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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Contract: Auction sale - Forfeiture of earnest money - Highest bidder depositing earnest money for auctioned industrial plot of defaulting unit - Later it transpired that the premises did not have an independent passage - Issue of independent passage having not been resolved bidder did not pay the further amount - Earnest money forfeited by State Financial Corporation - HELD: The bidder has not failed to comply with conditions of sale - It is the Corporation which, though being the instrumentality of State, acted unfairly - It was incumbent upon the Corporation to disclose to the buyer about non-existence of independent passage to the premises - Corporation acted in breach of ss.55(1)(a) and (b) of the Transfer of Property Act - Buyer being an auction purchaser, s.29 of State Financial Corporation Act has no application to the case - High Court rightly concluded that action of Corporation in forfeiting the earnest money of the buyer was wholly arbitrary and unfair - Forfeited amount would be refunded to buyer with 12% interest - Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - ss. 55(1)(a) and (b) - State Financial Corporation Act, 1951 - s.29 - Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 12. The respondent, pursuant to an advertisement issued by the appellant- Haryana Financial Corporation, for sale of land of a defaulting company, made an offer and he being the highest bidder deposited Rs. 2.5 lakhs by way of earnest money. After a visit having been made by the respondent to the factory premises, he wrote to the appellant-Corporation that the land in question did not have an independent passage and requested for supply of copy of the approved building plan of the premises, but his request remained unanswered. In spite of this, the Corporation issued a letter dated 18.5.1998 to the respondent asking him to deposit balance amount of 25 per cent of the bid amount within fifteen days, failing which the earnest money deposited by him would be forfeited. Since the issue of independent passage was not resolved, the respondent did not pay the balance amount and the Corporation by its order dated 30.9.1998 forfeited the earnest money deposited by him. The respondent approached the High Court, which quashed the order dated 30.9.1998 and directed the Corporation to refund the amount along with 12 % interest. Aggrieved, the Corporation filed the appeal. Dismissing the appeal, the Court HELD: 1. Factually the appellants have accepted that on 28.1.1998 the respondent had in no uncertain terms informed the appellants/Corporation about the non-existence of the independent passage. There is a categorical assertion that premises do not have an independent appropriate passage from the road. The appellants were merely relying on the documents submitted by the defaulting unit. No independent inquiries were made by the appellants to verify the authenticity of the statements made by the management of the defaulting unit which had availed of the loan, by mortgaging the assets of the unit. The entire issue seems to be concluded against the appellants/Corproation by letter dated 30.4.1998 whereby its Branch Manager has informed the head office in unequivocal language that the independent passage shown in the sale deed is not connected directly with the defaulting unit. [Para 14 and 16] 1.2. Taking into consideration the facts, the Division Bench of the High Court rightly concluded that the action of the Corporation in forfeiting the amount deposited by the respondent was wholly arbitrary and unfair. The High Court was justified in further concluding that in law the Corporation undoubtedly has the power to forfeit the earnest money provided there was a failure on the part of the respondent to make the deposit. The Division Bench, however, observed that the respondent was dealing with an instrumentality of State, which would act fairly. He deposited the sum of Rs.2.5 lakhs on the clear understanding that there would be an independent approach road to the Unit. Without any independent passage the plot of land would be not more than an agricultural plot, not suitable for development as a manufacturing unit. [Para 16 and 17] 1.3. Clause 5 of the advertisement, undoubtedly, permits the forfeiture of the earnest money deposited. But this can only be, if the auction purchaser fails to comply with the conditions of sale. The respondent has not failed to comply with the conditions of sale. Rather, it is the Corporation which has acted unfairly. The appellants, cannot be given the benefit of Clause 5 of the advertisement, and cannot be permitted to take advantage of their own wrong. [Para 18] 1.4. In terms of ss.55(1)(a) and (b) of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 it was incumbent upon the appellants/Corporation to disclose to the respondent about the non-existence of the independent passage to the Unit, and that the passage mentioned in the revenue record was not fit for movement of vehicles. The appellants failed to disclose to the respondent the material defect about the non-existence of the independent 3 `Karam' passage to the property. The appellant also failed to produce to the buyer the entire documentation as required by s.55(1)(b) of the Transfer of Property Act. Therefore, the appellants clearly acted in breach of ss.55(1) (a) and (b) of the Transfer of Property Act. In any event, the facts of the instant case clearly indicate that the respondent had made all necessary inquiries. It was the Corporation that failed to perform its obligations in giving a fair description of the property offered for sale. [Para 19-20 and 23] U.T. Chandigarh Administration and Anr. Vs. Amarjeet Singh and Ors. 2009 (4) SCR541=(2009) 4 SCC 660, held inapplicable. 1.5. Section 29 of the State Financial Corporations Act, 1951 is not applicable in the instant case, as the said section pertains to action which the Corporation can take against the defaulting Unit. The respondent is an auction purchaser and therefore cannot be confused with the defaulting unit. [para 21] United Bank of India vs. Official Liquidator and Ors. 1993 (3) Suppl. SCR 1= (1994) 1 SCC 575, held inapplicable. 1.6. The forfeited amount be refunded to the respondent with 12 per cent interest w.e.f. 1.2.1998 till payment. In the event the amount is not paid within the stipulated period, the respondent shall be entitled to interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum till payment. [Para 24] Case Law Reference 1993 (3) Suppl. SCR 1 held inapplicable para 21 2009 (4) SCR541 held inapplicable para 23 CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 829 of 2003. From the Judgment & Order dated 26.11.2001 of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana in Civil Writ Petition No. 5752 of 2001. Amit Dayal for the Appellant. Vimal Chandra S. Dave for the Respondent.


                                              REPORTABLE

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
             CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

              CIVIL APPEAL NO. 829 OF 2003


HARYANA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
& ANR.                                     ....APPELLANT(S)


                         VERSUS

RAJESH GUPTA                             ...RESPONDENT(S)


                      JUDGMENT


SURINDER SINGH NIJJAR, J.

1.   This appeal is directed against the Judgment and Order

dated 26.11.2001 in C.W.P.5725/2001 of the High Court of

Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh.


2.   The respondent had approached the High Court with a

prayer that the order dated September 30, 1998 by which the

Haryana Financial Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the

appellants/Corporation), had forfeited, amount of Rs.2.5

lakhs, deposited by the respondent by way of earnest money,

be quashed.    The respondent had also prayed that the
                                   2


appellants /Corporation be directed to refund the amount

illegally forfeited along with interest.

3.    Shorn of unnecessary details, we may notice here only

      the relevant facts.

4.    On 8.1.1998, the appellants/Corporation issued an

      advertisement for sale of various units, including the

      land of M/s. Unique Oxygen Private Limited(hereinafter

      referred to as the defaulting unit), Old Hansi Road, Jind.

      On 28.1.1998 respondent initially made an offer of

      Rs.25,00,000/-,       which        was    subsequently     during

      negotiations enhanced to Rs.50,00,000/-. On that very

      day the respondent deposited an amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs

      by way of earnest money. On 29.1.1998 the respondent

      wrote   a   letter    to   the     Managing     Director   of   the

      appellants/Corporation as follows:


     "RAJESH GUPTA                     578, AUTO MOBILE
                                       MARKET HISAR
                                       Phone: 28221 - 3 Lines
                                       Fax No.01662 - 31084

                                        January 29, 1998

      The Managing Director
      Haryana Financial Corporation
      17, 18, 19 Sector 17-A
      Chandigarh 160017
                                3



   Kind Attention: Sh.Raj Kumar Ji, M.D.

   Sub: Offer to purchase assets of Unique Oxygen Private
   Limited Jind.


          Dear Sir,

                  With reference to your advertisement in
          `ECONOMIC TIMES' dated 08.01.98, we are
          inclined to submit our bid for purchase of assets
          of the above mentioned company.         With this
          purpose we visited the factory premises on
          21.01.1998. On our visit, it was noticed that the
          premises do not have an independent appropriate
          passage from the road. On further inquiry from
          the concerned Branch office, the copy of site
          plan/ building plans were not available and we
          were told that the same are available at Head
          office only. Therefore you are requested to kindly
          apprise us in this matter so that we do not face
          any problems, if we acquire the unit as per your
          offer.

          We hope to hear soon in this regard.

          Thanking you,

                                          Yours faithfully
                                              Sd/-
                                          Rajesh Gupta"


No response was given by the appellants/Corporation to the

respondent.    However     by    letter     dated     19.2.1998   the

appellants/Corporation called the respondent for negotiations.

These negotiations resulted in enhancement of the bid from

Rs.25 lakhs to Rs.50 lakhs.           Again in the letter dated

7.3.1998, the respondent stated as follows:
                              4



"FAX NO.1072-70266                 578, AUTO MOBILE
                                   MARKET HISAR
                                   Phone: 28221 (3 Lines)

                                   Fax No.01662 - 31084

                                         07-03-1998

 The Managing Director
 Haryana Financial Corporation
 Chandigarh.

 Sub: Offer to purchase unit of Unique Oxygen Private
 Limited Jind

 Dear Sir,

        With reference to the negotiation held on 6.3.98
 at your Head Office for the sale of assets of said
 concern. We are the highest bidder and understand
 that our bid will be accepted. However, the matter
 regarding approved/authorised passage for smooth
 functioning of the factory was discussed in the
 meeting and the unit holder, who was also present in
 the meeting confirmed that such passage exist, at the
 factory.

       In this regard, it is submitted that we have come
 to know that there is no approved/authorised passage
 to factory sufficient to pass a truck through it. The
 gate/passage presently being used is unauthorized.

       In the light of above you are requested to kindly
 apprise us in this matter and supply us the copy of
 approved building plan, site plan for the building
 mortgaged by H.F.C. so that we may not face any
 problem in future in running the unit.

 Kindly treat it as most urgent.

 Thanking you,

                          Yours faithfully
                          Sd/- Rajesh Gupta"
                              5


5.   It would appear that by letter dated 3.4.1998, the Branch

manager brought the objection of the respondent to the notice

of the head office of the appellants/Corporation. In response

to this communication the Branch Manager was informed by

the head office of the appellants/Corporation, by letter dated

7.4.1998 that clear cut passage/rasta has been provided to

the unit as per documents submitted by the defaulting unit at

the time of availing loan.   Reference in this letter was also

made to the Sale Deed, dated 8.9.1994, Mutation No.5172,

Mutation No.9896, Search Report and sale deed, Rasta,

wherein it is mentioned that there is an approach road to the

factory site. The Branch Manager was directed to satisfy the

respondent with the aforesaid documents. On 13.4.1998, the

Branch Manager addressed a letter to the head office of the

appellants/Corporation clearly informing as follows:

                "However, the actual Rasta which is
          of 3 Karams and appeared in the papers
          particularly shown in the sale deed is not
          connected directly with the unit and to
          connect the Rasta with the Rasta of the
          revenue record party purchased some
          land where the movement of the vehicles
          is not possible at all."
                               6


6.   In fact the letter further pointed out as follows:

                "It is further stated that the area
          mentioned in the map approved by the
          M.C. is 1130 sq. yd. whereas the total
          area in the sale deed and is mortgaged to
          the Corporation is 1210 sq. yd. It is also
          not out of place to mention that the land
          on    which the       office  building    is
          constructed is also not mortgaged to the
          Corporation and if that area is excluded
          the main gate of the factory will go behind
          from the existing place and then the unit
          will be stripped of independent Rasta."


7.   In spite of the aforesaid factual position, the appellants/

Corporation   issued   the   letter   dated   18.5.1998   to   the

respondent advising him to deposit balance amount of 25 per

cent of the bid amount within 15 days from the date of issue of

the letter failing which the amount of the earnest money

deposited would be forfeited without further notice.           The

respondent, however, again raised the issue regarding the

passage at the open house held by the appellants/Corporation

at Hissar on 12.6.1998.         According to the appellants/

Corporation, as per the revenue record and the demarcation

report of the revenue officials dated 27.6.1998, therein 16.5 ft.

rasta is provided in the west of the Unit.         However, not
                                    7


satisfied, the respondent did not pay the balance amount.

Therefore the appellants/Corporation invited fresh tenders for

sale     of   land.   On    30.9.1998    the   appellants/Corporation

forfeited the sum of Rs.2.5 lakhs which had been deposited by

the respondent as earnest money.

8.     It was this action of the appellants/Corporation that was

challenged by the respondent by way of a Writ Petition in the

Punjab and Haryana High Court.

9.        The aforesaid writ petition has been allowed by the

Division Bench.        The order dated 30.9.1998 by which the

earnest money had been forfeited has been quashed and set

aside.        A   further    direction   has   been   issued   to   the

appellants/Corporation to refund the amount along with

interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum w.e.f. 1.2.1998 to

the date of payment. The High Court also imposed costs on

the appellants/Corporation assessed as Rs.5,000/-. Further

directions were issued to release the amount to the respondent

within two months from the receipt of a copy of the order of

the High Court.        It is this order which is challenged in the

present appeal.
                             8


10.   We have heard the learned counsel for the parties at

length.

11.   Mr. Amit Dayal, learned counsel for the appellants

/Corporation submits that the respondent accepted the plots

on "as is where is basis".        Therefore, the appellants/

Corporation cannot now permit the respondent to wriggle out

of a confirmed bid, on the ground that there is no independent

approach road to the Unit.         Learned Counsel further

submitted that it was for the respondent to make necessary

enquiry with regard to the existence of the 3 Karams rasta,

with the Revenue and other authorities.     According to the

learned counsel the entire documentation which had been

provided at the time when the loan was sanctioned clearly

indicated that there is a 3 Karams rasta leading from the road

to the Unit. Learned counsel further pointed out that the

respondent had visited the site on 21.1.1998.    Therefore he

would have known the exact situation of the "rasta".      The

respondent was aware of the exact nature of the land being

purchased by him.     In support of his submission learned

counsel relies on Section 55 of The Transfer of Property Act,
                                  9


1882. Learned counsel further submitted that the appellants

/Corporation are entitled to forfeit the security amount in view

of Clause 5 of the terms and conditions for the sale of property

as contained in the advertisement dated 8.1.1998.                Learned

counsel   also    sought     to        justify    the   action   of   the

appellants/Corporation by placing reliance on Section 29 of

The State Financial Corporation Act, 1951.

12.   On the other hand, Mr. Vimal Chandra S. Dave, learned

counsel for the respondent, submits that the judgment of the

High Court is self-speaking and is not open to challenge on

any of the grounds pleaded by the appellants. He submitted

that the appellants cannot be permitted to take advantage of

their own wrong.      They have misled the respondent into

making a huge deposit for a plot of land which was not

suitable. Without an independent passage the land could not

have been used as a manufacturing unit.                  The appellants

/Corporation     ignored   all    the     objections    raised   by   the

respondent     with   regard      to     the     non-existence   of   the

independent approach road.
                              10


13.   We have considered the submissions made by the

learned counsel. We have also perused the judgment of the

Division Bench of the High Court.

14.   Factually the appellants have accepted that on 28.1.1998

the respondent had in no uncertain terms informed the

appellants/Corporation    about     the   non-existence   of   the

independent passage. No denial could possibly be made in the

face of the letter dated 29.1.1998 which makes a reference to

the visit of the respondent to the factory premises on

21.1.1998. There is a categorical assertion that premises do

not have an independent appropriate passage from the road.

When enquiries were made from the branch office, the

respondent, was simply informed that copy of the site plan

and building plan were not available, and would be available

at the Head Office only. Thereafter, there is a studious silence

from the appellants/Corporation with regard to the aforesaid

grievance made by the respondent.         Again, on 7.3.1998 the

respondent informed the appellants/Corporation as follows:

                 "In this regard, it is submitted that
           we have come to know that there is no
           approved/authorised passage to factory
           sufficient to pass a truck through it. The
                             11


           gate/passage presently being used is
           unauthorized.

                In the light of above you are
           requested to kindly apprise us in this
           matter and supply us the copy of
           approved building plan, site plan for the
           building mortgaged by H.F.C. so that we
           may not face any problem in future in
           running the unit."

15.   It appears that the aforesaid request of the respondent

was also never specifically answered by the appellants/

Corporation.   In view of the protests of the respondent, the

issue was raised by the Branch Manager of the appellants

/Corporation through letter dated 3.4.1998 addressed to the

Head Office. The Branch Manager was informed by the Head

Office, through   letter dated     7.4.1998 that   as per the

documents submitted by the defaulting unit at the time of

availing loan, clear cut passage/rasta has been provided to the

concerned Unit. The letter dated 7.4.1998 reads as follows:

                "Please refer to your letter No.
           HFC\BO\JD\98\7 dated 3.4.98 on the
           subject cited above.

                 In this connection, you are advised
           that clear cut Passage / Rasta has been
           provided to the concern as per
           documents submitted by the concern at
           the time of availing loan.
                               12



                Enclosed herewith please find
          photocopy of the Sale Deed No.1494
          dated 8.9.94 and photocopy of the
          Mutation No.5172, another Mutation
          No.9896 and Search Report and Sale
          Deed, Rasta, wherein it is clear cut
          mentioned that there is an approach road
          the factory site. So, you may please
          satisfy the Auction Purchaser with these
          documents and inform us the latest
          position of the case. It is also added here
          that you may make clear to the auction
          purchaser that the unit has been sold by
          the Corporation as and where basis."


16.    A perusal of the aforesaid letter makes it apparent that

the   appellants/Corporation     were   merely   relying   on   the

documents submitted by M/s. Unique Oxygen Private Limited,

Old Hansi Road, Jind i.e., the          defaulting     unit.    The

appellants/Corporation    had        been   informed       by   the

management of the defaulting unit at the time of availing of

the loan facility that the Unit had the necessary independent

approach road. The letter however does not indicate, that any

independent   inquiries   were       made   by   the   appellants/

Corporation to verify the authenticity of the statements made

by the management of the defaulting unit which had availed of

the loan, by mortgaging the assets of the unit.         The entire
                                 13


issue   seems      to   be   concluded   against   the   appellants/

Corporation by letter dated 30.4.1998, the relevant parts of

which have already been reproduced in the earlier part of this

judgment. A perusal of the extracts, reproduced earlier, would

clearly show that the Branch Manager has informed the head

office in unequivocal language that the independent passage

shown in the sale deed is not connected directly with the

defaulting unit. It also indicates that the defaulting unit had

merely purchased some land to connect the rasta with the

revenue record on which movement of the vehicle is not

possible at all.    This land was not even mortgaged with the

appellants/Corporation. The letter also clearly states that by

exclusion of the aforesaid land the size of the plot would be

reduced from 1210 sq. yards to 1130 sq. yards. That would

mean that the main gate of the factory would be out side the

land offered for sale. Taking into consideration the aforesaid

facts the Division Bench concluded as follows:

                 "Taking the totality of circumstances
           into consideration, we are satisfied that
           the petitioner was not at fault. He was
           entitled to withhold the money as the
           respondents had failed to provide a
           proper passage. Still further, the factual
                                14


           position having been admitted in the
           letter dated April 30, 1998, a copy of
           which is at Annexure P6, and nothing to
           the contrary having been produced on the
           file, we find that the action of the
           respondent/Corporation in forfeiting the
           amount deposited by the petitioner was
           wholly arbitrary and unfair."


17.   We see no reason to take any different view. We are also

of the opinion that the Division Bench was justified in further

concluding    that   in    law        the   appellants/Corporation

undoubtedly has the power to forfeit the earnest money

provided there was a failure on the part of the respondent to

make the deposit. The Division Bench, however, observed that

the respondent was dealing with an instrumentality of state.

He was entitled to legitimately proceed on the assumption that

the appellants, a Statutory Corporation, an instrumentality of

the State, shall act fairly.   The respondent could not have

suspected that he would be called upon to pay the amount of

Rs.50 lakhs without being given even a proper passage to the

Unit that he was buying. We are of considered opinion that

the respondent had deposited the sum of Rs.2.5 lakhs on the

clear understanding that there would be an independent
                               15


approach road to the Unit. This is understandable. Without

any independent passage the plot of land would be not more

than an agricultural plot, not suitable for development as a

manufacturing unit. We therefore don't find any substance in

the   submission   made    by   the   learned   counsel   for   the

appellants/Corporation.

18.     In our opinion, the appellants cannot be given the

benefit of Clause 5 of the advertisement.         The appellants

/Corporation cannot be permitted to take advantage of their

own wrong. Clause 5 undoubtedly permits the forfeiture of the

earnest money deposited. But this can only be, if the auction

purchaser fails to comply with the conditions of sale. In our

opinion the respondent has not failed to comply with the

conditions of sale.   Rather, it is the appellants/Corporation

which has acted unfairly, and is trying to take advantage of its

own wrong.

19.   In view of the aforesaid, we are of the considered opinion

that the appellants/Corporation cannot be permitted to rely

upon Section 55 of The Transfer of Property Act, 1882. The

appellants/Corporation failed to disclose to the respondent the
                                  16


material defect about the non-existence of the independent

3 `Karam' passage to the property. Therefore, the appellants/

Corporation clearly acted in breach of Section 55 (1) (a) and (b)

of The Transfer of Property Act, 1882. The aforesaid Section

provides as under:

               (1) The seller is bound-
           (a) to disclose to the buyer any material
               defect in the property [or in the
               seller's title thereto] of which the
               seller is, and the buyer is not, aware,
               and which the buyer could not with
               ordinary care discover;


           (b) to produce to the buyer on his request
               for examination all documents of title
               relating to the property which are in
               the seller's possession or power;


20.   A mere perusal of the aforesaid provision will show that it

was incumbent upon the appellants/Corporation to disclose to

the respondent about the non-existence of the independent

passage   to   the   Unit.    It    was   also   the   duty   of   the

appellants/Corporation to inform the respondent that the

passage mentioned in the revenue record was not fit for

movement of vehicles. The appellant also failed to produce to

the buyer the entire documentation as required by Section 51
                              17


(1) (b) of the aforesaid Section. We are therefore satisfied that

the appellants/Corporation cannot seek to rely on the

aforesaid provision of The Transfer of Property Act, 1882.

21.   In our opinion, the reliance on Section 29 of the State

Financial Corporations Act, 1951 is wholly misplaced.        The

aforesaid Section pertains to action which the Corporation can

take against the Unit which had defaulted in payment of loan.

In such circumstances the Corporation has the power to sell

the property that has been hypothecated or mortgaged with

the Corporation. Respondent herein is an auction purchaser

and therefore cannot be confused with the defaulting unit. We

are also of the considered opinion that the reliance placed on

the judgment of this Court by the counsel for the appellants in

the case of Union Bank of India vs. Official Liquidator and

Ors. (1994) 1 SCC 575 is wholly misconceived. The aforesaid

judgment relates to sale of the property and assets of a

company in liquidation by the official liquidator under the

orders of the Court. Therefore it is observed that the official

liquidator cannot and does not hold any guarantee or

warranty in respect of the property sold. That is because the
                               18


official liquidator proceeds on the basis of what the records of

the company in liquidation show.          Therefore it is for the

intending purchaser to satisfy himself in all respects as to the

title and encumbrances and so forth of the immovable

property   that   he   proposes      to   purchase.      In   those

circumstances it is held that the purchaser cannot after

having purchased the property on such terms then claim

diminution in the price on the ground of defect in the title or

description of the property. The judgment clearly goes on to

further hold as follows:

                 "The case of the Official Liquidator
           selling the property of a company in
           liquidation under the orders of the Court
           is altogether different from the case of an
           individual selling immovable property
           belonging to himself."


22.   The aforesaid observation would be clearly applicable to

the Corporation as it is exercising the rights of an owner in

selling the property. The appellants/Corporation is not selling

the property as an official liquidator.

23.   In any event, the facts of this case as narrated above

would clearly indicate that the respondent had made all
                              19


necessary inquiries.   It was the appellants/Corporation that

failed to perform its obligations in giving a fair description of

the property offered for sale. Learned counsel had also relied

on another judgment in the case of U.T. Chandigarh

Administration and Anr. vs.         Amarjeet Singh and Ors.

(2009) 4 SCC 660. In our opinion, the aforesaid judgment is

wholly inapplicable to the facts and circumstances of this case

as it relates to the duties of a developer who carries on

activities of development of land and invites application for

allotment of sites in a developed layout.    In our opinion the

aforesaid judgment is not applicable to the facts of this case.

We see no merit in any of the submissions, or the grounds of

appeal. The appeal is accordingly dismissed.


24.   It appears that the judgment of the High Court had been

stayed by this Court on 2.9.2002. In view of the dismissal of

the appeal, we direct that the forfeited amount be refunded to

the respondent with 12 per cent interest w.e.f. 1.2.1998 till

payment. The amount be paid to the respondent within a

period of two months of producing the certificate copy of this

order. We also direct that in the event the aforesaid amount is
                             20


not paid within the stipulated period the respondent shall be

entitled to interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum till

payment. We also direct the respondent shall be entitled to

costs which are assessed as Rs.50,000/-.



                                    ........................................J
                                     (J.M. PANCHAL)


                                      ......................................
                                                                      ...J
                                   (SURINDER SINGH NIJJAR)

NEW DELHI
DECEMBER 15, 2009