Ishwar (D) vs Bhim Singh 2024 INSC 651 – S 28 Specific Relief Act – Execution Court

Specific Relief Act,1963; Section 28– An application under Section 28 of the 1963 Act, either for recission of contract or for extension of time, can be entertained and decided by the Execution Court provided it is the Court which passed the decree in terms of Section 37 of the CPC- An application seeking rescission of contract, or extension of time, under Section 28 (1) of the 1963 Act, must be decided as an application in the original suit wherein the decree was passed even though the suit has been disposed of -Even if the Execution Court is the Court of first instance with reference to the suit wherein the decree under execution was passed, it must transfer the application filed under Section 28 to the file of the suit before dealing with it. (Para 18-22) The power to rescind the contract under Section 28 of the 1963 Act is discretionary in nature and is to do complete justice to the parties. The Court does not cease to have the power to extend the time even though the decree may have directed that payment of balance price is to be made by a certain date. While exercising discretion in this regard, the Court is required to take into account facts of the case so as to ascertain whether the default was intentional or not. If there is a bona fide reason for the delay/ default, such as where there appears no fault on the part of the decree holder, the Court may refuse to rescind the contract and may extend the time for deposit of the defaulted amount. (Para 25)

Constitution of India, 1950; Article 136- The jurisdiction of Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution is a discretionary jurisdiction to advance the cause of justice. The Court does not exercise its jurisdiction under Article 136 only because it is lawful to do so . For the purpose of doing complete justice to the parties, the Court may not interfere with the order even if it suffers from some legal error. Not only that, the Court may deny relief to a party having regard to its conduct and may, in a given situation, mould the relief to do complete justice to the parties. (Para 24)

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