LAKSHMAN PRASAD Vs. JOHN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These consolidated appeals from a decree of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad dated 3 August 1938, which varied a decree of the Subordinate Judge at Agra dated 27 April 1981, raise the question whether the appellant Lakshman Prasad (who will be called "the appellant") is entitled as against the respondents, the holders of debentures issued by an Indian limited company known as Agra United Mills, Ltd., and herein called "the company", to any and what priority over such debentures in respect of moneys which had been borrowed from him by the receiver appointed in a suit brought by such respondents to enforce their security. The Subordinate Judge held the appellant entitled to priority in respect of all the property subject to the charge, whether fixed or floating, created in favour of the debentures: the High Court limited the priority to the property subject to the floating charge. The appellant seeks to restore the order of the Subordinate Judge, the respondents to deprive him of his priority even in respect of the property subject to the floating charge.

(2.) The company was formed in the year 1920 with a nominal capital of Rs. 160,00,000, of which Rs. 65,00,000 were issued, for the purpose of working certain cotton and other mills which had previously belonged to the respondents or some of them. In the same year, the company issued 200 first mortgage debentures of Rs. 26,000 each bearing interest at 8 per cent, per annum. These debentures, which were in common form, were secured by and trust deed dated 8 August 1928, which contained (a) a specific charge on certain immovable and other assets of the company, and (b) a floating charge on the test of its property and undertaking. In and after the year 1926, the company also obtained financial assistance from the appellant's father, Rai Bahadur Seth Suraj Bhan (whose heir and legal representative he is), under the terms of an agreement dated 9 November 1928. This agreement, which was of an elaborate character, provided (inter alia) for the lender having a lien for moneys advanced by him on raw materials in the company's godowns and other materials, products and property as therein specified.

(3.) In 1927 the trustees of the debenture trust deed filed a suit (No. 84 of 1927) in the Court of the Subordinate Judge at Agra to enforce this security and in that suit on 30 November 1927, one, P. N. Rains, was on the application of the plaintiff trustees appointed receiver of the property and undertaking of the company. The case was presented to the Judge, and was accepted by him, as one of grave urgency, in which the appointment of a receiver was necessary for the protection of the property. It was alleged that the company had not been able to pay its staff and mill-hands for at least three months and that the mill hands had therefore gone on strike, creating a disturbance which threatened the safety of the company's property. On the following day, 1 December 1927, upon a report made by the receiver the Court made a further order in these terms: "The Mill-hands have to be paid and from the letter of the District Magistrate it appears that the Mill-hands have been promised their dues, and if they do not get their salaries then there is every chance of a riot and disturbance at the Mill-hands. The Mills are about to file an appeal. In case Messrs Suraj Bhan and Kunwar Ganesh Sinha decline to pay the money which they promised, than you can sell such properties which is admittedly theirs or raise money on such terms as you think proper. The plaintiffs should come forward to cooperate with you. The money which will be paid by Messrs, Suraj Bhan and Kunwar Ganesh Singh or any one else will confer on them the lien which the Mill-hands have on the property which is in the Mill-promises." It appears that Messrs. Suraj Bhan and Kunwar Ganesh Sinha did "decline to pay the money which they promised", whatever their obligation may have been. The receiver was therefore by the order authorised to raise money on such terms as he might think proper. Their Lordships entertain no doubt that under this authority the receiver could validly raise money by a charge on the company's property ranking in front of the debentures. It is not to be supposed that a lender could be found to advance money on any other terms than that he should have priority for the sums advanced by him for the salvage of the property. Acting on the authority of this order the receiver on 4 December 1927, entered into an agreement with the appellant's father which was in the following terms: "I have been appointed Receiver by the Court of the Additional Sub-Judge Agra, in suit No. 84 of 1997 - Major A. John V/s. The Agra United Mill Limited, and under an order, dated 30 November and 1 December 1927, the Court has authorised me, the executant, to contract a sufficient amount of loan and pay off the salaries of the labourers, and to run the Mills go far as possible. Accordingly I have made, Seth Suraj Bhan Rai Bahadur, who has been financier of the mill from before and bag invested money in it, willing to advance to me at this time Rs. 31,000 in cash bearing interest at annas 12 per cent, per month, on promise of paying back the amount after six months, so that salaries of the employees and labourers may be paid and the said Seth Sahab may take away all the moveable property, such as bales of prepared yarn, grain, flour, maida (fine flour), cotton, bales, packing materials, waste and other goods under preparation, i.e., under process, which lie within the limits of the mill and which are stated by the Seth Sahab to be owned and purchased by him. Accordingly the parties have come to an agreement. I, the executant, have received Rs. 31,000 in cash from Seth Suraj Bhan, Rai Bahadur, the proprietor of firm Seth Chunni Lal, resident and rats of Belanganj, Agra. As regards these goods it has been agreed upon that as there is no opportunity for sufficient enquiry at this time, hence in future if these goods will be proved to be the property and to have been purchased or under lien of Seth Sahab aforesaid, then within 10 days of the laid decision I shall hypothecate to Seth Sahab aforesaid to his satisfaction, sufficient property worth at least Rs. 60,000. If these goods will not be proved to be the property or under Hen to Seth Sahab aforesaid, then he (Seth Sahab aforesaid) will set-off the sum of Rs. 31,000 towards the price of the said goods and Seth Sahab shall have the same right and lien is respect of this amount of debt and only to that extent as the employees and labourers have in respect of these goods according to law and justice. The remaining goods aforesaid or the market value of the same, if any, shall after setting off this debt, be paid by Seth Sahab aforesaid to me, the executant, and shall be liable for the same. Ali these proceedings have been taken under the order of the Court of the Additional Subordinate Judge of Agra, hence there is no personal liability of me, the executant, in any way."