     or other sum which the court has ordered him to pay.
     In K.    Kalpana     Saraswathi v. P.S.S.         Somasundaram
     Chettiar [(1980) 1 SCC 630 : (1980) 2 SCR 293] this
     Court held that on an oral prayer made by the counsel for
     the plaintiff for permission to deposit the entire amount
     as directed by the trial court this Court directed the
     appellant to deposit the amount within six months from
     that date together with interest and other conditions
     mentioned therein. An application for extension of time
     for payment of balance consideration may be filed even in
     the court of first instance or in the appellate court in the
     same suit as the decree of the trial court stands merged
     with that of the appellate court which decree is under
     execution. It is to be seen that the procedure is the
     handmaid for justice and unless the procedure touches
     upon    jurisdictional   issue,   it   should    be   moulded    to
     subserve    substantial    justice.    Therefore      technicalities
     would not stand in the way to subserve substantive
     justice. Take a case where the decree is transferred for
     execution to a transferee executing court, then certainly
     the transferee court is not the original court and
     execution court is not the "same court" within the
     meaning of Section 28 of the Act. But when an application
     has been made in the court in which the original suit was
     filed and the execution is being proceeded with, then
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     certainly an application under Section 28 is maintainable
     in the same court.


         9. The question then emerges is whether it should be
     on the original side or execution side. Section indicates
     that it should be "in the same suit". It would obviously
     mean in the        suit   itself and not in the execution
     proceedings. It is equally settled law that after passing
     the decree for specific performance, the court does not
     cease to have any jurisdiction. The court retains control
     over the decree even after the decree has been passed. It
     was open to the court to exercise the power under
     Section 28(1) of the Act either for extension of time or for
     rescinding   the    contract     as     claimed   for.   Since   the
     execution application has been filed in the same court in
     which the original suit was filed, namely the court of first
     instance, instead of treating the application on the
     execution side, it should have as well been numbered as
     an interlocutory application on the original side and
     disposed of according to law. In this view, we feel that
     the judgment of the Bombay High Court laid down the law
     correctly and that of the Andhra Pradesh High Court is not
     correct. The High Court, therefore, is not right in
     dismissing the application treating it to be on execution
     side, instead of transferring it on the original side for
     dealing with it according to law."
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     20.   In the case of SARDAR MOHAR SINGH referred

supra, the Hon'ble Supreme Court at paragraph 4 held as

under:

         "4. From the language of sub-section (1) of Section
     28, it could be seen that the court does not lose its
     jurisdiction after the grant of the decree for specific
     performance nor it becomes functus officio. The very fact
     that Section 28 itself gives power to grant order of
     rescission of the decree would indicate that till the sale
     deed is executed in execution of the decree, the trial
     court retains its power and jurisdiction to deal with the
     decree of specific performance. It would also be clear that
     the court has power to enlarge the time in favour of the
     judgment-debtor to pay the amount or to perform the
     conditions   mentioned    in   the   decree   for   specific
     performance, in spite of an application for rescission of
     the decree having been filed by the judgment-debtor and
     rejected. In other words, the court has the discretion to
     extend time for compliance of the conditional decree as
     mentioned in the decree for specific performance. It is
     true that the respondent has not given satisfactory
     explanation of every day's delay. It is not, unlike Section
     5 of the Limitation Act, an application for condonation of
     delay. It is one for extension of time. Under these
     circumstances, the executing court as well as the High
     Court had exercised discretion and extended the time to
     comply with the conditional decree. Accordingly, we do
     not find any valid and justifiable reason to interfere with
     the order passed by the High Court confirming the order
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     of the executing court when in particular, the High Court
     has further enhanced a sum of Rs 16,000 to compensate
     the petitioner for loss of enjoyment of the money. The
     said amount is given to the respondent in a sum of Rs
     16,000 rightly for the reason that parties contracted for
     non-performance of the contract. They quantified the
     damages at Rs 2000 for 8 years. The Court has given Rs
     16,000 obviously in terms of the contract."


     21.   The    Kerala     High       Court    in   the   case   of

CHITHAMBARAN PONNAPPAN referred supra at paragraph 6

observed as under:

         "6. What remains to be considered is whether a
     written application is necessary for extension of time.
     Here is a case where, even in the decree the Court below
     allowed the decree-holder time to make the deposit. Mere
     failure on the part of the decree-holder to deposit the
     amount does not render the decree ineffective or release
     the judgment-debtor from the decree ineffective or
     release the judgment-debtor from his liability to satisfy
     the decree. It is only when there is wilful default on the
     part of the decree-holder to make the deposit, that the
     Court would be justified in refusing extension of time.
     There is no such wilful default evident in the present case
     and as such the Court below has the authority and power,
     under Section 148 of the C.P.C. to extend the time and to
     proceed with the execution albeit the deposit was belated.
     That there exists power on the part of the execution
     Court to extend the time even without application is clear
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     from the decision in K. Kalpana Saraswathi v. P.S.S.S.
     Chettiar (AIR 1980 SC 512) also."


     22.   The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of KUMAR

DHIRENDRA         MULLICK       AND      ORS.    referred   supra   at

paragraphs 27 to 32 held as under:

         "27. In the case of Hungerford Investment Trust
     Ltd. v. Haridas Mundhra [(1972) 3 SCC 684] it has been
     held that when the court passes the decree for specific
     performance, the contract between the parties is not
     extinguished. That the decree for specific performance is
     in the nature of preliminary decree and the suit is deemed
     to be pending even after the decree. Hence, the court
     retains control over the entire matter even after the
     decree. Since the court retains control over the matter,
     despite the decree, it is open to the court to order
     rescission of the agreement, when it is found that the
     decree-holder is not ready and willing to abide by his
     obligations under the decree.


         28. In    the   case    of M.    Sakuntala    Devi v. V.
     Sakuntala [AIR 1978 AP 337] it has been held that
     though Section 28 does not confer power on the court to
     extend time, it recognises its power to do so in cases of
     default in payment.


         29. In the case of K. Kalpana Saraswathi v. P.S.S.
     Somasundaram Chettiar [(1980) 1 SCC 630 : AIR 1980
     SC 512] it has been held as follows: (SCC p. 633, para 4)
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              "4. It is perfectly open to the court in control of
         a suit for specific performance to extend the time
         for deposit, and this Court may do so even now to
         enable the plaintiff to get the advantage of the
         agreement to sell in her favour. The disentitling
         circumstances relied upon by the defendant-
         respondent are offset by the false pleas raised in
         the course of the suit by him and rightly negatived.
         Nor are we convinced that the application for
         consideration and extension of time cannot be
         read, as in substance it is, as a petition for more
         time to deposit. Even so, specific performance is an
         equitable relief and he who seeks equity can be put
         on terms to ensure that equity is done to the
         opposite party even while granting the relief. The
         final end of law is justice, and so the means to it
         too should be informed by equity. That is why he
         who seeks equity shall do equity. Here, the
         assignment of the mortgage is not a guileless
         discharge of the vendor's debt as implied in the
         agreement to sell but a disingenuous disguise to
         arm herself with a mortgage decree to swallow up
         the property in case the specific performance
         litigation misfires. To sterilise this decree is
         necessary equity to which the appellant must
         submit herself before she can enjoy the fruits of
         specific performance."

         30. In       the        case       of Sardar        Mohar
     Singh v. Mangilal [(1997) 9 SCC 217] it has been held
     that Section 28(1) postulates that the court does not lose
     its jurisdiction after the grant of the decree for specific
     performance nor it becomes functus officio. Section 28
     gives power to grant order of rescission of the agreement
     which itself indicates that till the sale deed is executed,
     the trial court retains its power and jurisdiction to deal
     with the decree of specific performance. Therefore, it was
     held, the court has the power to enlarge the time in
     favour of the judgment-debtor [Ed. : In Sardar Mohar
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     Singh case on failure of the defendant seller to perform
     his part of the contract, the trial court passed a decree for
     specific performance directing him to execute the sale
     deed or in the alternative to refund the earnest money
     and also pay damages. Thereupon he (judgment-debtor
     in the decree for specific performance) viz. the vendor
     filed applications to rescind the decree in execution and
     sought extension of time to refund the earnest money
     and pay the damages. The peculiar situation of a
     judgment-debtor praying for extension of time to "pay"
     seems to have arisen in Sardar Mohar Singh case due to
     the fact that the trial court had granted the decree of
     specific performance against the judgment-debtor only
     conditionally, that is, the decree would be enforced only if
     he failed to refund the earnest money and pay the
     damages to the decree-holder in the time specified. In
     light of such a decree having been passed against him,
     the judgment-debtor in Sardar Mohar Singh case, both
     sought for a rescission of the said (conditional) decree for
     specific performance and sought for extension of time to
     refund ("pay") the earnest money and the damages. Both
     the executing court and the High Court having allowed
     both his applications, that is for rescission and for
     extension of time for making the refund, the question
     before   the   Supreme    Court     in Sardar   Mohar   Singh
     case was whether the courts below had the power to
     grant the extension of time to the judgment-debtor in
     respect of the refund and payment of damages, which it
     answered in the affirmative, in the terms quoted in this
     judgment. Ordinarily, however, and as obtaining in this
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     case as well, it is the purchaser-decree-holder who would
     be before the court seeking an extension of time to pay
     (the remainder of) the consideration amount so as to
     execute the decree of specific performance, in the face of
     the     vendor-judgment-debtor's        attempt   to   have   the
     contract rescinded. Interestingly, the above conditional
     decree of specific performance may be viewed as a
     conditional decree for rescission, inasmuch as if the
     judgment-debtor made the refund of earnest money and
     payment of damages on time then the contract would be
     rescinded. On the other hand if he did not make the said
     refund and payment on time, then the contract would be
     enforced and a sale deed would have to be executed.] to
     pay the amount or to perform the conditions mentioned in
     the     decree   for    specific   performance,    despite    the
     application for rescission of the agreement/decree.


           31. In   the     case   of Vaiyapuri   Reddy v. Sivalinga
     Reddiar [(1970) 1 MLJ 92] it has been held that since the
     court has, under Section 28, the power to extend the
     period in cases where it has already fixed a period of
     deposit, it should be deemed to have the power to either
     fix a period or grant a fresh period to deposit, particularly
     in cases where no such period is fixed by the decree. In
     that case, the Court found that there were laches on the
     part of the plaintiff in depositing the amount and yet the
     Court gave thirty days' time to the plaintiff to deposit the
     amount on the application made by the defendants for
     rescission of the contract.
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         32. In the case of Ouseph v. Devassy [AIR 2001 Ker
      104 : (2001) 1 KLJ 59] the decree was silent as to the
      date by which the decree-holder was to pay the balance
      of the price. Possession was with the decree-holder. The
      purchaser deposited the balance before filing of the
      petition for rescission of the agreement but after expiry of
      the period fixed by the decree. The decree-holder applied
      for condonation of the delay. The same was granted. In
      doing so, the Court observed that Section 28 enables the
      court to extend the time which by itself implies that mere
      failure to deposit the balance need not result in the
      rescission of the contract. On facts, it was found that the
      decree was silent as to the date by which the decree-
      holder     was   to   deposit   the   balance   of   the   sale
      consideration. On facts, it was found that the decree-
      holder was in possession for 18 years. On facts, it was
      found that the vendor did not take any steps to get the
      balance of the sale consideration. That the vendor failed
      to seek rescission for 18 years. In the circumstances, the
      Court allowed the decree-holder condonation of delay in
      depositing the balance consideration."


      23.      Keeping in mind the enunciation of law laid down by

the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the other High Courts, I am of

the considered view that the Trial Court has committed a grave

error in rejecting the application filed by the petitioners under

Section 28(1) of the Act. The judgment in O.S.No.259/2001 is

dated 25.08.2004 wherein two months' time was granted to the
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plaintiff to pay the balance sale consideration and get the sale

deed executed.       The plaintiff did not pay the balance sale

consideration within the stipulated time and did not get the sale

deed executed despite the defendants issuing legal notice dated

02.09.2004.    On 02.09.2004, the defendants have expressed

their willingness to execute the registered sale deed in favour

of the plaintiff.   The plaintiff, in his reply contended that he

would get the decree and thereafter, perform his part of

obligation as per the judgment dated 25.08.2004. The records

indicate that the decree is drawn and signed by the learned

Judge on 24.09.2004 and from the said date, the plaintiff failed

to comply his part of obligation as per the judgment within the

stipulated time of two months.


      24.   The     plaintiff   filed      an   execution   petition   on

08.02.2005 falsely contending that he was ready and willing to

get the sale deed registered by paying the balance amount.

The affidavit filed along with the execution proceedings is

nothing but false assertion of readiness and willingness.

Nothing had prevented the plaintiff to send a Cheque / Demand

Draft to the defendants if he was ready and willing when the
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first notice was issued by the defendants on 02.09.2004 and

later also. Even at the time of filing of the execution petition,

the plaintiff has not deposited the balance amount which clearly

demonstrates the intent of the plaintiff. The order sheet of the

Execution Court clearly indicates that nearly after 1 year 4

months of filing of the execution petition, the plaintiff files a

memo       seeking     permission        to    deposit     the   amount     of

Rs.2,16,000/-.       On the said date, the defendants had already

filed objections in the execution proceedings contending that

the judgment and decree is unenforceable beyond the period

stipulated in the judgment and decree in the absence of any

extension of time sought by the plaintiff. The objections filed

by   the    defendants     in   the     execution    proceedings       clearly

indicates     that   the   defendants          intended    to    rescind   the

agreement of sale in question and in categorical terms, stated

that there is willful refusal on the part of the plaintiff in paying

the balance sale consideration and getting the sale deed

registered.


      25.     In my considered view, the objections filed by the

defendants dated 15.09.2005 is required to be considered as a
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prayer for rescinding the contract before the Court. However,

the Execution Court, rejected the objections by recording an

incorrect finding that the original defendant has died on

19.08.2004 and a dead person cannot execute the sale deed

and the legal heirs of the original defendant can execute the

sale deed only after getting the title in their names by

succession. In my considered view, the approach of the Court

is perverse and contrary to the settled principle of law. The

succession opens immediately after the death of the original

defendant and the legal heirs become the owners of the

property and the very same legal heirs have issued notices to

the plaintiff on 02.09.2004 and 04.11.2004 expressing their

readiness and willingness to execute the sale deed and

requested the plaintiff to pay the balance sale consideration.


      26.   The Execution Court further committed an error in

coming to the conclusion that the plaintiff has deposited the

balance sale consideration of Rs.2,16,000/- in the execution

proceedings and therefore, the Execution Court has extended

the time to the decree holder to deposit the balance sale

consideration. The said order of the Execution Court is beyond
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its order dated 29.06.2006.          The Execution Court has only

permitted the decree holder to deposit the amount.           It is

admitted fact that the plaintiff-decree holder has not sought

any extension of time by filing an application in the original

proceedings or before the Execution Court rather he has

voluntarily filed a memo seeking permission to deposit the

amount and the said memo has been accepted by the

Execution Court which cannot be construed as extension of

time under Section 28 of the Act. I am saying so for the reason

that the amount sought to be deposited by the plaintiff was on

29.06.2006 as whereas he was required to deposit within 60

days from 25.08.2004 i.e. two months from the date of

judgment or from the date of decree i.e. 24.09.2004 from the

said date to two months i.e. 23.12.2004. However, he filed a

memo after a period of more than 1 year 8 months and there is

no explanation whatsoever for the delay in the memo and there

is no prayer seeking for extension of time provided in the

judgment dated 25.08.2004.          Hence, I am of the considered

view   that   the   part   sale   consideration deposited by the

petitioners is not as per the judgment and decree passed in the

aforesaid suit.
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      27.    The   defendants    have    seriously   disputed   the

quantum of amount deposited by the plaintiff in the Execution

Court and the learned counsel for the defendants has also

admitted that the balance sale consideration of Rs.2,16,000/- is

towards the extent of 3 acres 15 guntas and not to the full

extent.     The records indicate that there is no dispute with

regard to 19 guntas as orally contended by the learned counsel

for the plaintiff. None of the reply notices sent by the plaintiff

indicate that there is a dispute with regard to 19 guntas as

argued by the learned counsel for the plaintiff. Hence, on this

count also, I am of the considered view that the deposit made

by the plaintiff-decree holder in the execution proceedings is

not the entire balance sale consideration as per the agreement

of sale in question. In the absence of any extension of time for

deposit of the amount and mere deposit of some part amount

in the execution proceedings by the plaintiff-decree holder

amounts to willful refusal to perform his part of the obligation

as per the judgment and decree in O.S.No.259/2001. Hence,

the judgment and decree is unenforceable and the defendants
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have categorically sought for rescinding the contract by way of

objections in the execution proceedings.


      28.     Learned counsel for the defendants-petitioners have

contended that as an abundant caution, they have filed an

application under Section 28 of the Act in a rural Court at

Bengaluru though the execution proceedings are transferred to

Nelamangala Court.      The Trial Court rejected the application

filed by the petitioners under Section 28(1) of the Act, solely on

the ground that the application is filed beyond the period of

limitation.    In my considered view, the approach of the Trial

Court is perverse and contrary to the settled principles of law.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the aforesaid decision has

categorically held that the decree for specific performance is

only a preliminary decree and in the instant case, no final

decree is passed. The passing of the final decree in the case of

specific performance would be only after executing the sale

deed and delivery of possession to the decree holder by the

defendants-judgment debtors or by the process of the Court.

Hence, in my considered view, applying Article 59 of the

Limitation Act to the case on hand is perverse and incorrect.
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Article 59 of the Limitation Act provides 3 year period of

limitation to cancel or set aside an instrument or a decree or for

rescission of contract.    In the case on hand, the execution

proceedings are pending which is a continuation of the suit

proceedings and the preliminary decree of specific performance

has not attained finality by executing the sale deed and

delivery of possession in favour of the decree holder. Hence,

the question of limitation would not arise and the impugned

order is liable to be set aside.


      29.    The chronology of events referred supra clearly

demonstrates that the original defendant was in need of money

in the year 2001.      Hence, conceded by filing a memo for

passing of the decree for specific performance. However, the

plaintiff by willful refusal and conduct defeated the intent of the

defendant.    The material on record makes it very clear that

without any justifiable reason, the plaintiff dodged the payment

of balance sale consideration. Wrong doers cannot be allowed

to make profit of their own wrongs. A party may not derive an

advantage from its own unlawful acts.         'Nullus Commodum

Capere Potest de injuria sua propria'.        The aforesaid latin
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maxim indicates that a person who manipulates the process,

frustrates the legal rights of others, should not be permitted to

take advantage of his wrong or manipulation. In the case on

hand, the plaintiff has manipulated the process by defeating

the right to enjoy the property by the defendant from 2001 to

this day by indulging in the litigation.        If the plaintiff was

honest in his approach, he would have deposited the balance

amount immediately atleast after the drawing of the decree or

after issuing of the first notice.      The deposit of some amount

before the Execution Court without seeking any extension in

O.S.No.259/2001 is an abuse of process of law and amounts to

willful refusal to comply the judgment and decree of the Trial

Court in O.S.No.259/2001.


      30.   Having come to the aforesaid conclusion, I am of

the considered view that the agreements of sale in question are

required to be rescinded and considering the peculiar facts and

circumstances of the case, I am of the considered view that the

plaintiff is entitled for the refund of advance sale consideration

paid to the original defendant along with interest and also the
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plaintiff-decree holder is entitled to seek refund of amount

deposited by him in the Execution Court.


      31.   The   contention    of       the   respondents   that   the

conditional decree is enforceable till the order of rescinding

contract is passed, has no merit. The conditional decree would

become inoperative once the conditions are not fulfilled within

the time stipulated or time extended by the Court under

Section 28 of the Act.     In the instant case, after the period

stipulated in the conditional decree, the conditional decree

becomes inoperative unless the said condition is modified by

extension of time by the Court.           In the case on hand, the

plaintiff has not made any application for seeking extension of

time till day. Hence, the decree becomes unenforceable under

the law.


      32.   For the aforementioned reasons, I proceed to pass

the following:

                               ORDER

(i) The writ petition is allowed.

(ii) The impugned order dated 31.08.2017 passed by the

II Additional Senior Civil Judge, Bengaluru, on an application

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filed by the petitioner-defendant under Section 28(1) of the

Act, in O.S.No.259/2001 is set aside.

(iii) The application filed by the petitioners under

Section 28(1) of the Act is allowed, the agreements of sale

entered into between the plaintiff and the original defendant

dated 28.03.1999 and 27.11.2000 are rescinded.

(iv) The petitioners-defendants are directed to refund the

advance sale consideration received under the aforesaid

agreements of sale from the plaintiff along with interest at the

rate of 8% p.a. from the date of receipt till the payment is

made within a period of four months from today.

(v) The respondent-plaintiff-decree holder is permitted to

withdraw the amount in deposit before the Execution Court.

No order as to costs.

33. In view of the disposal of the petition, the pending

interlocutory application does not survive for consideration and

is accordingly disposed of.

Sd/-

(VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL)
JUDGE

RV
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 1



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