Order
1. The defendant-appellants, who are the subsequent purchasers, are in appeal. This appeal is directed against the judgment of the Madras High Court dated 24-1-1994 whereby the decree for specific performance of the agreement passed by the trial court was affirmed.
2. On 26-6-1977 Respondent 2 entered into an agreement with first respondent herein, for transfer of his life interest in the property in dispute. On 29-12-1979, Respondent 2 transferred the rights in favour of the defendant-appellants who are the subsequent purchasers for consideration of Rs 4.40 lakhs. Under such circumstances, plaintiff-Respondent 1 brought a suit for specific performance, which was decreed by the trial court and the appeal preferred to the High Court was dismissed. It is in this way the defendant-appellants are before us.
3. Learned Attorney General appearing for the appellants urged that, before the High Court, the hearing of the appeal was concluded on 22-3-1989 but the judgment was delivered on 24-1-1994 — nearly five years after the hearing was concluded, and this long delay in delivery of judgment by itself is sufficient to set aside the judgment under appeal. Learned Attorney General has also relied upon the decision of this Court in the case of Kunwar Singh v. Sri Thakurji Maharaj 1995 Supp (4) SCC 125. At present, we are not disposed to go into this broad question as urged by the learned Attorney General. However, it is correct to this extent that a long delay in delivery of judgment gives rise to unnecessary speculations in the minds of parties to a case. Moreover, the appellants whose appeals have been dismissed by the High Court may have the apprehension that the arguments raised at the Bar have not been reflected or appreciated while dictating the judgment — nearly after five years. This is fairly not disputed by learned Senior Counsel, Shri K. Parasaran appearing for Respondent 1. We, therefore, on this short question, set aside the judgment under appeal without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case and remit the case to the High Court for deciding the appeal afresh, on merits. In view of the fact, that the matter has been pending for a considerable period of time, we request the High Court to decide the matter expeditiously, if possible, within six months.
4. Before we part with the case, we would like to observe that when this appeal was filed in this Court, the interim relief prayed for by the appellants was refused. As a consequence, Respondent 2 executed a sale deed in favour of Respondent 1 and Respondent 1 came in possession of the property and since then, he continues to be in possession. Under such circumstances, Respondent 1 being the lawful owner, so long the decree remains intact, is entitled to continue in possession over the property in dispute. Learned Attorney General urged that in case Respondent 1 is to continue in possession over the property, the interest of the appellants may also be protected. It is then, learned counsel for the parties made an agreed statement that during the pendency of the appeal before the High Court Respondent 1 shall not create any third-party right in respect of the property in dispute and further, shall deposit the rent/income received from that property in the High Court after deducting the maintenance charges and tax liabilities which shall be subject to the decision of the appeal in the High Court. We order accordingly.
5. The appeal is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. All the IAs are disposed of accordingly.