PRAKASH SAHU vs. SAULAL

Citation : 2019 Latest Caselaw 815 SC
Judgement Date : Sep/2019

Headnote :

Section 49 of the Registration Act, 1908 - Evidentiary Value of Unregistered Agreements - An unregistered sale agreement can be considered for collateral purposes. The High Court erred in ruling that an unregistered document could not be used for collateral purposes. The order has been overturned.



[Paras 4 and 5]

 

Before :- Navin Sinha and B.R. Gavai, JJ.

Civil Appeal Nos. 6772 of 2019 (@SLP(C) 34778 of 2016). D/d. 2.9.2019.

Prakash Sahu - Appellants

Versus

Saulal & Ors. - Respondents

For the Appellants :- Akshat Shrivastava, Ms. Pooja Shrivastava, Advocates.

For the Respondents :- Akshay Girish Ringe, Ms. Megha Mukerjee, Siddharth Joshi, Advocates.

ORDER

Leave granted.

2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

3. The short question in the present appeal is whether an unregistered agreement of sale can be seen for collateral purposes under the proviso to section 49 of the Registration Act, 1908.

4. The Trial Court based its reasoning on a decision of this Court in S. Kaladevi v. V.R. Somasundaram & Ors. (2010) 5 SCC 401 elucidating as follows:-

"(I) In that situation it is essential for the registration of the document, if, unregistered is not admissible in evidence under section 49 of the Registration Act.
(ii) Yet, such unregistered document can be used by way of collateral evidences provided in the proviso to the section 49 of the Registration Act.
(iii) For effecting with the collateral transaction, whose registration is required by law should be free from the transaction or be divisible from that.
(iv) Collateral transaction should be such a transaction which may not be automatically expected of effecting by the registered document, i.e. Rupees One Hundred or any transaction or instrument or right or interest in any immovable property of the value of more than Rupees One Hundred.
(v) If the document is inadmissible in evidence in the absence of registration then any of its estopple cannot be admitted in evidence and for use of the document for purposes of proving important part, it would not be utilized by way of collateral purpose."
5. The High Court failed to consider the aforesaid while holding that the unregistered document could not be taken into consideration for collateral purposes.

6. We consider the same as sufficient reason to set aside the order of the High Court and restore the order of the Trial Court dated 18 March, 2016.

7. The appeal is accordingly, allowed.

8. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

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