Pawan Kumar Arya and Others v. Ravi Kumar Arya and Others
M. R. SHAH, J.
1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment
and order dated 21.12.2017 passed by the High Court of Judicature at
Bombay in Appeal (L) No. 447 of 2017 with Notice of Motion (L) No.
2541 of 2017 in Appeal (L) No. 447 of 2017, by which the Division
Bench of the High Court has dismissed the said intra co urt appeal
preferred by the appellants herein – original plaintiffs and has confirmed
the judgment and order passed by the learned Single Ju dge dated
30.11.2017 dismissing the execution petition, the original plaintiffs – decree
holders have preferred the present appeals.
2. The dispute is between the appellants herein – original plaintiffs
(hereinafter referred to as ‘PAGroup’) and respondent nos. 1 to 6 herein
– original defendant nos. 1 to 6 (hereinafter referred to as ‘RAGroup’)
and also between original defendant no. 10 – Omkar Realt ors and
Developers Private Limited (hereinafter referred to as ‘Omkar Builders’).
The dispute was with respect to the asset of Kash Foods Private Limited
admeasuring 4134 square meters plot at Worli, Mumbai.
2.1 That the appellants herein – original plaintiffs filed a Suit (L)
No. 194 of 2015 against the respondents herein/original defend ants
seeking the relief against the transfer of the prope rty of Kash Foods
Private Limited in favour of respondent no.10 herein – defendant no. 10
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
- Omkar Developers. As observed hereinabove, the original pla intiffs
Pawan Kumar Arya and others belong to PA Group and or iginal
defendant nos. 1 to 6 belong to RA Group, the brother of Pawan Kumar
Arya. According to the original plaintiffs, original defendant no.7 – M.P.
Recycling Company was jointly held by PA Group and RA Group with
each credit or holding 50% of its shareholding. That M.P. Rec ycling
held 25% of shareholding in Kash Foods. That Kash Foods owned a plot
of land at Worli admeasuring about 4134.27 sq, meters. That 25% of the
shareholding in Kash Foods was purchased by M.P. Recycling and the
remaining 75% of the shareholding in Kash Foods was bo ught by
RAGroup in 2011 in their individual capacities.
2.2 That by conveyance deed dated 22.12.2012, a portion of the
assets of Kash Foods was transferred to original defendant nos. 3 & 4
that are the members of the RA Group. A development agreement was
executed between Omkar Builders – original defendant no.10, Kas h
Foods, original defendant no. 8 and defendant nos. 3 and 4, which was
subjected to challenge by the plaintiffs in the suit. According to the original
plaintiffs, original defendant nos. 1 to 6 in violation of the Right of First
refusal clause in favour of M.P. Recycling to buy shares of Kash Foods
as contained in the Articles of Association of Kash Foods, surreptitiously
and behind the back of the plaintiffs bought 75% outsiders’ shareholding
in the names of defendant no.1’s family. According to the plai ntiffs,
defendant nos. 1 to 6 entered into a purported Development Agreement
dated 10.04.2013 with Omkar Builders, a third party developer, to develop
the Worli property behind the back of M.P. Recycling and the plaintiffs.
According to the plaintiffs, under the purported Development Agreement
with Omkar Builders, defendant nos. 1 to 6 and Kash Foods rece ived
Rs. 25 crores from Omkar Builders and an additional Rs. 20 c rores as
security. That as per the case of the plaintiffs, defendant nos. 1 to 6 and
Kash Foods also received 79,000 sq. ft. carpet area, i.e., 15 flats and 72
car parking spaces from Omkar Builders under the Deve lopment
Agreement. According to the plaintiffs, 15 agreements for sal e were
registered and executed in favour of defendant nos. 1 to 6 and Kas h
Foods.
2.3 According to the plaintiffs, defendant nos. 1 to 6 did not give
any rights/benefits in the said consideration/carpet area rec eived from
Omkar Builders either to the plaintiffs and/or to M.P. Rec ycling. The
aforesaid led to the filing of the suit by the plaintiffs a gainst original
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defendant nos. 1 to 6 seeking a 50-50 division of the benefits received
by Kash Foods under the Development Agreement with Omkar Builders.
That during the pendency of the suit, the suit came to be settled and the
aforesaid suit came to be disposed of in accordance of the consent terms.
As per the consent terms, out of 15 apartments that were to come up on
the Worli land, 8 apartments admeasuring 27000 sq. meters in all were
to fall to the share of the plaintiffs– PAGroup and 7 apartments with a
total area of 52000 sq. meters were to go to defendant nos. 1 to 6– RA
Group. According to the plaintiffs, as per the consent terms, the letter of
allotment of their 8 apartments was liable to be executed by defendant
no. 10 – Omkar Builders and the same was liable to be counter-signed
by defendant nos. 1 to 6– RAGroup. According to the plaintiffs, defendant
no. 10 – Omkar Builders had in accordance with the consent terms
executed the letter of allotment in ‘Annexure E’ in respec t of the 8
apartments, but defendant nos. 1 to 6 refused to abide by the consent
terms and counter-sign the letter of allotment as per ‘Annexure E’.
2.4 Therefore, in view of the refusal on the part of defendant nos.
1 to 6 – RA Group to abide by the consent terms and counter- sign the
letter of allotment as per ‘Annexure E’, the plaintif fs initiated the
proceedings under Order 21 Rule 34 of the Code of Civil Procedure for
the execution of the consent decree viz. for execution of the document
at ‘Annexure E’ to decree dated 14.08.2015, by defendant nos. 1 to 6 –
RA Group and defendant no. 10 – Omkar Builders jointly and/or severally.
The execution application came to be rejected by the learned Single
Judge by the judgment and order dated 30.11.2017 by holding that neither
Omkar Builders nor defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RA Group could have been
directed at this stage to execute ‘Annexure E’ to the consent terms nor
could the RA Group be restrained from dealing with the properties that
form the subject matter of Kash Foods property. The lear ned Single
Judge also observed that unless and until the supplementary cons ent
terms are entered into between the parties, there is no obligation on the
part of defendant nos. 1 to 6 to execute the letter of allotme nt in the
form of ‘Annexure E’.
2.5 Feeling aggrieved by the dismissal of the Chamber Summons/
Execution Petition, the appellants herein preferred appeal before the
Division Bench. That by the impugned judgment and order, the Division
Bench of the High Court has dismissed the said appeal and has confirmed
the judgment and order passed by the learned Single Ju dge dated
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
30.11.2017 dismissing the chamber summons/execution petition. That
while dismissing the chamber summons, the learned Single Judge as
well as while dismissing the appeal, the Division Bench has observed
that no direction against the RA Group to execute the letter of allotment
in the form of ‘Annexure E’ can be issued on the basis of clause 28 of
the consent terms relied upon by the plaintiffs as th ere is nothing in
clause 28 of the consent terms that casts an obligation upon defendant
nos. 1 to 6 – RA Group to execute the letter of allotment in the form of
‘Annexure E’.
2.6 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment
and order passed by the Division Bench of the High Court dismiss ing
the appeal, confirming the judgment and order passed by the le arned
Single Judge dismissing the chamber summons/execution petition and
refusing to issue any direction against defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RA Group
to execute the letter of allotment in the form of ‘Annexure E’ with respect
to 8 apartments, the original plaintiffs have preferred the present appeals.
3. Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Shri Dhruv Mehta, learned
Senior Advocates have appeared on behalf of the appellants herei n –
original plaintiffs and Shri Shyam Divan and Shri Haresh Jagtiani, learned
Senior Advocates have appeared on behalf of the respondents herein –
original defendants.
3.1 Dr.Singhvi, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of
the appellants – original plaintiffs has vehemently submitted that in the
facts and circumstances of the case, both, the learned Sing le Judge as
well as the Division Bench have materially erred in dismissing the notice
of motion and not issuing the directions as prayed again st original
defendant nos. 1 to 6 and defendant no. 10. It is vehemently submitted
that by not issuing the directions as prayed in the notice of motion, both,
the learned Single Judge as well as the Division Bench have virtually
nullified the consent terms and the consent decree.
3.2 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that the absurd consequence
of the impugned order is that though in terms of the consent term s/
decree flats were allotted to both, the appellants and respondent nos. 1
to 6, the appellants have got nothing under the consent decree till date.
It is submitted that on the other hand respondent nos. 1 to 6 have got not
only 7 flats of double the area of the PA Kash Foods Property, but also
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Rs. 45 crores and are enjoying the above since about 2015 by mortgaging
and dealing with their flats by raising large finances. It is submitted that
as held by this Court in the case of Manish Mohan Sharma and others
v. Ram Bahadur Thakur Ltd. and others (2006) 4 SCC 416
(paragraphs 31 & 32) , the effort of the executing court must be to see
that the parties are given the fruits of the decree. It is submitted that it is
further observed in the said decision that the mandate is reinforced when
it is a consent decree and doubly reinforced when the consent decree is
a family settlement. It is submitted that it is furth er observed in the
aforesaid decision that family settlements are governed by a special
equity and are to be enforced if honestly made. Reliance is also placed
upon the decision of this Court in the case of Kale and others v. Deputy
Director of Consolidation and others (1976) 3 SCC 119.
3.3 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that the net result as of
today is that both the consent terms and the consent decree in ef fect
result in a zero-sum game with no transaction accruing to the benefit of
the appellants. It is submitted that if that was so, there was no purpose
to enter into the consent terms at all.
3.4 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that there is no basis, in
any event, for the Division Bench to ignore the clear recognition of the
appellants’ entitlement under the consent terms/consent decree.
3.5 Now so far as the observations made by the learned Si ngle
Judge on the necessity to have supplementary consent terms, before the
other terms of the consent decree are acted upon is concer ned, it is
vehemently submitted that the same is erroneous. It is submitted that the
reliance placed upon clauses 13, 22, 23 and 27 of the consent terms by
the learned Single Judge is absolutely misplaced. It is subm itted that
there is not a single clause in the entire consent terms and/or the consent
decree which either expressly or impliedly postpones or in any manner
makes the appellants’ entitlement to get ‘Annexure E’ letter contingent
upon respondent nos. 1 to 6’s specious plea of simultaneity wi th the
supplementary consent terms.
3.6 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that the l earned Single
Judge ought not to have read an implied term into the consent decree
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
and/or consent terms which was never intended by the parties and thereby
making the issuance of ‘Annexure E’ letter to the appellants conditional
and/or subject to the happening of an event, i.e., filing of the
supplementary consent terms, when no such clause finds place either in
the consent decree or consent terms. It is submitted tha t it is a settled
law that an implied term can be read into a contract only whe n it is so
obvious that the parties intended something but inadvertently the same
was left out. In support, reliance is placed upon the deci sion of this
Court in the case of Satya Jain and others v. Anis Ahmed Rushdie
and others (2013) 8 SCC 131 (paragraphs 32 to 35).
3.7 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that as su ch there is no
such contingency supplied anywhere in the consent terms and/or consent
decree and in fact clause 28 of the consent terms read with paragraphs
2, 3 and 6 of the consent decree is an antithesis of the findi ng that
‘Annexure E’ is contingent upon the supplementary consent terms. It is
submitted that ‘Annexure E’ shall not depend upon the supplementary
consent terms to be executed/entered into as observed by the l earned
Single Judge. It is submitted that clause 28 of the consent t erms read
with paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of the consent decree unambiguously and
unequivocally makes it clear that respondent no. 10 and respondent nos.
1 to 6 were to provide ‘Annexure E’ letter immediately and n ot at the
RA Group’s convenience and/or at a later date, as per the whims and
fancies of respondent nos. 1 to 6 or contingent upon the supplementary
consent terms.
3.8 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that none of the clauses in
the consent terms and/or the consent decree provides the supplementary
consent terms contingent upon ‘Annexure E’ letter and/or vice versa. It
is submitted that as held by this Court in the case o f Saradamani
Kandappan v. S. Rajalakshmi and others (2011) 12 SC C 18 , the
order of performance should be expressly stated or provided, i .e., the
agreement should say that only after performance of obligations of the
vendors, the purchaser will have to perform her obligations.
3.9 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Advocate appearing
on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that even otherwise
because of the total non-cooperation on the part of respondent nos. 1 to
6 and with a malafide intention respondent nos. 1 to 6 are not co-operating
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in execution of supplementary consent terms. It is submitted that out of
the four items listed for valuation at clause D9(d) of the consent terms,
item no. (a) is a company in which both brothers hold 25.5% of the
shareholding each and the balance 49% is held by a third party; item no.
(b) and (c) is a company and a property respectively which are held
50:50 by both brothers; item no. (d) is the PA Kash Foods Property
which was to be valued for the purposes of adjustment. It is submitted
that the valuation was not done despite numerous reminders b y the
appellants. It is submitted that several without prejudic e emails were
addressed to respondent nos. 1 to 6 calling upon them to execute a nd
agree to the draft of the supplementary consent terms, which has not
been done till date.
3.10 It is further submitted by the learned Senior Ad vocate
appearing on behalf of the appellants – original plaintiffs that as such the
plaintiffs entered into the consent terms to buy peace and to resolve the
overall family dispute between the parties. It is submitted that as held by
this Court in the case of Hari Shankar Singhania and others v. Gaur
Hari Singhania and others (2006) 4 SCC 658 (para 42 and 43) , a
family settlement is treated differently from any other formal commercial
settlement as such settlement in the eye of the law ensur es peace and
goodwill among the family members. It is submitted that i t is further
observed in the said decision that even technicalities of limitation, etc.
should not be put at risk of the implementation of a settlement drawn by
a family, which is essential for maintaining peace and harmony in a family.
3.11 Making the above submissions and relying upon the aforesaid
decisions of this Court, it is prayed to allow the present appeals.
4. Shri Shyam Divan, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf
of respondent nos. 1 to 6 and 8 & 9 has vehemently submitted th at as
such the notice of motion/execution proceedings by the appellants herein
itself was premature and was for execution of only part of the consent
decree dated 14.08.2015 and therefore the same was not maintainable
at all being premature execution proceedings.
4.1 It is further submitted that the appellants are seeking to execute
a particular clause of consent terms dated 14.08.2015, which under the
said consent terms itself is required to be implemented after the parties
thereto arrived at a supplementary agreement which till da te has not
been arrived at or entered into. It is submitted that therefore the learned
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
Single Judge rightly dismissed the said execution petition. It is submitted
that by these proceedings the appellants are seeking to execute a part of
the consent decree without entering into the supplementary agreement.
4.2 It is further submitted that the orders interpreting the consent
decree are per se reasonable and based on sound reasoning taking into
account all relevant facts and material and submissions adva nced by
both the sides and therefore does not warrant any interferen ce by this
Court.
4.3 It is further submitted that as such the consent terms we nt
well beyond the dispute raised in Civil Suit No. 191/2015 and seeks to
comprehensively resolve all disputes such as those pertaining to the
factories owned by the parties, namely, AISCO, IMTC, Orbi t Arya
Commercial Premises and overall family settlement.
4.4 It is further submitted that parties entered into the consent
terms and the consideration for the RAGroup agreeing to allo t 8 flats
(‘Annexure A’ properties) in favour of the PA Group was that the RA
Group would be rid of the minority status of AISCO – one of the group
companies of both the groups wherein RA Group was in a minority and
whose rights were being oppressed in the said company and the disputes
qua all the other group companies would also achieve quietus. I t is
submitted that in fact the 8 flats (‘Annexure A’ properties) were as such
belonged to RA Group. It is submitted that by the present exe cution
proceedings the appellants want to execute that part of the consent
decree which favours them – allotment of 8 flats (‘ Annexure A’
properties), but without in any manner complying with their obligations
under the consent terms/consent decree, i.e., the e xecution of
supplementary consent terms, as defined in clause 13. It is submitted
that the appellants cannot be permitted to get the consent decree executed
in part and which is in their favour and without in any way complying
with their obligations under the consent decree.
4.5 It is further submitted that neither under the consent terms
nor under the consent decree, there is an obligation on the part of the
RA Group to issue ‘Annexure E’ forthwith upon signing of the consent
terms. It is submitted that if the submission on behalf of the appellants
that ‘Annexure E’ is to be executed forthwith and that vesting/allotment
of PA Kash Foods Property immediately upon signing of the consent
terms is accepted, in that case, it would defeat the pla in language of
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clauses 9, 13, 14, 17 and 18, all of which mandate that matters relating to
PA Kash Foods Property are to be contained in the supplemental consent
terms. It is submitted that the settlement between the parties in all
respects was to be crystallized in the supplemental consent terms. It is
submitted that therefore the present consent terms/consent decree can
be described only as a “framework” in clauses 2, 3 and 30.
4.6 Now so far as reliance placed upon clause 28 of the consent
terms by the appellants is concerned, it is vehemently submitt ed that
clause 28 provides for no direction to RA Group to sign ‘Annexure E’ on
execution of the consent terms. It is submitted that in the ab sence of a
direction in a clause dealing with a “direction/request” to Omkar Builders
regarding ‘Annexure E’ completely militates against PA Group’s
submission and their interpretation. It is submitted that if the intention
was for ‘Annexure E’ to be issued by the RA Group “forthwith”, clause
28 would have been the obvious and natural pace to provide for it. It is
submitted that even the Omkar Builders was not a party to the consent
terms/decree and therefore the contents of clause 28 would not bind it.
It is submitted that it is only with a view for securing compliance of
Omkar Builders that the High Court passed an order on the s ame day
enabling Omkar Builders to issue ‘Annexure E’.
4.7 Now so far as the reliance placed upon clause 22 of the
consent terms by the appellants, it is vehemently submitted that as per
clause 22 RA Group will be free to deal with PA Kash Foods Property
as their exclusive and absolute owners thereof with effect from the
filing of the consent terms and the PA Group does not have any claim
direct, derivative or otherwise of whatsoever nature upon the same. It is
submitted that therefore there may not be any restrain against RA Group
from dealing with the properties that form the subjec t matter of Kash
Foods Property.
4.8 It is further submitted that as both the learned Single Judge as
well as the Division Bench have succinctly interpreted the consent terms/
consent decree and upon understanding and comprehending the intention
of the parties have held that RA Group was not obligated to execute
‘Annexure E’ at this stage and that independently there was no fetter on
the RA Group from dealing with its properties.
4.9 Making the above submissions, it is prayed to dismis s the
present appeals.
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
5. We have heard the learned Senior Advocates for the respective
parties at length.
5.1 At the outset, it is required to be noted that as such the present
proceedings arise out of the execution proceedings initiated by the
appellants herein, who were also parties to the consent terms /consent
decree. The consent decree came to be passed in Suit No. 194/2 015
filed by the PA Group. It is also required to be noted that the dispute in
Civil Suit No. 194/2015 filed by the appellants/PAGroup was for seeking
50:50 division of the benefits received by Kash Food s under the
development agreement with Omkar Builders. However, from the
consent terms dated 14.08.2015, it appears that both the parties – PA
Group and RA Group decided to resolve and settle the other dis putes
also, i.e., over and above the dispute in the suit. From the consent terms,
it appears that both the parties unconditionally and unequivocally
amicably resolved and settled the disputes in relation to the subject matter
of Arya Iron and Steel Company Private Limited (“AI SCO”);
International Minerals Trading Company Private Limited (“IMTC”); Kash
Foods Private Limited’s premises in the Omkar 1973 Project at Worli
(“Kash Foods”), which forms the subject matter of the pr esent Suit;
Orbit Arya Commercial Premises (“Orbit Arya Commercial Premises”);
and Disputes in relation to the larger Arya Group of Companies and its
constituents (collectively “the Dispute”). Further, in the consent terms in
para 2, it has been specifically mentioned that the said consent terms are
an identified and mutually agreed framework for a complete parting of
ways between the parties and is aimed at bringing about an e ventual
complete quietus to the disputes. Clause 3 of the consent terms further
provides that the parties shall execute a definitive “Family Arrangement
and Settlement” and/or writings as may be required and/or as may be
advised for a complete parting of ways, which shall work on the basis of
the said mutually agreed framework (“Family Arrange ment and
Settlement”). Other terms and conditions provide for modaliti es to be
worked out to enter into a further “Family Arrangement and Settlement”.
Clause 13 also provides for execution of supplemental consent te rms.
Clause 21 also further provides that until conclusion of the transfer, the
parties shall not affect each other’s rights, in any way in AISCO and/or
IMTC. As per clause 22 of the consent terms, RA Group and/o r Kash
Foods shall not in any manner directly and/or indirectly or derivatively
be entitled to sell and/or transfer, and/or dispose of and/or e ncumber
and/or otherwise deal with the PA Kash Foods Property . It further
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provides that the modification, if any, of the Restraint, shall be identified
in the supplementary consent terms. Clause 23 of the consent t erms
further provides that the RA Group and/or Kash Foods shall publish a
Public Notice within 3 days of filing of the supplemental consent terms,
withdrawing their claims in relation to PA Kash Foods Property (more
particularly described at ‘Annexure C’). Clause 25 also further provides
that similarly the PA Group shall publish a Public Notice within 3 days of
filing of the supplemental consent terms, as more particularly described
at ‘Annexure D’. Clause 28 of the consent terms further pro vides that
Omkar Builders be directed/requested to issue a separate letter in relation
to the PA Group’s entitlement to the PA Kash Foods Property in Omkar
1973 Project (more particularly ‘Annexure A’) as per draft at ‘Annexure
E’. Under the said clause, Omkar Builders was also further directed to
strictly abide by the Restraint in relation to the PA Kash Foods property.
The relevant terms of the settlement are as under:
“The parties have unconditionally and unequivocally amicably
resolved and settled the disputes in relation to the subject matter
of:
a. Arya Iron and Steel Company Private Limited (“AISCO”);
b. International Minerals Trading Company Private Li mited
(“IMTC”)
c. Kash Foods Private Limited’s premises in the Omkar 1973
Project at Worli (“Kash Foods”), which forms the subject matter
of the present Suit;
d. Orbit Arya Commercial Premises (“Orbit Arya Commer cial
Premises”); and
e. Disputes in relation to the larger Arya Group of Companies and
its constituents (collectively “the Dispute”)
2. The present Consent Terms is an identified and mutually agreed
framework for a complete parting of ways between the Part ies
and is aimed at bringing about an eventual complete quietus to the
Disputes.
3. The Parties shall on or before November 1, 2015 (or such date
as may be mutually extended in writing by the Parties) execute a
definitive Family Arrangement and Settlement and/or writi ngs
(including such documents, writings, undertakings and agreements)
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
as may be required and/or as may be advised for a complet e
parting of ways, which shall work on the basis of the said mutually
agreed framework (“Family Arrangement and Settlement”).
13. As to the (i) PA Kash Foods Property and (ii) Orbit Ar ya
Commercial Premises the Parties have agreed that they wou ld
mutually decide the modalities of brief to the Valuers and the Third
Valuer and mode of adjustment/payment on or before August 29,
2015; and Supplemental Consent Terms recording the same
(“Supplemental Consent Terms”) shall be filed in this Co urt on
August 30, 2015.
14. On arriving at a final valuation for the Orbit Arya Commercial
Premises the PA Group agrees to take over the RA Group’s 50%
share in the Orbit Arya Commercial Shop as per the moda lity
identified in the Supplementary Consent Terms.
18. The Parties further agree that if there is any d ispute or
difference of opinion with respect to modalities for valuat ion,
method of adjustment/payment, Bidding Process and subsequent
Transfer Process, modalities for consummation of transaction and/
or guidelines for Valuers then the Parties have agreed that t heir
respective nominated Attorneys will be authorized to respective
Parties to resolve such dispute/difference of opinion. The Parties
undertake not to, at any stage, raise any objection relating to conflict
of Interest against the said Attorneys for assisting in re solving
such matters.
21. Until conclusion of the transfer the Parties shall not affect
each other’s rights in any way in AISCO and/or IMTC.
22. RA Group and/or Kash Foods shall not in any manner, directly
and/or indirectly or derivatively, be entitled to sell and/or transfer
and/or dispose of and/or encumber and/or otherwise deal with
the PA Kash Foods Property (more particularly defined in the
schedule of Annexure A) (the “Restraint”). The modification, if
any, of the Restraint, shall be identified in the Supplementa ry
Consent Terms. It is expressly agreed and understood betwe en
the Parties that the RA Group is free to deal with RA Kash Foods
Property (as more particularly defined in Annexure B) as the ir
exclusive and absolute owners thereof with effect from the filing
of these consent terms and the PA Group does not have any claim
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direct, derivative or otherwise of whatsoever nature upon t he
same.
23. The RA Group and/or Kash Foods shall publish a Public Notice
within 3 days of filing of the Supplemental Consent Te rms,
withdrawing their claims in relation to PA Kash Foods Property
(as more particularly described at Annexure C).
24. The PA Group withdraws all allegations against the Defendants
in the captioned Suit and confirms that the PA Group does not
have any further interest in Kash Foods Pvt. Ltd or any of it s
properties save and except properties described in PA Kash Foods
Portion, more particularly described at Annexure A herein.
25. The PA Group shall publish a Public Notice within 3 days of
filing of the Supplemental Consent Terms, as more particularl y
described at Annexure D.
26. In so far as the eventual and complete parting of ways between
the Parties, the Parties agree that the larger group matters, which
shall be mutually identified in the Supplementary Consent Terms,
shall be finally determined, decided and settled by 4 Mediators –
2 appointed by PA Group and 2 appointed by RA Group. The
Mediators shall be appointed on or before August 29, 2015.
27. The Parties hereto agree that for the purpose of giving effect
to and/or implementing these Consent Terms, each pa rty
unconditionally irrevocably undertakes that it shall, from time to
time and at all times at the request of the other party provide full
and complete co-operation and do all such further acts, matters,
debts and/or things that are in any manner required and/or
necessary, and/or may be necessary and/or as may be and/or are
reasonably required by the other Party including ex ecuting
Supplementary Consent Terms hereto.
28. Omkar Realtors and Developers Private Limited (“Omk ar”
or “Defendant No. 10”) is hereby directed /requested to issue a
separate letter in relation to the PA Group’s entitlement to the PA
Kash Foods Property in Omkar 1973 Project (more particular ly
annexed at Annexure A hereto) as per draft at Annexure E hereto.
Omkar is hereby further directed to strictly abide by the Restrain
in relation to the PA Kash Foods Property.
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
30. The present Consent Terms provide a frame work for resolution
of all matters. The Parties are at liberty to suitably amend and/or
modify the frame work by mutual consent for the purpose of more
effectively dealing with modalities as may be required from time
to time.”
From the aforesaid terms of settlement, it can be seen that it was
an overall settlement of all the disputes between the parties in relation to
the subject matter of AISCO, IMTC, Kash Foods, Orbit Arya Commercial
Premises and the disputes in relation to the larger Arya Group of
Companies and its constituents. As observed hereinabove and so stated
in clause 2 of the terms of settlement, the consent terms is an identified
and mutually agreed framework for a complete parting of ways between
the Parties and is aimed at bringing about an eventual complete quietus
to the Disputes Considering the aforesaid terms of the settlement which
subsequently became part of the consent decree, further enter ing into
the family arrangement/supplemental consent terms was required to be
entered into between the parties and the modalities to be worked out
with respect to the valuation, bidding etc. are also mention ed in the
consent terms. At the same time, under the consent terms/consent decree
and as agreed between the parties, 8 flats as mentioned in the list at
‘Annexure A’ to the consent terms are agreed to be allotted unde r the
re-developed building to the PA Group and the flats mentioned in the list
at ‘Annexure B’ to the consent terms are agreed to be allo tted to RA
Group. For the 8 flats allotted to PA Group, Omkar Builders – original
defendant no.10 was required to issue a separate letter in relation to the
PA Group’s entitlement to the PA Kash Foods Property in Omkar 1973
project as per draft at ‘Annexure E’ to the consent terms. Allotment of
the 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ to the consent terms in favour of
PA Group is not disputed and cannot be disputed. Even in paragraph 3
of the consent decree, the submissions of the learned counsel appearing
on behalf of the respective parties have been recorded a nd as per the
submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of both
the parties – PAGroup & RA Group, the division in ‘Annexure A and
Annexure B’ is final, viz-a-viz defendant no.10 – Omkar Builders. Para
3 of the consent decree reads as under:
“3. Mr. Samdani, learned Senior Advocate on behalf of Defendant
No. 10, the developer, states that this division of flats in Annexures
“A” and “B” is between the two Arya groups inter se. For their
789
part, Mr. Dwarkadas, learned Senior Advocate for the Plaintiffs,
and Mr. Jagtiani, learned Senior Advocate for Ravi Arya Group,
agree that the division in Annexures “A” and “B” is final vis-a’-
vis Defendant No. 10. They also agree that allotments made and
possession given in terms of Annexure “A” and Annexure “B”
would constitute a full, sufficient and complete discharge of the
10 th Defendant’s obligations under the Development Agreement,
as also the individual flat agreements already executed in favour
of the parties. In view of these statements made by Mr. Dwarkadas
and Mr. Jagtiani, which are on instructions, Mr. Samdani states,
on instructions, that his clients, Defendant No. 10, will issue the
letter a proforma of which is at Exhibit “E” to the consent terms.”
It appears that as such original defendant no.10 – Omkar Builders
had already issued the letter in the proforma as per ‘Annexure E’ to the
consent terms in favour of PA Group with respect to 8 flats allotted to
PA Group. Therefore, it appears that so far as original defendant no. 10
is concerned, original defendant no.10 has already complied with its
obligation under the consent decree. However, RA Group is not counter-
signing the said ‘Annexure E’ and therefore there is not complete transfer
of 8 flats in favour of PA Group which as such are allotted to t hem.
Therefore, making a grievance by not counter-signing the le tter of
allotment as per ‘Annexure E’, the original defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RA
Group have refused to abide by the consent terms/consent decree. It is
the case on behalf of original defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RA G roup that
unless and until there is a total compliance of the consent terms/consent
decree including entering into or execution of the supplemental consent
terms/family arrangement as agreed between the parties as per the
consent terms/consent decree the defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RA Group are
justified in not counter-signing the letter of allotment as per ‘Annexure
E’. On the other hand, it is the case on behalf of the appellants – plaintiffs
that further execution of supplemental consent terms/family arrangement
has nothing to do with the allotment of 8 flats in favour of PA Group.
6. Having heard the learned Senior Advocates for the respective
parties and considering the relevant terms of the settlement, reproduced
hereinabove, we are of the opinion that further execution of supplemental
consent terms/family arrangement is required to be executed between
the parties. For whatever reasons, the further supplemental consent terms
have not been entered into between the parties. Therefore, as such,
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
considering the fact that the parties entered into the consent terms/
settlement for a complete parting of ways between the par ties and so
aimed at bringing about an eventual complete quietus to the di sputes
between the parties and even parties entered into the consent terms/
settlement to resolve and settle the disputes in relati on to the subject
matter of AISCO, IMTC, Kash Foods, Orbit Arya Commercial Premises
and the disputes in relation to the larger Arya Group of Companies and
its constituents, which were beyond the dispute in the civil suit, the entire
consent terms/consent decree is required to be acted upon and/or
implemented by both the parties. There cannot be any execution of partial
consent terms/consent decree. If the submission on behalf of the plaintiffs
is accepted and the 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ ar e transferred
absolutely and without any condition in favour of PA Group without there
being any further supplemental consent terms/family arrange ment, in
that case, the entire object and purpose of entering into the consent
terms/settlement to resolve all the disputes between the parties will be
frustrated. Both the parties to the consent terms/consent decree are
required to fully comply with the terms of settlement/the consent terms
and the consent decree. One party cannot be permitted to say tha t that
portion of the settlement which is in their favour be execut ed and/or
complied with and not the other terms of the settlement/consent terms/
consent decree. Under the circumstances, as such, both, the lear ned
Single Judge as well as the Division Bench are justified in holding that
the execution of the further supplemental consent t erms/family
arrangement is must and there cannot be any partial executio n of the
consent terms/consent decree.
7. Even in the case of Hari Shankar Singhania (supra) , the
decision which has been relied upon by the learned seni or counsel
appearing on behalf of the appellants, this Court has observed t hat a
family settlement is treated differently from any other formal commercial
settlement as such settlement in the eye of the law ensur es peace and
goodwill among the family members. It is further ob served that
technicalities should not be put at risk of the implem entation of a
settlement drawn by a family, which is essential for maintaining peace
and harmony in a family. It is further observed that it is the duty of the
court that such an arrangement and the terms thereof should be gi ven
effect to in letter and spirit.
791
7.1 In the case of Manish Mohan Sharma (supra) , this Court
has observed and held that effort of the executing court must be to see
that the parties are given the fruits of the decree. It is furthe r observed
that mandate is reinforced when it is a consent decree and doubly
reinforced when the consent decree is a family settlement.
8. Now so far as the relied placed upon the decision of this Court
in the case of Saradamani Kandappan (supra) , relied upon by the
learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of the appellants – plaintiffs,
more particularly reliance placed upon paragraph 54 of the said judgment
in support of his submission that in the consent terms/consent decree, it
is expressly stated or provided the order of performance, namely, that
the further supplementary settlement is to be executed a nd only after
such execution the 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ t o the consent
terms shall be allotted in favour of PA Group is concerned, on considering
conjoint reading of the terms of the settlement, the said decision shall not
be applicable to the facts of the case on hand.
8.1 Even on conjoint reading of all the terms of the settleme nt,
more particularly the clauses referred to hereinabove, it can be said that
there is an implied term that both the parties have intended that on one
hand as agreed between the parties further supplemental consent terms/
family arrangement is to be entered into and on the other hand th ere
shall be transfer/allotment of 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ in favour
of PA Group. Any other interpretation would lead to unworking of the
consent terms/consent decree. As observed hereinabove, if the consent
decree is partially executed and the other parts of the consent terms are
not implemented and/or acted upon, the object and purpose to resolve all
the disputes amicably between the parties and to put an end t o all the
disputes between the parties will be frustrated.
9. However, at the same time, one cannot lose sight of th e fact
that the 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ are allott ed in favour of PA
Group and rest of the 7 flats as per list at ‘Annexure B’ are allotted in
favour of RA Group. At present, the RA Group is in possession of all the
15 flats. The RA Group is also the beneficiary of Rs.45 crores. Therefore,
to strike the balance between the parties, the RA Group can be directed
to counter-sign ‘Annexure E’ letter issued by Omkar Builders with respect
to 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ which are allotted in favour of PA
Group. However, with a caveat that till the further supplemental consent
terms/family arrangement as agreed between the partie s under the
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]
consent terms/consent decree is not executed, PA Groupmay not be
permitted to sell, transfer and/or deal with the said flats till the consent
terms/consent decree is fully acted upon and implemented between the
parties. At the same time, both the parties are required to be directed to
fully implement the consent terms/consent decree and to enter into further
supplemental consent terms/family arrangement, the modalities of which
are mentioned in the consent terms itself, at the earliest and within a
reasonable time. Until then, both the parties to abide as per the Restraint
order as per clause 22 of the consent terms, except the 7 flats as per list
at ‘Annexure B’, which are allotted in favour of RA Group.
10. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, t he
impugned judgment and order passed by the Division Bench of the High
Court and that of the learned Single Judge are hereby modified as under:
i)Both the parties – PA Group & RA Group are directed to fully
comply with the consent terms/consent decree and enter into the further
supplemental consent terms/family arrangement after foll owing the
modalities to be worked out with respect to valuation, bid ding etc. as
mentioned in the consent terms itself, within a period of four months
from today. Both the parties are directed to cooperate to f ully comply
with the consent terms/consent decree and fulfil their respective part of
obligation under the consent terms/consent decree;
ii) that the RA Group shall counter-sign ‘Annexure E’ letter with
respect to 8 flats as per list at ‘Annexure A’ to the conse nt terms for
which the original defendant no.10 – Omkar Builders had already issued
a letter, within a period of two weeks. However, it is directed that till the
consent terms/consent decree is fully implemented by both the parties
and further supplemental consent terms/family arrangement, as ordered
hereinabove, is entered into/executed, the PA Group shall not alienate
and/or transfer in any manner whatsoever the said 8 flats. At the same
time, it will be open for original defendant nos. 1 to 6 – RAGroup to deal
with the 7 flats as per list at ‘Annexure B’ which are all otted to them.
At the same time, both the parties to act as per the Re straint order as
per clause 22 of the consent terms. The original injunction gr anted by
the learned Single Judge which has been continued till date is directed to
be continued till the execution of the further supplemental consent terms/
family arrangement except the 7 flats as per the list at ‘Annexure B’
which are allotted in favour of RA Group.
793
11. With the aforesaid observations and directions, both these
appeals stand disposed of. However, in the facts and circumstan ces of
the case, there shall be no order as to costs.
Ankit Gyan Appeals disposed of.
PAWAN KUMAR ARYA v. RAVI KUMAR ARYA
[M. R. SHAH, J.]