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Thursday, 12 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Specific Relief Act, 1963 · Chapter IV: Rescission Of Contracts

Section 28 Specific Relief Act: Rescission in certain circumstances of contracts for the sale or lease of immovable property, the specific performance of which has been decreed

Bare Act text

28. Rescission in certain circumstances of contracts for the sale or lease of immovable property, the specific performance of which has been decreed.—(1) Where in any suit a decree for specific performance of a contract for the sale or lease of immovable property has been made and the purchaser or lessee does not, within the period allowed by the decree or such further period as the court may allow, pay the purchase money or other sum which the court has ordered him to pay, the vendor or lessor may apply in the same suit in which the decree is made, to have the contract rescinded and on such application the court may, by order, rescind the contract either so far as regards the party in default or altogether, as the justice of the case may require.

(2) Where a contract is rescinded under sub-section (1), the court—

(a) shall direct the purchaser or the lessee, if he has obtained possession of the property under the contract, to restore such possession to the vendor or lessor, and

(b) may direct payment to the vendor or lessor of all the rents and profits which have accrued in respect of the property from the date on which possession was so obtained by the purchaser or lessee until restoration of possession to the vendor or lessor, and, if the justice of the case so requires, the refund of any sum paid by the vendee or the lessee as earnest money or deposit in connection with the contract.

(3) If the purchase or lessee pays the purchase money or other sum which he is ordered to pay under the decree within the period referred to in sub-section (1), the court may, on application made in the same suit, award the purchaser or lessee such further relief as he may be entitled to, including in appropriate cases all or any of the following reliefs, namely:—

(a) the execution of a proper conveyance or lease by the vendor or lessor;

(b) the delivery of possession, or partition and separate possession, of the property on the execution of such conveyance or lease.

(4) No separate suit in respect of any relief which may be claimed under this section shall lie at the instance of a vendor, purchaser, lessor or lessee, as the case may be.

(5) The costs of any proceedings under this section shall be in the discretion of the court.

Text of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 (Act No. 47 of 1963), as amended up to the Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Under sub-section (1), a decree for specific performance of a sale or lease of immovable property may be made. Suppose the buyer or lessee does not pay the ordered sum within the time allowed. The vendor or lessor can then apply in the same suit for rescission. The court may rescind as regards the party in default, or altogether. Under sub-section (2), on rescission the court must direct the buyer to restore any possession obtained. It may direct payment of accrued rents and profits and, if justice requires, refund of earnest money or deposit. Under sub-section (3), if the buyer pays in time, the court may award further relief on application. This includes a proper conveyance or lease, and delivery of possession or partition. Under sub-section (4), no separate suit lies for relief claimable under this section. Under sub-section (5), costs are in the court's discretion.

Chapter IV: Rescission Of Contracts

  1. 27 When rescission may be adjudged or refused
  2. 28 Rescission in certain circumstances of contracts for the sale or lease of immovable property, the specific performance of which has been decreed
  3. 29 Alternative prayer for rescission in suit for specific performance
  4. 30 Court may require parties rescinding to do equity