Doctrine of Part Performance
Doctrine of Part Performance
Doctrine of Part Performance
INTRODUCTION
Property is one of the most fundamental elements of the socio-economic life of an individual.
Juridically, property can be said to be a bundle of rights in a thing or a land. However, the word
has gradually been given a wider meaning. Economic significance of the property, therefore,
rests more on its dispositions. Property law has therefore become an important branch of civil
law. The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 deals with the transfer of immoveable property intervivos (although some provisions deal with the transfer of moveable as well as immovable
property).
Before this enactment, the transfers of immovable property were mostly governed by English
equitable principles as applies by Anglo-Indian Courts. The doctrine of part-performance is one
of the equitable doctrines applied by these Courts. In this project, the various aspects of doctrine
of part-performance have been analyzed in detail.
1 The words the contract, though required to be registered, has not been registered or has been omitted
by Section 10 of the Registration and Other Related Laws Amendment Act 2001 (Act no. 48 of 2001)
with effect from 24 September, 2001.
2 Mian Pir Bux v. Sardar Mahomed Tahar, AIR 1934 PC 235; AMA Sultan and Ors. v. Seydu Zohra
Beevi, AIR 1990 Ker 186.
3 Maneklal Manuskhbahi v. Honnusji Jamshedji, AIR 1950 SC 1; Chaliagulla Ramchandrayya v.
Boppana Satyanarayana, AIR 1964 SC 877; See also Nathu Lal v. Phoolchand, [1970] 2 SCR 854; Sardar
Govindrao Mahadik & anr. v. Devi Sahai and ors., AIR 1982 SC 989.
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11 Nathulal supra note 3; Shrimat Shamrao Suryavanshi v. Prahlad Bhairoba Suryavanshi, AIR 2002 SC
960; Rambhao Namdeo Gajre v. Narayan Bapuji Dhotra, (2004) 8 SCC 614; Ram Kumar Agarwal v.
Thawar Das, (1999) 7 SCC 303; Jacobs Private Limited v. Thomas Jacob, AIR 1995 Ker 249. See also
Damodaran v. Shekharan, AIR 1993 Ker 242, M. Mariappa v. A.K. Sathyanarayan Shetty, AIR 1984 Kant
58.
12 supra note 10.
13 Id.
14 State of Uttar Pradesh v. District Judge, AIR 1997 SC 53.
15 Hazilal v. Jugal Kishore, AIR 1999 MP 104.
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16 Ram Kumar Agarwal supra note 11; Sham Lal v. Mathi, AIR 2002 HP 66 .
17 Kanakamma v. Krishnamma, (1943) 1 MLJ 335(F.B.), Mahalakshmi v. Venkatareddi, AIR 1944 Mad
556.
18 Madan Mohan v. Srinivas Prasad, AIR 1943 Pat 343.
19 Gajdhar v. Bachan, AIR 1943 All 768.
20 VERA P. SARTHI, G.C.V. SUBBA RAOS LAW OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY (EASEMENTS,
TRUST AND WILLS) 691 (Reprint ed Alt Publications Hyderabad 2005).
21 Hamida supra note 4.
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22 Dr.SIR HARI SINGH GOUR, COMMENTARY ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT 684 (12 ed
Vol 1 Delhi Law House 2010).
23 Kukaji v. Basantilal, AIR 1955 Madh Bh 93.
24 Bhagwandas v. Surajmal, AIR 1961 MP 237.
25 Pannalal v. Labhchand, AIR 1955 Madh Bh 99.
26 Manjural Hoque v. Mewajan Bibi, AIR 1956 Cal 350.
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NATURE OF RIGHT
AVAILABLE ONLY AS A DEFENCE
39 Ayyan Kunhi v. Krishna, AIR 1950 Tr&Coch 81; Rami Reddi v. Venkat Reddi, AIR 1963 AP 489.
40 Jileba v. Marmersa, AIR 1950 All 700.
41 Rashakretayya v. Sarasamma, AIR 1951 Mad 213.
42 Bhabhi Dutt v. Ramlalbyamal, AIR 1934 Rang. 303.
43 Muralidhar v. Tara Dye, AIR 1953 Cal 349.
44 Radha Charan Das v. Pranbati Dassi, (1959) 63 Cal WN 535.
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45 AIR 1940 PC 1.
46 AIR 1977 SC 324.
47 Ram Gopal Reddy v. Additional Custodian, Evacuee Property, AIR 1966 SC 1438.
48 AIR 1968 SC 794.
49 Kuchwar Lime Stone Co. v. Secretary of State, AIR 1936 Pat 372.
50 S.N.Banerjee v. Kuchwar Lime & Stone Co. Ltd., AIR 1941 PC 128.
51 supra note 47
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CONCLUSION
The doctrine of part performance is an equitable doctrine designed to relieve the rigor of the law
and provide a remedy when a transfer or an agreement for transfer falls short of the requirements
laid down by the law. In England the doctrine was developed by the Equity Courts. In a modified
form it has been recognized statutorily in India being embodied in Section 53A.64
Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act applies to a person who contracts to transfer
immovable property in writing. If the proposed transferee in agreement has taken possession of
the property or he continues in possession thereof being already in possession, in part
performance of the contract and has done some act in furtherance of the contract, and the
transferee has performed or is willing to perform his part of the contract, the transferor shall be
debarred from enforcing any right in respect of the property.65
Also, Section 53A does not confer any title or interest to the transferee in respect of the property
in his possession. Furthermore, it does not give to the transferee any right of action. It provides
63 supra note 15
64 supra note 47
65 supra note 50
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
1. B.B.MITRA, TRANSFER OF PROPERTY (18th ed Kamal Law House Kolkata 2005)
2. Dr.SIR HARI SINGH GOUR, COMMENTARY ON TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT
(12 ed Vol 1 Delhi Law House 2010)
3. G.C. BHARUKA, MULLA THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT (10 th ed Lexis Nexis
Butterworths Wadhwa Nagpur 2006)
4. SOLI J SORABJEE, DARASHAW J VAKILS COMMENTARIES ON THE
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT (2nd ed Wadhwa Nagpur 2004)
5. VERA P. SARTHI, G.C.V. SUBBA RAOS LAW OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
(EASEMENTS, TRUST AND WILLS) 691 (Reprint ed Alt Publications Hyderabad
2005)
CASE LAWS
1. Achayya v. Venkata Subba Rao, AIR 1957 AP 854;
2. Probodh Kumar Das v. Dantmara Tea Co, AIR 1940 PC 1.
3. Delhi Motor Company v. U.A.Basrurkar, AIR 1968 SC 794.
4. Technicians Studio Pvt. Ltd. v. Leela Ghosh, AIR 1977 SC 324.
5. AMA Sultan and Ors. v. Seydu Zohra Beevi, AIR 1990 Ker 186.
66 Id.
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