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of <h1>Court Modifies Damages Award; Upholds Specific Performance; Emphasizes Clear Relief Requests in Legal Pleadings.</h1> <h3>Somasundaram Chettiar Versus Chidambaram Chettiar</h3> Somasundaram Chettiar Versus Chidambaram Chettiar - TMI Issues:1. Specific performance of an agreement to assign a decree.2. Dispute over the consideration for the assignment.3. Award of damages in addition to specific performance.4. Claim for alternative relief of refund of consideration and damages.5. Appellate court's authority to grant alternative relief after lower court's decree.Analysis:1. Specific Performance of Agreement:The appeal concerned a suit for specific performance of an agreement to assign a decree. The appellant obtained the decree in question as a result of a prior court decision. The agreement, dated 17-12-1942, was executed by the defendant, who initially hesitated but eventually agreed to it. The court found that the agreement was validly executed and intended to be acted upon, dismissing claims of coercion. The defendant's argument that the plaintiff was merely a name lender did not affect the rights and liabilities of the parties in the suit.2. Dispute Over Consideration:The defendant acknowledged receipt of Rs. 13,100 as consideration for the assignment, but later claimed to have received only Rs. 11,100. However, the burden of proof was on the defendant, and as there was no reliable evidence supporting his claim, the court held that the full consideration was paid to the defendant. This lack of evidence led to the conclusion that there was no defense to the suit for specific performance.3. Award of Damages in Addition to Specific Performance:The lower court not only granted specific performance but also awarded Rs. 1000 as damages to the plaintiff. However, the plaintiff did not specifically pray for damages in the plaint. The appellate court questioned the justification for awarding damages in addition to specific performance without a specific claim for such relief. Referring to the Specific Relief Act, the court emphasized the need for the plaintiff to allege circumstances justifying damages in addition to specific performance, which was lacking in this case.4. Claim for Alternative Relief:The respondent sought the alternative relief of refund of the consideration and damages, which was not specifically prayed for in the plaint. While the respondent could have chosen this alternative relief, the court noted that there was no indication of such a change in preference until the arguments before the appellate court. Consequently, the court declined to grant the alternative relief.5. Appellate Court's Decision:The appeal was allowed to the extent of setting aside the Rs. 1000 awarded as damages but was otherwise dismissed. The court emphasized that parties would pay and receive proportionate costs in the appeal.In conclusion, the judgment addressed issues related to specific performance, consideration, damages, alternative relief, and the appellate court's authority in granting relief. It underscored the importance of specific prayers in legal proceedings and the need for proper justification for awards of damages in addition to specific performance.
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