In Brief
Lakha Singh sued Balwinder Singh for specific performance of an alleged 2007 agreement to sell agricultural land. The trial Court awarded him recovery of earnest money (Rs. 16,00,000) instead. The High Court affirmed this. On special leave, the Supreme Court found the agreement was fraudulent. Critical factors revealed: the agreement bore signatures only on its last page with blank spaces on pages 1–2, suggesting the thumb impression was taken beforehand on blank paper; the plaintiff never produced the balance sale amount on the execution date; the agreed rate was half the market value; and the plaintiff never sought required departmental approval as a government employee. The Court concluded the entire transaction was fabricated and set aside all three concurrent judgments.
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