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Pappa vs Gandhimathi
2023 Latest Caselaw 17420 Mad

Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 17420 Mad
Judgement Date : 22 December, 2023

Madras High Court

Pappa vs Gandhimathi on 22 December, 2023

                                                                              S.A.No.670 of 2017




                              IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

                                                DATED :22.12.2023

                                                       CORAM

                                  THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SOUNTHAR

                                             S.A.No. 670 of 2017 and
                                             C.M.P.No.17405 of 2017
              1.Pappa
              2.Varadharajan                                                   ...Appellants

                                                        Vs.

              1.Gandhimathi
              2.Nandhini
              3.Minor Santhiya
              4.Minor Dinesh                                             ...Respondents
              PRAYER: Second Appeal filed under Section 100 of the Civil Procedure Code,
              against the judgment and decree of the Sub-Ordinate Judge at Kallakurichi dated
              30.06.2014 in A.S.No.52 of 2012 confirming the judgment and decree of the I
              Additional District Munsif Court at Kallakurichi dated 18.01.2012 in
              O.S.No.226 of 2006.

                                      For Appellants          : M/s.P.Valliappan
                                                                Senior Counsel
                                                                for Mr.S.M.S.Shriram Narayanan

                                      For Respondents         : Mr.N.Manokaran




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              1/26
                                                                                 S.A.No.670 of 2017


                                                 JUDGEMENT

The unsuccessful plaintiffs in a suit for specific performance is the

appellants. The suit was dismissed by the Trial Court in respect of the main relief

of specific performance and suit was decreed in respect of alternative relief for

return of advance amount. Aggrieved by the same, the plaintiffs preferred an

appeal and the First Appellate Court also confirmed the findings of the Trial

Court. Hence, the plaintiffs are before this Court.

2. According to the appellants/plaintiffs, the property covered by suit

agreement originally belonged to 1st respondent's husband and father of

respondents 2 to 4 Velusamy. After death of Velusamy, the

respondents/defendants succeeded to his estate and they had been enjoying the

property. The 1st respondent, mother of other respondents was acting as Manager

of the family. The suit sale agreement was entered into by 1st plaintiff and 1st

defendant where under 1st respondent/1st defendant agreed to sell the suit

property to 1st plaintiff for a sale consideration of Rs.1 lakh. The agreement was

entered into by 1st defendant in her capacity as Manager binding shares of minor

defendants. On the date of agreement, a sum of Rs.30,000/- was paid as an

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advance. It was agreed between the parties that balance amount of Rs.70,000/-

should be paid on or before 14.03.2006. Though the appellants were ready and

willing to pay the balance sum of Rs.70,000/- and in spite of several demands,

the respondents failed to complete the sale transaction. Therefore, a legal notice

was issued by the 1st appellant on 01.03.2006 calling upon the 1st defendant to

receive the balance sale consideration and complete the sale transaction. In spite

of the same, the 1st respondent failed to come forward to execute the sale deed.

In these circumstances, the appellants were constrained to file a suit for specific

performance.

3. The respondents filed a written statement wherein it was claimed by

them that on the date of suit sale agreement, yet another agreement christened as

consent deed was entered into between the parties where under the consideration

for sale was mentioned as Rs.1,60,000/-( Rupees one lakh sixty thousand only).

It was averred that a sum of Rs.30,000/- was paid as an advance and appellants

agreed to deposit a sum of Rs.60,000/- in the name of minor respondents 2 to 4

in a nationalized bank and agreed to pay the balance amount of Rs.70,000/-

within 14.03.2006. It was also contended by the respondents that the appellants

burked relationship between the parties. The 1st plaintiff's husband, the 2nd

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plaintiff is the elder brother of Velusamy namely the deceased husband of 1 st

defendant. The respondents also denied the averments in the plaint that 1st

appellant was always ready and willing to perform her part of the contract. It

was specifically pleaded by the respondents that appellants never had shown any

interest to deposit Rs.60,000/- in the name of minor respondents 2 to 4 as agreed

in the consent deed.

4. The 1st respondent filed a separate written statement on behalf of the

minor respondents 2 to 4 wherein it was contended that the agreement was

entered into by 1st respondent on behalf of minors' share without obtaining

sanction from the Court and therefore, the suit for specific performance of the

same was unsustainable.

5. Before the Trial Court, the husband of the 1st appellant was examined as

P.W.1 and the attestor to Ex.A1 has been examined as P.W.2 on behalf of

appellants/plaintiffs. Three documents were marked as Ex.A1 to Ex.A3 on behalf

of the appellants. The 1st defendant was examined as D.W.1 and yet another

attestor to Ex.A1 was examined as D.W.2. On behalf of the

respondents/defendants, 7 documents were marked as Ex.B1 to Ex.B7.

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6. The Trial Court, on appreciation of oral and documentary evidence

available on record, came to the conclusion that as per the consent deed executed

by appellants on the date of suit sale agreement, the consideration agreed was

Rs.1,60,000/- . The appellants having failed to disclose the consent deed were

not entitled to specific performance of the suit sale agreement. Hence, the Trial

Court granted an alternative relief of return of advance amount. Aggrieved by the

same, the appellants preferred an appeal in A.S.No.52 of 2012 on the file of Sub-

ordinate Judge, Kallakurichi. The First Appellate Court came to the conclusion

that consent deed pleaded by respondents was not valid in law and the suit sale

agreement, Ex.A1 was valid and binding. However, the first Appellate Court

came to the conclusion that readiness and willingness of 1 st appellant to complete

the sale transaction was not proved and hence dismissed the appeal by

confirming the decree for return of advance granted by Trial Court. Aggrieved by

the same, the plaintiffs are before this Court.

7. This Court at the time of admission formulated the following substantial

questions of law vide order dated 02.11.2023 and the same reads as follows:-

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“(i) Whether the Courts below are correct in law in its application of Section 16(c) of the Specific Relief Act especially when the appellants have proved their readiness and willingness by issuing legal notice calling upon the respondents to execute the sale deed well within the period provided under Ex.A1, sale agreement ?;

(ii) Whether the Lower Appellate Court is correct in law in refusing to exercise its discretion to grant decree for specific performance especially when the appellants have proved their valid execution of Ex.A1 sale agreement and their readiness to have the sale deed executed?”

8. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants submitted that

the 1st appellant proved her continuous readiness and willingness by issuing pre-

suit notice calling upon the defendants to receive the balance amount and

complete the sale transaction well within the time stipulated in agreement and

the respondents failed to give any reply to the said pre-suit notice. Therefore, the

continuous readiness and willingness on the part of the 1 st appellant was very

well proved and the same has not been properly considered by the First

Appellate Court. In support of his contentions, the learned Senior Counsel had https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

taken this Court to evidence of P.W.1 and P.W.2 and also admissions of D.W.1.

9. The learned counsel for the respondents submitted that except the

averment in the plaint that 1st appellant was always ready and willing to perform

her part of the contract, there is no evidence available on record to prove

continuous readiness and willingness from the date of agreement down to the

date of filing of the suit. Therefore, the first appellate Court was justified in

coming to the conclusion that readiness and willingness was not proved by the

plaintiffs. The learned counsel further submitted that in order to prove readiness

and willingness, the 1st appellant/1st plaintiff not even entered witness box and

subjected herself to cross-examination. Therefore, adverse inference shall be

drawn against the plaintiffs. The learned counsel by taking this Court to the

evidence of D.W.2, another attestor to the Ex.A1 sale agreement, submitted that

evidence of D.W.2 proved another sale agreement between the parties in the

name of consent deed for a higher consideration. The plaintiffs failed to disclose

the same before the Court. Therefore, they are not entitled to discretionary relief

of specific performance.

10. The learned counsel further submitted that admittedly agreement

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mentioned property belonged to 1st respondent's husband Velusamy and on his

death, the property will devolve on respondents/defendants and also mother of

Velusamy and the mother of Velusamy was not made as a party to this suit.

When respondents are not having right over the entire agreement mentioned

property, a decree for specific performance of their share in the agreement

mentioned property is not maintainable in the absence of prayer for partition. In

support of his contentions, the learned counsel relied on following judgments :-

1. Kamal KumarVs Premlata Joshi and others reported in 2019 (3)

SCC 704.

2. Mehboob-Ur-Rehman(Died) through legal representatives Vs

Ashanul Ghani reported in 2019 (19) SCC 415.

3. C.S.Venkatesh Vs A.S.C.Murthy reported in 2020 (3) SCC 280.

4. Shenbagam and others Vs K.K.Rathinavel reported in AIR 2022 SC

1275.

5.U.N.Krishnamurthy (since deceased) through legal representatives

Vs A.M. Krishnamurthy reported in AIR 2022 SC 3361.

6. Jaswinder Kaur(now deceased) through her legal representatives

and others Vs Gurmeet Singh and others reported in 2017 (12) SC 810.

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7.Shanmughasundaram and Others Vs Diravia Nadar( dead) by L.R's

and another reported in 2005 (10) SCC 728.

8. Citadel Fine Pharmaceuticals Vs Ramaniyam Real Estates Private

limited and another reported in 2011 (9) SCC 147.

9. M.Jayaprakash Narayanan Vs Santhammal and others reported in

2018 (1) CTC 701 DB.

10. N.Sundaramurthy Vs Suseeladevi reported in 2017 SCC OnLine

Mad 13557:AIR 2017 Mad 250.

11. Ritu Saxena Vs.J.S.Grover and another reported in 2019 (9) SCC

132.

11. In reply, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellants

submitted that under Section 22 of Specific Relief Act, the Court can grant a

relief of specific performance in respect of the share of the vendors and after

getting the sale deed executed in respect of a share of the vendors, the vendee

can very well file a separate suit seeking partition. In support of his contentions,

the learned Senior Counsel relied on the following judgments.

i) Karthar Singh Vs Harjinder Singh and Others reported in (1990) 3

SCC 517.

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ii) P.C.Varghese Vs Devaki Amma Balambika Devi and others reported

in 2005 AIR SCW 5622.

iii) Kammana Sambamurthy (deceased by L.R.'s) Vs Kalipatnapu

Atchutamma (deceased by L.R) and Others reported in 2010 AIR SCW 6219.

12. As far as execution of Ex.A1 is concerned, it is an admitted fact that

the execution of Ex.A1 is clearly admitted by D.W.1 in cross-examination. Even

in the pleadings, the execution of Ex.A1, suit sale agreement is admitted . The

suit sale agreement is a registered agreement dated 05.05.2005 where under, the

respondents agreed to convey their 1/3rd interest in the agreement mentioned

property in favour of 1st appellant for sale consideration of Rs.1 lakh. As per the

terms of agreement, a sum of Rs.30,000/- was paid as an advance. The time

fixed for performance was till 14.03.2006. Even prior to expiry of the time fixed

in the agreement, notice was issued by 1st appellant under Ex.A2 dated

01.03.2006 calling upon the 1st respondent to receive the balance amount and

execute the sale deed. The said notice was received by 1st respondent under

Ex.A3. However, for the reasons best known to her, she had not replied to the

notice. Then, the suit was filed by the 1st appellant immediately on 17.03.2006

within three days from the date of expiry of time fixed for performance. With

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regard to the financial status of the 1st appellant to pay balance amount due

under the agreement, there is no serious dispute. The 1st respondent failed to

issue any reply to the pre-suit notice issued by the 1 st appellant denying her

financial status or her readiness and willingness to perform her part of the

contract. Likewise, even in the written statement filed by the defendants, the

financial status of the 1st appellant to pay balance amount was not at all

disputed. The main defence raised by the respondents was, on the date of Ex.A1

suit sale agreement, there was a separate transaction where under, the appellants

agreed to purchase the suit property for a higher sale consideration of

Rs.1,60,000/- and a consent deed was executed mentioning the higher sum.

However, the consent deed allegedly executed on the date of suit sale agreement

was not marked. When 2nd appellant was examined as P.W.1, the consent deed

was shown to him. He admitted the signature and the thumb impression of 1 st

appellant available in the consent deed. However, he denied the contents of the

document. The Trial Court only marked the signature and thumb impression as

Ex.A2 and Ex.A3. The entire consent deed has not been marked before the Trial

Court. The respondents, at least during examination of 1st respondent/D.W.1 or

examination of other attestor as D.W.2, could have marked the consent deed

through them. However, no attempt was made to mark the entire consent deed

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before the Court. Therefore, this Court is not in a position to refer to the contents

of the consent deed other than the signature and thumb impression which were

marked. In fact, the Trial Court mistakenly considered the contents of the

consent deed which was not marked and came to the conclusion that there was a

separate transaction on the date of suit sale agreement and therefore, the

appellants were not entitled to specific performance. However, the First

Appellate Court after considering the evidence of D.W.2 came to the conclusion

that the consent deed relied on by the respondents was not valid. In the written

statement, the respondents contended that under the consent deed the appellants

agreed to pay a sum of Rs.1,60,000/-. The attestor to Ex.A1 who was examined

as D.W.2 deposed as if under the terms of consent deed, the appellants agreed to

pay Rs.2 lakhs. The attestor to said consent deed has not been examined by the

respondents. By taking into consideration all these factual aspects, the First

Appellate Court came to the conclusion that consent agreement pleaded by the

respondents was not valid and only the suit sale agreement, Ex.A1 was valid

document. The said factual conclusion reached by the first appellate Court is

based on appreciation of entire evidence available on record and the same need

not be interfered in the absence of any perversity.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

13. As far as readiness and willingness is concerned, the First Appellate

Court came to the conclusion that 1st appellant failed to prove her continuous

readiness and willingness. In the case on hand, the financial capacity of the

appellants to pay balance sum of Rs.70,000/- has not been seriously disputed. In

fact, when D.W.1 was examined, she clearly admitted that 1st appellant called

her over phone and requested her to complete the sale transaction by receiving

the balance sale consideration. Apart from that, even before expiry of time limit

fixed under agreement (14.03.2006), the 1st appellant issued a pre-suit notice on

01.03.2006 calling upon the respondents to complete the sale transaction by

receiving the balance amount. For the pre-suit notice issued by the 1st appellant,

the 1st respondent failed to issue any reply. Thereafter, the suit was filed on

17.03.2006 within three days from the date of expiry of time fixed for

performance. In these circumstances, the 1st appellant had shown her continuous

readiness and willingness to perform her part of the contract from the inception

of the agreement to the date of filing of the suit. It is settled law that plaintiff

who seeks specific performance need not show the coin before the Court. If he is

able to prove, at the relevant point of time, he was in a position to mobilise the

funds to pay balance consideration that is sufficient. In the case on hand, well

prior to the expiry of the time, the 1 st appellant called the 1st respondent to

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receive the balance sale consideration and complete the sale transaction. She also

issued a legal notice well within a time and the 1st respondent failed to issue any

reply for the said legal notice. In these circumstances, the conclusion reached by

the First Appellate Court that 1st appellant failed to prove her continuous

readiness and willingness to perform her part of the contract is contrary to the

evidence available on record and the same is liable to be set aside. Hence, both

the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission are answered in

favour of appellants and against the respondents.

14. The learned counsel for the respondent submitted that respondents are

not entitled to convey the entire 1/3rd share of the Velusamy in the agreement

mentioned property when Velusamy's mother was alive. In this regard, it would

be appropriate to refer to the judgment of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of

Karthar Singh Vs Harjinder Singh and Others reported in (1990) 3 SCC 517.

The relevant observation of the Hon'ble Apex Court regarding the specific

performance of share of the vendor in the agreement mentioned property reads

as follows:-

“6. As regards the difficulty pointed out by the High Court, namely, that the decree of specific performance cannot be granted since the property

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will have to be partitioned, we are of the view that this is not a legal difficulty. Whenever a share in the property is sold the vendee has a right to apply for the partition of the property and get the share demarcated. We also do not see any difficulty in granting specific performance merely because the properties are scattered at different places. There is no law that the properties to be sold must be situated at one place. As regards the apportionment of consideration, since admittedly the appellant and respondent's sister each have half share in the properties, the consideration can easily be reduced by 50 per cent which is what the first appellate Court has rightly done”.

15. In A.Abdul Rashid Khan(Dead) and Others Vs P.A.K.A.Shahul

Hamid and Others reported in 2000 (10) SCC 636 =MANU/SC/2734/2000, the

Hon'ble Apex Court observed as follows:-

"15. Thus we have no hesitation to hold, even where any property is held jointly, and once any party to the contract has agreed to sell such joint property agreement, then, even if other co-sharer has not joined at least to the extent of his share, he is bound to execute,

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

the sale deed. However, in the absence of other co- sharer there could not be any decree of any specified part of the property to the partitioned and possession given. The decree could only be to the extent of transferring the share of the appellants in such property to other such contracting party. In the present case, it is not in dispute that the appellants have 5/6 share in the property. So, the plaintiffs suit for specific performance to the extent of this 5/6th share was rightly decreed by the High Court which requires no interference"

16. In Narayanan Vs Kuppan and others reported in 2011 (2) MWN

(Civil) 548, this Court observed as follows:-

“9. A mere poring over and perusal of the aforesaid judgments would amply make the point clear that even undivided shares could be the subject matter of Agreement to Sell and the only remedy open for such agreement holder is to get the specific share of the proposed seller carved out from the joint property and obtain Sale Deed in respect of the same. As such, I am of the considered view that the First Appellate Court was not right in simply holding that the said Agreement to Sell is bad in law and the First Appellate Court was not justified in reversing the

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judgment and decree of the Trial Court in ordering specific performance”.

17. In view of the law settled by Hon'ble Apex Court and this Court in the

above mentioned case laws, there is no embargo on the court to grant specific

performance of undivided share of the vendor. It is always open to the vendee to

get the sale deed executed as per the decree for specific performance and then

file a suit for partition. The passing of decree for specific performance in respect

of undivided share gives a cause of action for agreement vendee to file a suit for

partition. Because, mere agreement of sale will not create any interest in the

property. Only after passing of decree for specific performance in respect of

undivided share, he acquires interest in the property and consequently, entitled to

maintain a prayer for partition. Therefore, the objection raised by the learned

counsel for the appellants that the decree for specific performance cannot be

granted in respect of undivided share of vendors is also not acceptable to this

Court. In the case on hand, the respondents agreed to convey 1/3rd share of

Velusamy under suit sale agreement. Velusamy died leaving behind respondents

(wife and children) and his mother. The mother of Velusamy, who is having 1/15

(1/5 of 1/3) share in the suit property not joined as contracting party. Her share

represents only a small fraction in the subject matter of agreement. Hence, as per

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decision referred above a specific performance decree can be granted in respect

of respondents' 4/15 share in the property (4/5 of subject matter of agreement).

18. Regarding the plea raised by the respondents/defendants that sale

agreement entered into by 1st respondent would not bind the minor respondents

is concerned, in the sale agreement itself it was specifically mentioned that 1st

respondent entered into agreement so as to bind other respondents, who are her

heirs. When 1st respondent was examined as DW.1, she clearly admitted that

after death of her husband, she has been maintaining minor respondents in her

capacity as mother and she entered into suit sale agreement taking into

consideration future of her minor children. She specifically admitted that suit

sale agreement was entered into to meet her medical expenses and also the

maintenance expenses of her children (minor respondents). The relevant portion

of her admission in cross examination reads as follows:-

“vd; fztu; fhykhdJ gpd; vd; FHe;ijfspd; vjpu;fhyj;ij Kd;dpl;L jhthtpy; cs;s xg;ge;jj;ij vGjpbfhLj;Js;nsd; vd;why; rupjhd;//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ///// nkYk; vd; itj;jpa brytpw;F gzk; njitg;gl;ljhy; xg;ge;jk; Vw;gLj;jpndd;/ vdf;F kUj;Jt bryt[ ghu;gg; jw;F vd; FHe;ijfspd; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

guhkupgg; pwf; hft[k;jhd; jhth xg;ge;jj;ij Vw;gLj;jp bfhLj;njd;/ vdJ tpUg;gj;jpdn; gupy;jhd; jhth xg;ge;jk; Vw;gl;lJ vd;whYk; mjid vGjpbfhLf;f jahuhf cs;nsdh vd;whYk; vdJ kUj;Jt brytpw;fhft[k; vdJ FHe;ijfspd; guhkupgg; pw;fhft[k; xg;ge;jk; Vw;gLj;jpndd;///////////////////////////////////////////////”

19. From the evidence of 1st respondent as DW.1, it is clear she entered

into suit sale agreement to meet her medical expenses and the maintenance

expenses of her minor respondents. Therefore, the suit sale agreement was

entered into by 1st respondent in her capacity as Manager of Hindu joint family

for legal necessity. From the evidence of 1st respondent, it is clear after death of

her husband, her children, who are minors are in her custody. She also admitted

that even during pendency of the suit, the minor respondents are living along

with her. In such circumstances, it can be safely presumed that after death of 1 st

respondent husband, she is acting as Manager of Hindu Joint Family consisting

herself and her minor children. It is settled law mother can act as family manager

of the hindu joint family in the absence of any other adult male member. It is

also very well settled the Manager of the Hindu Joint Family can sell the interest

of the minors in the joint family property to meet legal necessity. In this regard,

useful reference may be made to the following decisions of the Hon'ble Apex https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

Court.

20. In Sri Narayan Bal and Others Vs Sridhar Sutar and Others

reported in (1996) 8 SCC 54, the Hon'ble Apex Court, while dealing with the

applicability of Section 8 of Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956

observed as follows:-

“5. With regard to the undivided interest of the Hindu minor in joint family property, the provisions afore- culled are beads of the same string and need be viewed in a single glimpse, simultaneously in conjunction with each other. Each provisions, and in particular Section 8, cannot be viewed in isolation. If read together the intent of the legislature in this beneficial legislation becomes manifest. Ordinarily the law does not envisage a natural guardian of the undivided interest of a Hindu minor in joint family property. The natural guardian of the property of a Hindu minor, other than the undivided interest in joint family property, is alone contemplated under Section 8, whereunder his powers and duties are defined. Section 12 carves out an exception to the rule that should there be no adult member of the joint family in management of the joint family property, in which the minor has an undivided interest, a guardian may be appointed; but ordinarily no

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guardian shall be appointed for such undivided interest of the minor. The adult member of the family in the management of the Joint Hindu Family property may be a male or a female, not necessarily the Karta. The power of the High Court otherwise to appoint a guardian, in situations justifying, has been preserved. This is the legislative scheme on the subject. Under Section 8 a natural guardian of the property of the Hindu minor, before he disposes of any immovable property of the minor, must seek permission of the court. But since there need be no natural guardian for the minor's undivided interest in the joint family property, as provided under sections 6 and 12 of the Act, the previous permission of the Court under Section 8 for disposing of the undivided interest of the minor in the joint family property is not required. The joint Hindu family by itself is a legal entity capable of acting through its Karta and other adult members of the family in management of the joint Hindu family property. Thus section 8 in view of the express terms of Sections 6 and 12, would not be applicable where a joint Hindu family property is sold/disposed of by the Karta involving an undivided interest of the minor in the said joint Hindu family property. The question posed at the outset therefore is so answered”.

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21. In Raj Kumar Raghubanchmani Prasad Narain Singh Vs Ambica

Prasad Singh (Dead) by Lawyers and Others reported in 1970 (3) SCC 350,

the Hon'ble Apex Court, while dealing with the power of alienation available to

the Manager of Hindu joint family observed as follows:-

"In any event, an alienation by the Manager of the

Hindu joint family even without legal necessity is voidable

and not void".

22. Therefore, it is settled law that the Manager of the Hindu joint family

is entitled to sell the property of the Hindu joint family including the share of

minor members for legal necessity and for benefit of the family. In the case on

hand, the admission of 1st respondent as D.W.1 clearly establish the sale

agreement was entered into to meet her medical expenses and maintenance of

the minor respondents. In such circumstances, there is no difficulty in coming to

the conclusion that sale agreement was entered into for legal necessity and for

benefit of the joint family. Therefore, the sale agreement is valid and it is binding

on the minor respondents. It is also settled law that Section 8 of Hindu Minority

and Guardianship Act, 1956 is not applicable to the interest of the minor in

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Hindu joint family.

23. Even assuming Section 8 of said Act is applicable to the case on hand,

still, if the property of the minor is alienated by natural guardian (Mother in this

case, in the absence of father) without permission of the Court, the consequence

would be the sale transaction is voidable at the option of minor and not void. In

the case on hand, till date the minor respondents have not exercised their option

of avoiding sale transaction. The plea raised by the 1st respondent in the written

statement filed on behalf of minors would not amount to exercise of option by

the minors. The law requires minor shall exercise option after attaining majority

within three years. In the absence of such exercise of option by the minors, the

sale transaction entered into by 1st respondent is binding on the minor's shares.

Therefore, the plea raised by the 1st respondent as if the sale agreement will not

bind share of minors is without any substance and the same is liable to be

rejected.

24. In view of the answers given to the substantial questions of law

framed at the time of admission, the second appeal stands allowed.

a) by setting aside the judgment and decree dated 30.06.2014 passed in

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A.S.No.52 of 2012 on the file of Sub-Ordinate Judge at Kallakurichi confirming

the judgment and decree dated 18.01.2012 passed in O.S.No.226 of 2006 on

the file of I Additional District Munsif Court, Kallakurichi.

b) the suit is decreed in respect of main relief for specific performance in

so far as interest of respondents over the agreement mentioned property namely

4/15 share instead of 1/3(5/15) as agreed in the agreement.

c) In the above facts and circumstances of the case, there will be no order

as to costs.

d) Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.




                                                                                        22.12.2023
              Index        : Yes
              Internet     : Yes
              Neutral Citation Case        : Yes
              nr



              To

              1.The learned Sub-Ordinate Judge, Kallakurichi


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2.The learned I Additional District Munsif Judge, Kallakurichi.

S.SOUNTHAR, J.

nr

and

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22.12.2023

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

 
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