R. K. Saxena
Vs. Delhi Development Authority [2001] Insc
191 (30 March 2001)
M.B.
Shah & S.N. Variava S. N. Variava, J.
Leave
granted.
Heard
parties.
L.I.T.J
This
Appeal is against an Order dated 29th February, 2000 by which the Writ Petition filed by the Appellant has been
dismissed. Briefly stated the facts are as follows:
The
Respondent held an auction sale on 28th November, 1995. At this auction sale the Appellant
was the highest bidder. In terms of cause was shown then the Chairman could extend time up to a maximum period
of 180 days, subject to payment of interest on the balance amount at the rate
of 18% per annum. The Demand Letter was issued on 3rd January, 1996. The balance sum of Rs. 19,63,545/- had to be paid, in
terms of the auction sale, within 60 days of the said letter. The Appellant
deposited a sum of Rs. 5,50,000/- on 19th February, 1996. The Appellant then asked for
extension of time to make the balance payment. By a letter dated 29th March,
1996 the Appellant was granted extension of time subject to payment of interest
at the rate of 18% per annum.
Thereafter
the Appellant again asked for extension of time by a letter dated 2nd July, 1996. The extension was granted by a
letter dated 8th
August, 1996. It must
be mentioned that by this date the Appellant had deposited sums of Rs. 1,50,000/-
on 25th June, 1996, Rs. 4,00,000/- on 29th August, 1996 and Rs. 1,40,000/- on
29th August, 1996.
By a
letter dated 2nd
September, 1996 the
Appellant again sought an extension of time. To this letter there was no reply.
The Appellant thereafter paid sums of Rs. 1,40,000/- on 17th September, 1996,
Rs. 3,10,000/- on 20th September, 1996, Rs. 1,39,000/- on 27th September, 1996
and Rs. 1,34,500/- on 27th September, 1996. All these payments, even though,
made beyond time were accepted by the Respondent. The Appellant had now paid
the entire amount payable in respect of that plot. Thereafter the Appellant
also paid interest on the delayed amounts at the rate of 25% per annum. This
amount was also accepted by the Respondent.
In
spite of having accepted the delayed payments the plot was not delivered to the
Appellant. The Appellant, therefore, sent legal notices on 22nd June, 1999 and on 29th June, 1999. Only after receipt of the legal notices the Respondent by
letter dated 1st July, 1999 cancel the allotment and forfeit the earnest money
of Rs. 6,54,500/-.
The
Appellant filed a Writ Petition which came to be dismissed by the impugned
Order dated 29th
February, 2000.
The
High Court held that after the expiry of the period the Appellant could not
have deposited the balance amount unilaterally and without any demand being
issued to him.
The
High Court held that payments made after the extended date were not valid and
legal tender of money in accordance with law. On this basis the High Court
refused to grant any relief to the Appellant.
In our
view, the Order of the High Court cannot be sustained. To be noted that by 27th September, 1996 the entire amount payable for the
plot had been deposited and delay in payment was less than 30 days. Thereafter
in January 1997 interest at the rate of 25% per annum, on delayed payments, was
also paid. Both the delayed payments and the interest amount were accepted by
the Respondent.
The
moment those payments were accepted there was deemed extension of time. It is
only after 1-1/2 years i.e. after the legal notices were served by the
Appellant that the allotment is cancelled by the letter dated 1st July, 1999, in our view, on the facts of this
case, i.e. after accepting the delayed payments and interest Respondent could
not have cancelled the allotment.
In the
circumstances of this case, the impugned Order is set aside. The letter of
cancellation is quashed. The Respondent is directed to allot, to the Appellant,
the plot purchased by him. The Appeal stands disposed of accordingly. There
will be no Order as to costs.
J. (M.
B. SHAH) J. (S. N. VARIAVA) March 30, 2001.
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