Section 53. Liability of party preventing event on which contract is to take effect

Category of Bare Act Name of the Act Year of Promulgation
Civil Laws Indian Contract Act, 1872 1872
Act Number Enactment Date Chapter Number
9 1872-04-25 4
Chapter Title Ministry Department
Of the performance of contracts which must be performed Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department Department of Law and Legislative Affairs

When a contract contains reciprocal promises and one party to the contract prevents the other from performing his promise, the contract becomes voidable at the option of the party so prevented; and he is entitled to compensation 1from the other party for any loss which he may sustain in consequence of the non-performance of the contract.

Illustration

A and B contract that B shall execute certain work for A for a thousand rupees. B is ready and willing to execute the work accordingly, but A prevents him from doing so. The contract is voidable at the option of B; and, if he elects to rescind it, he is entitled to recover from A compensation for any loss which he has incurred by its non-performance.

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 1.See section 73, infra.