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2022 DIGILAW 930 (RAJ)

Ghansi S/o Late Shri Godu Gurjar v. Narenda Kumar Jain S/o Shri Ummedmal Jain

2022-03-22

SUDESH BANSAL

body2022
JUDGMENT : SUDESH BANSAL, J. 1. By way of this appeal, Appellant-defendant No. 1 has assailed the order dated 30.01.2018 whereby and whereunder the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge No. 19, (Head-quarter Sanganer), Jaipur Metropolitan, decreed the Civil Suit No. 93/2017 according to the compromise and a decree for specific performance was passed in favour of respondent No. 1/plaintiff and against the appellant and respondent No. 2 (defendant Nos. 1 and 2). 2. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that though as per Section 96(3) CPC, no appeal shall lie from the decree passed by the court with consent of parties, however, the legislature has added provision of Order 43 Rule 1/A w.e.f. 01.02.1974 in the Code of Civil Procedure and as per this provision, appellant is entitled to challenge the impugned decree passed on the basis of a compromise on the ground that the compromise should or should not have been recorded. Counsel for the appellant contends that the compromise is not lawful and further fraud has been played with the appellant by the respondents (plaintiff and defendant No. 2). Respondents were in connivance against the appellant and have succeeded in procuring the decree dated 30.01.2018, on the basis of compromise. The compromise & the order passed on the basis of compromise deed are illegal and contrary to law and also suffer by fraud and not acceptable to appellant. 3. Learned counsel for the appellant contends that the appellant could have also challenged the compromise before the trial court by virtue of proviso of Order 23 Rule 3 but appellant has a right to assail the compromise order by way of appeal also. The appellant has opted the remedy of appeal which should be entertained, heard and decided on merits. In support of his contentions, learned counsel for the appellant has placed reliance on the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered in case of Banwari Lal vs. Smt. Chando Devi, (1993) 1 SCC 581 . 4. Since there is a delay of about 2 years and 8 months in filing this appeal, an application (No. 01/2021) under Section 5 of Limitation Act, has been filed by appellant. Respondent No. 01/plaintiff has filed reply to the application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act and opposed the same. 4. Since there is a delay of about 2 years and 8 months in filing this appeal, an application (No. 01/2021) under Section 5 of Limitation Act, has been filed by appellant. Respondent No. 01/plaintiff has filed reply to the application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act and opposed the same. The counsel for respondent No. 2/defendant No. 2 supported the stand of respondent No. 1/plaintiff and orally opposed the application for seeking condonation of delay. 5. Appellant has also filed an another application (2/2021) under Section 149 of CPC, to make up the deficit court fees and to condone the delay in filing deficit court fees. 6. Appellant has also filed other two applications (01/2022 and 02/2022) under Order 41 Rule 27 CPC to produce certain additional documents on record for consideration at the time of hearing this appeal. The respondent-plaintiff has filed reply to one of the application. 7. This court issued notices to respondents and after service of notices, both respondents have appeared. 8. The record of trial court has also been summoned. 9. Heard counsel for both parties in detail, perused the impugned order dated 30.1.2018, the compromise deed and the other documents and material available on record. 10. The brief facts of case are that the appellant was khatedar and possession holder of agriculture land bearing khasra No. 35 at Village Teelawal, Sanganer, Jaipur over an area of 16.664 aer. The appellant at one point of time executed registered sale deed dated 10.03.2011 in favour of respondent No. 2 against a sum of Rs. 76,91,200/- but later on the sale deed was amended on 13.03.2011, part of sale consideration of Rs. 42,75,200/- was refunded to the respondent No. 2. Thereafter due to some brawl between appellant and his sons for execution of the sale deed, the appellant and respondent No. 2, executed an another agreement of consent deed dated 14.3.2011, through which they agreed to cancel the sale and agreed to refund the remaining balance sale amount. According to appellant, he has refunded the balance sale amount to respondent No. 2. The respondent No. 2 assured him to cancel the sale deed. The appellant never entered into any oral agreement or written agreement to sale his land to respondent No. 01-plaintiff nor received any amount of sale consideration from him. 11. According to appellant, he has refunded the balance sale amount to respondent No. 2. The respondent No. 2 assured him to cancel the sale deed. The appellant never entered into any oral agreement or written agreement to sale his land to respondent No. 01-plaintiff nor received any amount of sale consideration from him. 11. The respondent No. 1 filed a civil suit for specific performance and permanent injunction against the appellant and respondent No. 2 herein. The suit was filed on 10.11.2017. In this suit, the respondent No. 1 referred that appellant had orally agreed to sale his land to the respondent No. 1 against Rs. 7,50,000/- in September 2005 and out of total sale consideration, the appellant had received Rs. 6,00,000/- now only Rs. 1,50,000/- is due to be paid against part of sale consideration. In this suit it was also mentioned that, in order to frustrate the oral agreement to sale, the appellant had executed a registered sale deed dated 10.03.2011 in favour of respondent No. 2. In fact, this sale deed dated 10.03.2011 (corrigendum deed dated 13.03.2011) is fictitious and ostentatious which is void. In the plaint, only valuation of oral agreement to sale was made and prayer was made only for specific performance with permanent injunction. Neither any valuation of declaring the sale deed dated 10.03.2011 was made nor any prayer to declare the sale deed null and void was made. Notices of plaint were issued to both defendants (appellant and respondent No. 2). Notice upon appellant was not served, however, advocate who appeared for respondent No. 2 also gave appearance for appellant as well and a compromise alleged to be entered into between the appellant, respondent No. 1 and respondent No. 2, was produced on record on 03.01.2018 and on the basis of said compromise, the civil suit was decreed against the appellant vide judgment and order dated 30.01.2018, which is impugned herein. 12. The appellant has assailed this compromise as well as the judgment and order dated 30.01-2018, passed on the basis of compromise on the following grounds: (I) Appellant is an illiterate and rustic villager of 85 years old and both the respondents have entered into a connivance against him and got decreed the suit against appellant on the basis of compromise. The appellant has assailed this compromise as well as the judgment and order dated 30.01-2018, passed on the basis of compromise on the following grounds: (I) Appellant is an illiterate and rustic villager of 85 years old and both the respondents have entered into a connivance against him and got decreed the suit against appellant on the basis of compromise. In fact appellant never entered into any such compromise with the respondent No. 1 nor ever agreed to sale his land to respondent No. 1 nor received any sale consideration of Rs. 6,00,00/- nor received Rs. 1,50,000/- earlier in compliance of compromise. (II) Appellant signed the papers under the impression of cancellation of his sale deed dated 10.03.2011 with respondent No. 2, for which both had agreed under the consent agreement dated 14.03.2011, to cancel the sale deed but later on it revealed to appellant that in fact respondent No. 2, having connivance with the plaintiff (respondent No. 1) have got executed the compromise deed before the court and got executed sale deed dated 23.04.2018, in favour of respondent No. 1 before the Sub-Registrar. The appellant had no knowledge about the present civil suit for specific performance filed by respondent No. 1 against the appellant, and he never executed such compromise before the court and the same is result of fraud and connivance played by the respondent Nos. 1 and 2 against the appellant in order to grab his land. (III) It is highly impossible and impracticable as at one hand appellant had agreed to cancel the sale deed dated 10.03.2011 for amounting sale consideration of Rs. 76,91,200/- in favour of respondent No. 2 and had returned the sale amount to him, on the other hand appellant would agree to sale his land to respondent No. 1 against an oral agreement to sale that too for total against Rs. 7,50,00/-. (IV) The compromise deed is neither lawful nor should have been attested or executed in the manner it has been done. (V) The entire proceedings of execution, attestation of compromise deed before the court, passing the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 by the court and getting sale deed registered by the appellant in favour of respondent No. 1 is sheer outcome of the fraud played by the respondent Nos. (V) The entire proceedings of execution, attestation of compromise deed before the court, passing the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 by the court and getting sale deed registered by the appellant in favour of respondent No. 1 is sheer outcome of the fraud played by the respondent Nos. 1 and 2 having collusion and connivance with each other against the appellant with a malice intention to grab the land of appellant without making any payment of sale consideration. (VI) Appellant lodged FIR against respondent Nos. 1 and 2 for entering into collusion and connivance against appellant but the police submitted final negative report treating the case as of civil nature. (VII) Appellant is having actual possession over his land and when came to know about the impugned judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 passed on the basis of a false compromise deed, is challenging the same by way of present appeal. (VIII) The judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 is wholly being procured by playing fraud undue influence and the same is non est and nullity. (IX) Appellant came to know about the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 passed on the basis of compromise, in month of October 2020 and the delay in filling the appeal is for want of knowledge of actual facts and about judgment and decree and also of sale deed dated 23.04.2018. (X) Appellant has prayed to condone the delay in filing the appeal and to set aside the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 as also the registered sale deed dated 23.04.2018, executed in favour of respondent No. 1 in pursuance of judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 and to declare the same as void ab initio or non est. 13. Respondent No. 1 has filed reply to the application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act and has also opposed the grounds of first appeal. It has been contended that the appellant himself signed the compromise deed, appeared before the trial court to attest the compromise and the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 was passed with his consent on the basis of compromise deed. The appellant had received Rs. 6,00,000/- in installment prior to filing of the suit and after the compromise, has received Rs. 1,50,000/- and thereafter has executed sale deed dated 23.04.2018, before the Sub-Registrar. The mutation of land has also been opened in the name of respondent No. 1-plaintiff in the year 2020. The appellant had received Rs. 6,00,000/- in installment prior to filing of the suit and after the compromise, has received Rs. 1,50,000/- and thereafter has executed sale deed dated 23.04.2018, before the Sub-Registrar. The mutation of land has also been opened in the name of respondent No. 1-plaintiff in the year 2020. The delayed challenged to the compromise deed and the judgment and decree dated 30.01.2018, is malicious on the part of appellant which is not permissible. Counsel for respondent No. 1 has placed reliance on the judgments of Hon’ble the Supreme Court Pushapa Devi Bhagat (D) though LRs. Rajinder Singh and Others, 2006 (5) SCC 566 , Triloki Nath Singh vs. Anirudh Singh (D) through LRs. 2020 (6) SCC 629 . 14. The respondent No. 2 has supported the stand of respondent No. 1 to contend that appellant had sold land to respondent No. 1 in 2005. The counsel for the respondent No. 2 contended that though the appellant made sale deed dated 10.03.2021, in favour of respondent No. 2 against sale consideration of Rs. 76,91,200/- but the same was void ab initio. Counsel for respondent No. 2 contended that appellant executed the compromise deed and the judgment and order dated 30.01.2018 was passed in his presence and with his consent. He contended that delay in filing appeal is not liable to be condoned. 15. Having heard the arguments of learned counsels for both parties in detail and after perusal of material on record, this court is of prima facie opinion that in facts and circumstances of the present case, several issues related to facts and law have cropped up in the present matter which require consideration in detail for adjudication. Firstly, appellant has candidly denied any oral agreement to sale with respondent No. 1 and has also denied to receive any amount of sale consideration of Rs. 7,50,000/-. The theory of oral agreement to sale and receiving Rs. 6,00,000/- prior to suit (unstamped receipt dated 11.11.2008, is available on record) do not inspire confidence. There is no proof on record to make payment of Rs. 1,50,000/- through cheque to the appellant, pursuant to the compromise deed. Appellant is an old and illiterate person. At one hand he sold his land to respondent No. 2 against Rs. 6,00,000/- prior to suit (unstamped receipt dated 11.11.2008, is available on record) do not inspire confidence. There is no proof on record to make payment of Rs. 1,50,000/- through cheque to the appellant, pursuant to the compromise deed. Appellant is an old and illiterate person. At one hand he sold his land to respondent No. 2 against Rs. 76,91,200/- vide sale deed dated 10.03.2011 (which was agreed to be canceled) and on the other hand, appellant had agreed to sale his land to respondent No. 01 against Rs. 7,50,000/- only. This creates suspicion above the correctness of compromise deed. The explanation of appellant is that he signed the compromise deed and appeared before the court as well as Sub-Registrar, under the impression that his sale deed with respondent No. 2 dated 10.03.2011 was to be canceled as per their consent agreement dated 14.03.2011, because of having family brawl with his sons, cannot be disbelieved at this stage. The contention of appellant that he has refunded the sale consideration of Rs. 76,91,200/- to respondent No. 2 and the sale deed dated 10.03.2011, is a void document also requires consideration. Notices of appellant were never served upon him, however, his advocate appeared on next day and appellant agreed to sale his land to the respondent No. 1 by way of compromise deed that too only against Rs. 7,50,000/- prima facie do not seem to be a genuine, more particularly when appellant candidly denies such compromise deed and alleges it to be suffered with fraud, collusion and connivance of respondent Nos. 1 & 2. The legality of compromise is also in question. There are several other multiple reasons due to which this court is of view that the appellant should be given an opportunity to assail the compromise deed and judgment and order dated 30.1.2018, passed on the basis of such compromise, so as to examine all the issues of facts and law in the present appeal. 16. As far as, delay in filing this appeal is concerned, it has been claimed that appellant is an illiterate and old person and belongs to the rural area. The factum of execution of compromise deed and passing decree for specific performance against him on the basis of compromise deed was not in his knowledge. According to the appellant he came to know about such proceedings in October 2020. The factum of execution of compromise deed and passing decree for specific performance against him on the basis of compromise deed was not in his knowledge. According to the appellant he came to know about such proceedings in October 2020. The appellant has assigned reasons for want of knowledge of the actual facts about the compromise deed, impugned judgment and the sale deed in his application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. Respondent No. 1, in reply to the application has not emphasized as to how the delay on the part of appellant is malicious. It is cardinal principle of law that unless and until, mala-fides are writ large, the delay ordinarily should be condoned taking a liberal view of the term “sufficient cause.” The length of delay is not that much important as the reason assigned to explain the delay. In the present case, appellant is challenging the impugned decree passed on the basis of compromise, alleging the compromise deed to be suffered by fraud, misrepresentation and due to the collusion/connivance of both the respondents against the appellant. The purpose of limitation is not to scuttle the right of parties. The judicial courts are meant to advance the substantial justice and to adjudicate the rights of parties on merits, instead throwing litigation on technical grounds. This court can rely on the principle of law as propounded by the Supreme Court in case of N. Balakrishnan vs. M. Krishnamurthy, (1998) 7 SCC 123 , the relevant portions of judgment in Paras 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are reproduced herein: “The primary function of a court is to adjudicate the dispute between the parties and to advance substantial justice. The time-limit fixed for approaching the court in different situations is not because on the expiry of such time a bad cause would transform into a good cause. Rules of limitation are not meant to destroy the rights of parties. They are meant to see that parties do not resort to dilatory tactics, but seek their remedy promptly. The object of providing a legal remedy is to repair the damaged caused by reason of legal injury. The law of limitation fixes a lifespan for such legal remedy for the redress of the legal injury so suffered. The law of limitation is thus founded on public policy. The object of providing a legal remedy is to repair the damaged caused by reason of legal injury. The law of limitation fixes a lifespan for such legal remedy for the redress of the legal injury so suffered. The law of limitation is thus founded on public policy. It is enshrined in the maxim interest reipublicae up silt finsi littium (it is for the general welfare that a period be put to litigation). Rules of limitation are not meant to destroy the rights of the parties. They are meant to see that parties do not resort to dilatory tactics but seek their remedy promptly. The idea is that every legal remedy must be kept alive for a legislatively fixed period of time.” “Condonation of delay is a matter of discretion of the court. Section 5 of the Limitation Act does not say that such discretion can be exercised only if the delay is within a certain limit. Length of delay is not matter, acceptability of the explanation is the only criterion. Sometimes delay of the shortest range may be un-condonable due to a want of acceptable explanation whereas in certain other cases, delay of a very long range can be condoned as the explanation thereof is satisfactory. In every case of delay, there can be some lapse on the part of the litigant concerned. That alone is not enough to turn down his plea and to shut the door against him. If the explanation does not smack of mala-fides or it is not put forth as part of a dilatory strategy, the court must show utmost consideration to the suitor. But when there is reasonable ground to think that the delay was occasioned by the party deliberately to gain time, then the court should lean against acceptance of the explanation. A court knows that refusal to condone delay would result in foreclosing a suitor from putting forth his cause. There is no presumption that delay in approaching the court is always deliberate. The words “sufficient cause” under Section 5 of the Limitation Act should receive a liberal construction so as to advance substantial justice.” 17. A court knows that refusal to condone delay would result in foreclosing a suitor from putting forth his cause. There is no presumption that delay in approaching the court is always deliberate. The words “sufficient cause” under Section 5 of the Limitation Act should receive a liberal construction so as to advance substantial justice.” 17. Considering the nature of the dispute between parties relating to the immovable property, looking to the status of parties, factum of fraud and connivance and reasons for explaining the delay, the period of delay of near about 2 years and 8 months in filing this appeal deserves to be condoned in the interest of justice. The documents sought to be produced by parties, can be considered and examined at the time of hearing of the appeal. Thus, following orders are passed: (A) Application (No. 1/2021) filed under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, is hereby allowed and delay in filing first appeal is condoned. (B) Application (No. 2/2021) filed under Section 149 CPC, is allowed and the deficit court fees paid by appellant is taken on record, delay in order to make up the deficit court fees is condoned. (C) The appeal is admitted for hearing. (D) Additional documents placed on record by both parties shall be considered and examined at the time of hearing of the appeal subject to their admissibility and relevancy with the issues involved herein, accordingly, applications (No. 01/2022, 02/2022) and other applications in this regard are disposed of. (E) Until final hearing of the appeal, both the parties shall maintain status quo as to alienation and possession in relation to the property in question as it exists today and accordingly the stay application stands disposed of. (F) Any observations/findings given in the present order would not affect the case of either of the parties at the time of hearing, the appeal on merits and all the contentions of both the parties including factual and legal, would remain open to be addressed and examined at the time of hearing the appeal finally. (G) Either of the parties may apply for expedite hearing of the appeal, if so desire.