Yogesh Mehta, Sole Proprietor of M/s.M.D. Construction Co v. M/s.Catherine Quinny Trust & Ors.

Mr.Jokim Reis with Mr.R.N.Kachare for res. No.9. ----- CORAM : H.L. GOKHALE & CORAM : H.L. GOKHALE & CORAM : H.L. GOKHALE & S.C.DHARMADHKARI, JJ. S.C.DHARMADHKARI, JJ. S.C.DHARMADHKARI, JJ. DATED : 9TH FEBRUARY 2005 DATED : 9TH FEBRUARY 2005 DATED : 9TH FEBRUARY 2005 P.C. : P.C. : P.C. :

Heard the learned Counsel for the parties.

This petition seeks to challenge the order passed by the Charity Commissioner under Section 36(1)(a) of the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 on 13th December 2004, whereby the Charity Commissioner has allowed the application filed by the trustees of the 1st respondent-Trust seeking permission to sell the property bearing final plot -2- No.1260 situated at old Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai. This plot is of an area of

5220.77 sq. meters. As seen from the order of the Charity Commissioner, the plot has some encroachments and there is also reservation for a school. It is also to be noted that part of the plot will be in the CRZ area. The notices to sell this property have been given in March 2002 wherein the reserved price was fixed at Rs.11 Crores and it so happened that no bids were received in terms of these notices. Ultimately, an offer was made on 24th July 2003 from respondent No.7 for Rs.7.86 Crores. Subsequently the offer was revised to Rs.8.15 Crores on 23rd December 2003.

During the course of the proceedings before the Charity Commissioner, the petitioner claims to have offered Rs.8.50 Crores on 29th November 2004 and respondent No.7 revised its offer to Rs.8.50 Crores. It so happened that the petitioner was asked by the Charity Commissioner specifically as to whether he was prepared to make any down payment. He answered in the negative. It is relevant to note that in the public notice published in the newspapers there was a specific -3- condition that the offerer has to submit his offer along with Demand Draft or Pay Order of Rs.15 Lakhs. It is in these circumstances that the Charity Commissioner has granted the application filed by respondent Nos.1 to 6. Respondent No.7 has already made the payment of Rs.11 Lakhs when the Memorandum of Understanding was arrived at. It was to pay Rs.2.5 Crores by today which were not paid due to this litigation but will be paid within two days and the remaining amount within one week. As against that, respondent No.7 has filed an affidavit in reply and contended that the petition is nothing but a blackmailing tactic. Mr.Seervai appearing for respondent No.7 offered to produce evidence in that behalf.

The only point canvassed by Mr.Dhakephalkar, learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner, is that the petitioner was ready to offer a better amount. He has brought a Demand Draft of Rs.25 Lakhs with him. In this behalf, Mr.Dhakephalkar has relied upon two judgments of Mahesh the apex Court firstly in the case of Mahesh Mahesh Chandra vs. Regional Manager, U.P. Financial Chandra vs. Regional Manager, U.P. Financial Chandra vs. Regional Manager, U.P. Financial