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16. Section 31 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 makes specific provision for cancellation of void as well as voidable instruments. Suits for cancellation of such documents being of civil nature are cognizable by a civil court and even otherwise suits claiming relief provided under Specific Relief Act are entertainable only by a civil court and no revenue court or any other court can entertain such a suit including for cancellation of an instrument or document. Section 31 of the Specific Relief Act reads as under:

18. So far as voidable documents like those obtained by practising coercion, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence etc., are concerned, their legal effect cannot be put to an end without their cancellation. But a void document is not required to be cancelled necessarily. Its legal effect can be put to an end by declaring it to be void and granting some other relief instead of cancelling it. Once it is held to be void, it can be ignored by any court or authority being of no legal effect or consequence. A document executed without free consent or one which is without consideration or the object of which is unlawful or executed by a person not competent to contract like a minor or in excess of authority, would be a void document. In case it is in excess of authority, it would be void to that extent only. There is presumption of due registration of a document and correctness of the facts mentioned in the same, but the said presumption is not conclusive and can be dislodged. On the finding that a particular instrument or document was void because of any reason, it will be of no legal consequence and binding on any one without even its cancellation. But existence of such a document or instrument for a substantial period may cause injury to the person whose rights are affected by it and existence of such instrument may create complications giving rise to unnecessary litigations. But for those who are aware of any judgment holding a particular document or instrument to be void or are supposed to be aware of it, others can be misled by its existence if it does not contain any endorsement of its cancellation subsequent to a decision by any competent court of law.