In Brief
In this property dispute spanning 43 years, the Supreme Court examined whether buyers could enforce an agreement to sell land dated 1981. While acknowledging the agreement existed, the Court found the buyers failed to prove they were ready and willing to complete the purchase—a mandatory requirement for specific performance under the Specific Relief Act. The buyers never produced evidence of the alleged government restriction preventing registration, did not tender the balance payment, and remained silent for 20 months after the sellers cancelled the agreement. The Court set aside orders for specific performance and dismissed the suit but directed the sellers to compensate the buyers with ₹30 lakhs (₹24 lakhs for the advance paid and ₹6 lakhs for litigation costs) within three months.
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