Madras High Court
Srinivasa vs Rathnasabapathi on 14 December, 1892
Equivalent citations: (1893)ILR 16MAD474
JUDGMENT
1. We are of opinion that the Subordinate Judge is in error in holding that the suit is barred under Section 261, Madras Act IV of 1884. The cases contemplated in that Section are suits for compensation and for damages, and the principle is to allow public bodies time for tender of amends to the parties so as to avoid litigation--see President of the Taluk Board, Sivaganga v. Narayanan I.L.R., 16 Mad., 317 and cases quoted therein: also Ghunder Sikhur Bundopadhya v. Obhoy Churn Bagchi I.L.R., 6 Cal., 8 and Joharmal v. The Municipality of Ahmednagar I.L.R., 6 Bom., 580 Upon the second point we are of opinion that the penalty prescribed by the muchalka of 22nd March 1887 is one which cannot be enforced since the contract renders the penalty altogether irrespective of the importance of the breach--see Soper v. Arnold 37 Ch. D., 96, see also 14 App. Case, p. 429 and Lachman Das v. Chater I.L.R., 10 All., 29 The contract does not fall within the exception to Section 74 of theIndian Contract Act, since the bond was not given under the provisions of any law for the performance of any public duty or act in which the public are interested. No doubt the public are in a sense interested in the proper lighting of the municipal town, but the contract is not one for which any special provision is made in the Municipal Act and cannot be placed in a different category to a contract made with any private individual.
2. The resolution of the Municipal Council of 25th July 1888 was, therefore, ultra vires. We must set aside the decree of the Subordinate Judge and decree in plaintiff's favour for Rs. 424-2-5 with costs in both Courts.