Section 54 in The Specific Relief Act, 1977 (1920 A.D.)
54. Perpetual injunctions when granted.
- Subject to the other provisions contained in, or referred to by this Chapter, a perpetual injunction may be granted to prevent the breach of an obligation existing in favour of the applicant, whether expressly or by implication.When such obligation arises from contract, the Court shall be guided by the rules and provisions contained in Chapter 11 of this Act.When the defendant invades or threatens to invade the plaintiffs right to, or enjoyment of, property, the Court may grant a perpetual injunction in the following cases, namely :-(a)where the defendant is trustee of the property for the plaintiff;(b)where there exists no standard for ascertaining the actual damage caused, or likely to be caused, by the invasion;(c)where the invasion is such that pecuniary compensation would not afford adequate relief;(d)where it is probable that pecuniary compensation cannot be got for the invasion ;(e)where the injunction is necessary to prevent a multiplicity of judicial proceedings.Explanation. - For the purpose of this section a trademark is property.Illustrations.(a)A lets certain land to B, and B contracts not to dig sand or gravel there. A may sue for an injunction to restrain B from digging in violation of his contract.(b)A trustee threatens a breach of trust. His co-trustees, if any, should, and the beneficial owners may, sue for an injunction to prevent the breach.(c)The directors of a public company are about to pay a dividend out of capital or borrowed money. Any of the shareholders may sue for an injunction to restrain them.(d)The directors of a fire and life insurance company are about to engage in marine insurances. Any of the shareholders may sue for an injunction to restrain them.(e)A, an executor, through misconduct or insolvency, is bringing the property of the deceased into danger. The court may grant an injunction to restrain him from getting in the assets.(f)A a trustee for B, is about to make an imprudent sale of a small part of the trust property. B may sue for an injunction to restrain the sale, even though compensation in money would have afforded him adequate relief.(g)A makes a settlement (not founded on marriage or other valuable consideration) of an estate on B and his children. A then contracts to sell the estate to C. B or any of his children may sue for an injunction to restrain the sale.(h)In the course of A's employment as a vakil, certain papers belonging to his client, B, came into his possession. A threatens to make these papers public, or to communicate, their contents to a stranger. B may sue for an injunction to restrain A from so doing.(i)A is B's medical adviser. He demands money of B which B declines to pay. A then threatens to make known the effect of B's communications to him as a patient. This is contrary to A's duty, and B may sue for a injunction to restrain him from so doing.(j)A, the owner of two adjoining houses, lets one to B and afterwards lets the other to C. A and C begin to make such alterations in the house let to C as will prevent comfortable enjoyment of the house let to B. B may sue for an injunction to restrain them from so doing.(k)A lets certain arable land to B for purposes of husbandry but without any express contract as to the mode of cultivation. Contrary to the mode of cultivation customary in the district, B threatens to sow the lands with seed injurious thereto and requiring many years to eradicate. A may sue for an injunction to restrain B from sowing the land in contravention of his implied contract to use them in a husband-like manner.(l)A, B and C are partners, the partnership being determinable at will. A threatens to do an act tending to the destruction of the partnership property. B and C may, without seeking a dissolution of the partnership, sue for an injunction to restrain A from doing the act.(m)A, a Hindu widow in possession of her deceased husband's property, commits destruction of the property without any cause sufficient to justify her in so doing. The heir-expectant may sue for an injunction to restrain her.(n)A, B and C are members of an undivided Hindu family. A cuts timber growing on the family -property ; and threatens to destroy part of the family house and to sell some of the family-utensils. B and C may sue for an injunction to restrain him.(o)A, the owner of certain houses in Srinagar, becomes insolvent. B buys then from the Official Assignee and enters into possession. A persists in trespassing on and damaging the houses, and B is thereby compelled, at considerable expense, to employ men to protect the possession. B may sue for an injunction to restrain further acts of trespass.(p)The inhabitants of a village claim a right of way over A's land. In a suit against several of them, A obtains a declaratory decree that his land is subject to no such right. Afterwards each of the other villagers sue A for obstructing his alleged right of way over the land. A may sue for an injunction to restrain them.(q)A, in an administration suit to which a creditor, B, is not a party, obtains a decree for the administration of C's assets. B proceeds against C's estate for his debt. A may sue for an injunction to restrain B.(r)A and B are in possession of contiguous lands and of the mines underneath them. A works his mine so as to extend under B's mine and threatens to remove certain pillars which help to support B's mine. B may sue for an injunction to restrain him for so doing.(s)A rings bells or makes some other unnecessary noise so near a house as to interfere materially and unreasonably with the physical comfort of the occupier, B. B may sue for an injunction restraining A from making the noise.(t)A pollutes the air with smoke so as to interfere materially with the physical comfort of B and C, who carry on business in a neighbouring house. B and C may sue for an injunction to restrain the pollution.(u)A infringes B's patent. If the Court is satisfied that the patent is valid and has been infringed, B may obtain an injunction to restrain the infringement.(v)A pirates B's copyright. B may obtain an injunction to restrain the piracy, unless the work of which copyright is claimed is libellous or obscene.(w)A improperly uses trade-mark of B. B may obtain an injunction to restrain the user, provided that B's use of the trade mark is honest.(x)A, a tradesman, holds out B as his partner against the wish and without the authority of B. B may sue for an injunction to restrain A from so doing.(y)A, a very eminent man, writes letters on family topics to B. After the death of A and B, C who is B's residuary legatee, proposes to make money by publishing A's letters. D, who is A's executor, has a property in the letters, and may sue for an injunction to restrain C from publishing them.(z)A carries on a manufactory ana ts is ms assistant, in the course of his business, A imparts to B a secret process of value. B afterwards demands money of A threatening, in case of refusal, to disclose the process to C, A rival manufacturer. A may sue for an injunction to restrain B from disclosing the process.
