In Brief
An appellant agreed to purchase 16 Kanals of land from the respondent for Rs. 8 lakhs in November 2002. When the respondent failed to complete the sale by the due date, the appellant sued for injunction (July 2003) and obtained a temporary injunction order (28 July 2003). On the same day, the respondent transferred the land to his son via a release deed, who then sold it to subsequent purchasers who claimed to be bona fide buyers. The Supreme Court held that since the subsequent alienations occurred after the suit was filed, they were covered by the doctrine of lis pendens. Subsequent purchasers cannot claim bona fide purchaser protection when acquiring property during pending litigation, as they are bound by lis pendens. The Court set aside the High Court's decision, upheld the trial court's decree for specific performance, and ordered the respondent to execute the sale deed in favour of the appellant.
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