BEANT SINGH Vs. JASKARANJIT KAUR SANDHU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is plaintiff's second appeal challenging the judgment and decrees of the Lower Appellate Court whereby appeal filed by the defendant-respondents was accepted against the judgment and decree of the trial Court and the decree passed in favour of the appellant for recovery was set aside and suit of the plaintiff-appellant was ordered to be dismissed.

(2.) As per the averments made in the suit, the plaintiff-appellant who is father-in-law of respondent No. 1 alleged that respondent No. 2 Amarjit Singh, who is the real uncle of respondent No. 1, came with a proposal for the marriage of his niece who was settled in Canada and the marriage between Gurmeet Singh, his son, and Jaskaranjit Kaurrespondent No. 1 was settled. As per the settlement, the marriage expenses were to be borne by the plaintiff- appellant and he was to give gold ornaments weighing 10 tolas and some good silk clothes to respondent No. 1 and was to pay in cash a sum of Rs. 4,00,000/- at the time of registration of the marriage. After the marriage, Gurmeet Singh was to shift to Canada to reside with respondent No. 1. It was alleged that the appellant arranged a sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- and the marriage between Gurmeet Singh and respondent No. 1 was solemnized on 26.12.1994. After the registration of marriage, the sum of Rs. 4,00,000/- as agreed, was given to respondents No. 1 and 2. The respondents promised that on reaching Canada, they would make necessary arrangement for calling Gurmeet Singh to Canada within a year. The defendant-respondents No. 1 and 2 went away to Canada but later on did not call Gurmeet Singh son of the plaintiff and the plaintiff was cheated of Rs. 5,00,000/-. Hence, the present suit for recovery of Rs. 5,00,000/- with costs and interest was filed.

(3.) The suit was contested by the respondents. Marriage of respondent No. 1 with Gurmeet Singh, son of the plaintiff was admitted. However, receipt of any amount of Rs. 4,00,000/- and gold ornaments was denied. It was denied that Gurmeet Singh was to be called to Canada for settlement. It was further contended that in fact after the marriage, respondent No. 1 wanted to settle in India with Gurmeet Singh, son of the plaintiff Beant Singh but the appellant stopped her from coming to India and stated that Gurmeet Singh should be called to Canada for employment as there were better prospects for him in Canada. For that purpose, Gurmeet Singh was called in the embassy for interview but he could not get through the interview and therefore, he was denied visa. It was further contended by the respondents that respondent No. 1 was always ready and willing to settle with Gurmeet Singh in India or in Canada as per the liking of the plaintiff-appellant. Denying their liability to pay a sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- to the plaintiff, the defendants prayed for dismissal of the suit.