LAL BHAGWANT SINGH Vs. KISHEN DAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Shortly stated, the facts giving rise to these three appeals are these:

(2.) Hari Kishen Das made a selection of eight villages, and deeds of sale and relinquishment in respect of them were duly prepared and executed on 4-7-1933. Before they could be presented for registration, the parties received information that a notification for assumption by the Court of Wards of the management of the talukdar's estate had been issued and that it was likely to render the conveyances ineffectual. In view of the impending notification the sale transaction fell through and a refund was obtained of the amount spent on the stamp papers. On 20-1-1934 the Court of Wards, decided that it would not take the estate under its supervision. Hari Kishen Das then revived his demand against the judgment-debtor for the completion of the sale deeds but the judgment-debtor did not pay any heed to his request with the result that on 26-5-1934 he made an application for execution of the compromise decree. To the execution of this decree a number of objections were raised by Raghuraj Singh. Before the disposal of these objections the U. P. Agriculturists' Relief Act (27 of 1934). and the U. P. Encumbered Estates Act (25 of 1934) came into operation. Under the provisions of Act 27 of 1934, the judgment-debtor became entitled to the amendment of the decree by reduction of interest, and for payment of the decretal sum in instalments. Under the other Act, a landlord debtor whose property was encumbered could apply to the Court for the administration of his estate for liquidation of his debts. Raghuraj Singh was not slow in seeking the aid of these laws to reduce the amount of his indebtedness and to save his property. He made applications under both the Acts. In the application under the Relief Act he prayed for the scaling down of the amount of the decree and for instalments. In the application under S. 4, Encumbered Estates Act, he asked for liquidation of his debts by the Civil Judge.

(3.) On 11-1-1936 the Civil Judge of Sitapur altered the decretal amount of Rs. 3,88,300-2-6 to Rs. 3,76,790-4-3 exclusive of costs and future interest and directed Raghuraj Singh to pay the money in twelve equal annual instalments payable in the month of December of each year, the first instalment being payable, in December 1936, and also provided that in the case of default in payment of three instalments, the whole amount then due would become immediately payable. Against this order, Hari Krishen Das filed an application in revision to the Chief Court and was successful in having the amended decree set aside on 15-2-1938.