In support of his contention, the learned Counsel for the appellant refers to the following passage in Principles (c)f the English Law of Contract by Sir William R. Anson, Twenty-second Edition at page. 482, which runs as follows :--
If a deed or contract in writing is altered by addition or erasure, it is discharged, except as against a party making or assenting to the alteration, for 'no man shall be permitted to take the chance of committing a fraud, without running any risk of losing by the event, when it is detected.
This principle is subject to the following rules:
(a) The alteration must be made deliberately by the promisee or by one acting with his consent ; but there is a supposed rule of law that even an alteration by a stranger while the instrument is in the custody of the promisee will have the same effect. This responsibility for the acts of officious burglars cannot be supported.
(b) The alteration must be made without the consent of the other party, else it would operate as a new agreement.
(c) The alteration must be made in a material part. What amounts to a material alteration necessarily depends upon the character of the instrument, and it is possible for the character of an instrument to be affected by an alteration, which does not touch the contractual rights set forth in it.
Madras High Court
S. Perumal Reddiar vs Bank Of Baroda By Its Power Of ... on 7 March, 1980
Equivalent citations: (1981) 1 MLJ 419,AIR1981Mad180
1. This is an appeal by the third defendant S. Perumal Reddiar against the judgment and decree, dated 14th February, 1973, in O. S. No. 99 of 1973 on the file of the Court of the learned Subordinate Judge, Kancheepuram, decreeing the suit with costs as prayed for. The trial Court held that the 2nd defendant will be proceeded against after the remedies are exhausted against the first defendant.
2. The suit is on a promissory note. The case of the plaintiff, Bank of Baroda by its power of attorney agent Kaliprasad Thakur, before the trial Court is that the plaintiff is a banking institution constituted under the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1969, with its branch, among other places at Mangadu and that the suit is instituted by the power of attorney agent Kaliprasad Thakur, the Regional Manager, Southern Region, Mount Road, Madras-2. The 1st defendant K.A. Sundaram Reddiar, the 2nd defendant A. Sundaram Reddiar and the 3rd defendant S. Perumal Reddiar are residing at Kaliampatti village, Uthiramerur Taluk, Chingleput District. The plaintiff, Bank of Baroda at its Mangadu branch afforded to the 1st defendant on 15th March, 1973, crop loan facility for Rs. 15,000 for agricultural purposes on the hypothecation of present and future crops on the 1st defendant's lands bearing Chitta Nos. 39, 377, 281, 130 and 99, of an extent of 43.57 acres of dry and wet lands in No. 219, Kaliampatti village, Uthiramerur Taluk, Chingleput District. The 1st defendant promised to pay the amount on demand with interest at four per cent. over the Reserve Bank of India rate with a minimum of ten per cent. per annum with quarterly rests. On 15th March, 1973, the Ist defendant availed himself of the loan and on the same day, as security for the advance, the 1st defendant executed a demand promissory note and a letter of continuing security. An agreement of hypothecation-cum-guarantee was duly executed by the 1st defendant as principal-debtor and 2nd and 3rd defendants as guarantors, the latter guaranteeing the due repayment of the loan and that their liability is co-extensive with that of the principal-debtor, the 1st defendant. The 1st defendant had not paid any amount towards the advance in spite of repeated demands made by the plaintiff. A notice of demand was issued on 2nd July, 1973. Though the agricultural operation for the season ending May, 1973, was completed the 1st defendant has not paid the amount as promised and when demanded, gave evasive reply. There is now due and payable by the defendants a sum of Rs. 15,476.35 as on 28th June, 1973 and further interest of Rs. 51-30 up to date of plaint, in all aggregating to Rs. 15,527.65. Defendants 2 and 3 joined the 1st defendant in executing the hypothecation-cum-guarantee as guarantors guaranteeing jointly and severally for the due repayment and discharge of the loan by the 1st defendant.
3. In his written statement, the 1st defendant K. L. Sundara Reddiar, has inter alia contended that defendants 1 to 3 and one Ramakrishna Reddiar in partnership proposed to do toddy shop business under licence from the State andthat they approached the plaintiff-bank for accommodating them with a loan for one lakh of rupees on a collateral security of lands belonging to the 3rd defendant, Perumal Reddiar. The plaintiff-bank accepted the title deeds of the property tendered as security by way of equitable mortgage. It was learnt that toddy shops could be taken under credit guarantee scheme. Subsequently, the Area Manager of the plaintiff-bank Mr. Narasimhan, represented to the defendants that the loan would not be granted for the toddy shop business but on the security of the title deeds offered by S. Perumal Reddiar, small agricultural loans could be given in the name of diverse parties. Accordingly, the bank granted a loan of Rs. 15,000 to the 1st defendant, Rs. 1,430.87 to the 2nd defendant, Rs. 15,000 to the 3rd defendant, Rs. 8,000 to Ayyaswami Reddiar, Rs. 5,000 to Ramalinga Reddiar, Rs. 8,000 to Sivarama Reddiar, Rs. 10,000 to K.M. Venkataswami Reddiar and Rs. 2,500 to each of V. Govindaswamy Reddiar, Krishna Reddiar, Varadharajan and Kuppu Reddiar. The sum of Rs. 10,000 sanctioned in favour of the four persons at Rs. 2,500 each was taken by the said Narasimhan for his own purposes. The said Narasimhan has so far failed to pay back the money into the bank and that amount with interest thereon is included in the suit claim. If he had repaid that sum of Rs. 10,000, that there would have been very little left in the suit claim against the defendants. The suit filed by the plaintiff-bank without giving credit to that sum of Rs. 10,000 is mala fide. The suit is bad for non-joinner of parties.
4. The second defendant A. Sundara Reddiar in his written statement has contended that he puts the plaintiff-bask to strict proof of the execution of the suit promissory note by the 1st defendant and payment of consideration. In any event, as he is only a guarantor, he may be made liable for the suit claim only after the plaintiff exhausts its remedy against the 1st defendant.
5. The 3rd defendant S. Perumal Reddiar in Ms written statement has contended that he is not the guarantor for the first defendant, that he did not execute any guarantee agreement in favour of the plaintiff-bank and that he never agreed to stand guarantee and never agreed to be liable for the alleged loan of Rs. 15,000 advanced to the Ist defendant. He is not liable jointly or severally and did not guarantee the repayment of the amount due under the promissory note. He is not aware of the loan to the 1st defendant. He sever signed any guarantee agreement He was an inpatient in the Stanley Hospital at Madras for Gastric trouble from 6th March, 1973 and was discharged from the hospital on 29th March, 1973. He was bed-ridden in Madras Stanley Hospital and could not and did not execute any guarantee agreement as alleged in the plaint. One Radhakrishnan and an Honorary Magistrate came and took the signature of this defendant at Madras Stanley Hospital stating it was a power-of-attorney. Beyond this, nothing else happened. This defendant is not liable for the suit claim. The suit has to be dismissed with his costs.
6. The plaintiff in its reply statement, calling it as rejoinder, has denied that there was any partnership between the defendants and one Ramakrishna Reddiar or they made an application to the plaintiff-bank for a loan of one lakh of rupees. There was a proposal offering the lands of the 3rd defendant as security for the individual advances to be made to the defendants and four others set out in paragraph 3 of the written statement of the 1st defendant. But, as the 3rd defendant fell ill and was admitted in the hospital, no deposit of title deeds was made by him. The advances to parties 7 to 10 were on 10th, 11th and 12th April, 1973 by the agent under his powers and party No. 11-A. Sundaram was given an over-draft and a sum of Rs. 1,430.87 is due from him since February, 1973. The allegation that all the Illloans were covered by a common security is false to the knowledge of the defendants and so, the contention that the suit is bad for non-joinder of parties also is not tenable. The plaintiff is not aware of the financial transactions between the Assistant Area Manager, Narasimhan and the defendants nor is it concerned about the same. The suit should therefore be decreed as prayed for.
7. The 1st defendant remained ex parte during the trial though he filed a written statement.
8. On tae above pleadings, the following issues were framed by the trial Court.
1. Whether the suit is bad for non-joinder of the persons mentioned in paragraph 3 of the written statement and hence act maintainable in law?
2. Whether the defendants 2 and 3 are gurantors and are liable as such?
3. To what relief?
9. On behalf of the plaintiff, P. W. No. 1 V. Srinivasan and P. W. 2 Krishnaswami were examined. Exhibits A-l to A-6 were filed on behalf of the plaintiff. The 3rd defendant Perumal Reddiar, who is the appellant herein, had examined himself as D. W. 1. On behalf of the defendants Exhibit B-1, discharged certificate issued by the Government Stanley Hospital, Madras, was filed.
10. Under issue No. 1, the trial Court held that the suit is not bad for non-joinder of the other parties to it. Under Issue No. 2, the trial Court held that the 2nd defendant has prayed in his written statement that, he, as a guarantor, may be proceeded for the said loan after the 1st defendant had been proceeded against and that this is a reasonable request, which can be considered in equity. It also held under that issue that the claim of the 3rd defendant that his signature was taken in the guarantee agreement Exhibit A-3 just ten minutes before he was taken to the operation theatre, cannot be true, that the 2nd defendant cannot escape his liability on (he guarantee he has given to the plaintiff bank for the 1st defendant on the ground that Exhibit A-3 was signed by him on 28th March, 1973 or 29th March, 1973 instead of 15th March, 1973 and that the blank spaces in the printed Tamil form of guarantee, Exhibit A-3 were filled up subsequently. The trial Court also held that defendants 2 and 3 are guarantors and are liable as such. Under issue No. 3 the trial Court decreed the suit with costs as prayed for.
11. Aggrieved by the above decision of the trial Court, the 3rd defendant S. Perumal Reddiar has come forward with this appeal inter alia contending that he was admitted. In the Stanley Hospital, Madras, on 6th March, 1973 and was operated for duodenal ulcer on the date when the guarantee letter was said to have been executed just before he was taken to the operation theatre and in the circumstances in which be was placed, he could not have signed any paper with the knowledge of its contents. It is also contended that his signature was taken in Exhibit A-3 on the representation that it was a power of attorney. It is further contended that P. W. 2 has admitted that the appellant executed the guarantee letter on 29th March, 1973 in his house and as such, the case of the plaintiff cannot be accepted. It is submitted on behalf of the appellant that he did not sign any guarantee letter but only some blank form on the representation that it was a power-of-attorney. It is also pointed out in this regard that both P. Ws. No. 1 and 2 have deposed that Exhibit A-3 was not filled up when the appellant signed it. It is contended by Mr. T.S. Subramaniam, the learned Counsel for the appellant that P. W. 2 has not followed the procedure in obtaining the signature of the appellant and as such, the guarantee letter, Exhibit A-3 cannot be held as duly executed by the appellant and therefore, there was no due execution of guarantee letter by the appellant herein. In other words, it is contended that inasmuch as the case of the plaintiff, as deposed by P. W. 2, is that the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3 letter of guarantee were filled up after the signature of the appellant was obtained in it, the appellant had no knowledge about the actual sum for which he was standing as a guarantor and therefore, he is not liable under Exhibit A-3 the letter of guarantee.
12. On the other hand, it is contended on behalf of the plaintiff/1st respondent-bank by Mr. V.S. Subramaniam, that inasmuch as the appellant has admitted in his evidence as D. W. 1 that he knew English well and that only after knowing that Exhibit A-3 is a letter of guarantee, he has signed if, it cannot be held that he was having no knowledge that he was signing a letter of guarantee. He contends that Exhibit A-3 is a printed form in Tamil and that it is not the case of the 3rd defendant-appellant that he does not know Tamil. The learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank submits that merely on the ground that P. W. 2 admits, that the blank spaces in the printed form were subsequently filled up, it cannot be held that the appellant is not liable under the letter of guarantee. It is also contended on behalf of the 1st respondent that when the appellant knew that he was putting his signature in Exhibit A-3 as a surety for the 1st defendant, it is not now open to him to say that he is not liable under Exhibit A-3 and in this regard he relies on the evidence of P. W. 2, who states in his cross-examination that at the time when he obtained the signature of the appellant in Exhibit A-3, the appellant knew that he was standing as a surety for the 1st defendant. The point for consideration in this appeal is: Whether the appellant is liable for the suit claim as a guarantor?
13. The appellant as D. W. No. 1 has stated in his evidence that on 6th March, 1973 he was admitted for operation in the Stanley Hospital, Madras, and that he was discharged from the hospital only on 29th March, 1973. Exhibit B-1 is the discharge certificate issued by the Stanley Hospital. Out-patient Department, which shows that the appellant was operated on 14th March, 1973 for duodenal ulcer and discharged from the hospital on 29th March, 1973. D. W. 1 further states in his evidence that before he was taken inside the operation theatre, his signature was obtained by one Radhakrishnan near his bed. According to D. W. 1 there were two persons present at that time and they informed him that the 1st defendant asked them to get his signature. The appellant further states that accordingly he signed the said document. Within ten minutes, after he thus signed the said document, he was taken inside the operation theatre. According to D. W. No. 1, he did not execute any agreement in favour of the 1st defendant. He admits that a notice was issued to him on behalf of the bank and that he did not give any reply.
14. In his cross-examination, the appellant as D. W. 1 states that the 1st defendant is his close relation and that the 1st defendant has transactions with the Mangadu Branch of the plaintiff-bank. D. W. 1 is acquainted with both P. Ws. 1 and 2. D. W. 1 further states that he did not obtain any loan from the Mangadu branch of the plaintiff-bank. D. W. 1 in his cross-examination admits that he had signed both in the bottom of the first page as well as on the reverse side of Exhibit A-3. Though D. W. No. 1 has stated in his cross-examination that the said Radhakrishnan is known to him, he has not examined him as a witness in support of his case. He has not also examined the Honorary Magistrate, who according to him, had accompanied the said Radhakrishnan, According to D. W. 1, it was the said Radhakrishnan, who obtained his signature, but he does not know in what documents he had thus obtained his signature. D. W. 1 further states in his cross-examination that he was discharged from the Stanley Hospital on the morning of 29th March, 1973. He would state that he did not go to the house of P. W. 2. He has denied the suggestion that he had gone to the house of P. W. 2 and signed in Exhibit A-3 and other documents. Though D. W. No. 1 has stated that the 1st and 2nd defendants have signed above his signature in the second page of Exhibit A-3, he would state that he does not remember whether he had seen them signing the same.
15. P. W. 1 is the Manager of the Mangadu branch of the plaintiff bank from 30th April, 1973. In his evidence he states that the 1st defendant had applied for loan from the bank and that Exhibit A-l is the application form given by him. According to P. W. I, Exhibits A-l was given to the bank on 13th March, 1973. P. W. 1 further states in his evidence that Rs. 15,000 was sanctioned by the bank to the 1st defendant and the 1st defendant had also executed a promissory note. Exhibits A-2 is the promissory note executed by the 1st defendant in favour of the plaintiff-bank for Rs. 15,000 and it is dated 15th March, 1973. Defendants 2 and 3 have executed Exhibit A-3 letter of guarantee. Exhibit A-4 is the copy of the ledger account relating to the 1st defendant. Exhibit A-5 is the letter of continuing security executed by the 1st defendant to the plaintiff-bank. Exhibit A-6 is the copy of the notice, dated 2nd July, 1973, issued by the plaintiff-bank to the defendants. During that time, one Krishnan was the manager of the bank. According to P. W. 1, after he became the manager he asked the defendants to repay the amount and at that time, the appellant told him that P. W. 1 could first make a demand with tie 1st defendant and that if he fails to repay, he (appellant) would pay the amount According to P. W. 1, at that time, the appellant herein told him that as he was in the hospital on 15th March, 1973, after his discharge from the hospital, he went to the house of the agent and signed Exhibit A-3 in his house in order to avoid any trouble for the agent. P. W. 1 states that; the appellant herein did not sign in Exhibit A-3 in the hospital.
16. In his cross-examination P. W. 1 states that in Exhibits A-l, the signatures of the persons who intend standing as sureties ought to have been obtained, but the signatures of the sureties were not obtained in it. He also states that in Exhibit A-l, the date is not mentioned. According to him, only when the person who gets the loan from the bank as well as two other persons who stand as sureties for the said person who has applied for the loan in the bank, come together and ask the loan from the bank, the loan would be given by the bank. He also states that it is only during that time, the letter of guarantee is also obtained. He cannot say whether in the instant case the said procedure was followed by the bank authorities. It is admitted by P. W. 1 in his cross-examination that the blank spaces available as against the column relating to the persons who are standing as sureties for the 1st defendant remained unfilled and that the signatures of the sureties have also not been obtained in Exhibit A-l. P. W. 1 specifically states in his cross-examination that it was he who filled up the blank spaces in the first page of Exhibit A-3 subsequent to 30th April, 1973 and that at the time when he filled the blank spaces, the signatures of the three defendants alone were found in Exhibit A-3. He could not say the exact date when he thus filled the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3. He could not say whether the signatures of the defendants in Exhibit A-3 were obtained on 15th March, 1973. He frankly admitted in his cross-examination that as the loan was disbursed on 15th March, 1973, he had filled up the concerned blank space in Exhibit A-3 with the date 15th March, 1973.
17. P. W. 2 Krishnaswami was the Manager of the Mangadu branch of the plaintiff-bank from 4th October, 1971 to 30th April, 1973. He is acquainted with the 2nd and 3rd defendants. According to P. W. 2, the 1st defendant had signed Exhibit A-3, letter of guarantee, even on the date on which the amount was disbursed to him. At that time, the appellant was an in-patient in the hospital. The 1st defendant told him that the appellant would sign in Exhibit A-3 after he was discharged from the hospital. The specific evidence of P. W. 2 is that on 28th March, 1973 or 29th March, 1973, the appellant came to his house and signed Exhibit A-3., P. W. 2 was informed by the 1st defendant through phone that the appellant was discharged from the hospital. P. W. 2 had brought the relevant papers to his house. The 1st and the 3rd defendants came to his house. At that time, the appellant signed in Exhibit A-3. P. W. 2 has stated that the signature of the appellant was not obtained in Exhibit A-3 on the representation that the said document is a power-of-attorney, when he was in the hospital. Even in his cross-examination P. W. 2 states that the signature of the appellant was obtained in Exhibit A-3 only after he was discharged from the Stanley Hospital. P. W. 2 also states in his cross-examination that the signatures of the 1st and 2nd defendants were obtained in Exhibit A-3 even on the date on which the loan was disbursed. According to P. W. 2, due to pressure of work, the signature of the appellant was not obtained in Exhibits A-3. P. W. 2 also admits in his cross-examination that without filling up the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3, the signature of the appellant was obtained in it and that the blank spaces were filled up subsequently.
18. On a careful consideration of the entire evidence available on record, both oral and documentary, I have no hesitation to reject the case of the appellant that the signature in Exhibit A-3 was obtained from him in the Stanley Hospital just about ten minutes prior to himself being taken inside the operation theatre on the representation that the same was only a power-of-attorney. On the other hand, I am satisfied that the evidence let in through P. Ws. 1 and 2 clearly shows that on 15th March, 1973 when the loan was disbursed to the 1st defendant, the signature in Exhibit A-3 was not obtained from the appellant, but the signatures of the 1st and 2nd defendant alone were obtained in it. Their evidence further shows that the appellant went to the house of P. W. 2 and signed in Exhibit A-3 on 29th March, 1973 P. W. 1 specifically admits in his evidence that the blank spaces in the tamil printed form Exhibit A-3 were filled up by him subsequent to 30th April, 1973.
20. It is contended by Mr. V.S. Subramaniam, the learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank, that the filling up of the blank spaces by P. W. 1 subsequent to 30th April, 1973, i. e., after obtaining the signature of the appellant, cannot relieve the appellant from his liability under Exhibit A-3, the letter of guarantee, because in Clause 12 of Exhibit A-3 it is mentioned that persons who stand as surety are liable jointly and severally to the bank for the due repayment of the loan obtained by the principal debtor. On the other hand, Mr. T.S. Subramaniam, the learned Counsel for the appellant contends that the introduction by way of filling up the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3 relating to the date of execution, name of the principal-debtor, names of the sureties, the description of the land for which the loan is advanced, the period of the season for which the loan is advanced, the specific amount advanced as loan and the rate of interest, amount to material alteration and as such Exhibit A-3, the deed of contract, is discharged. In support of his contention, the learned Counsel for the appellant refers to the following passage in Principles (c)f the English Law of Contract by Sir William R. Anson, Twenty-second Edition at page. 482, which runs as follows :--
If a deed or contract in writing is altered by addition or erasure, it is discharged, except as against a party making or assenting to the alteration, for 'no man shall be permitted to take the chance of committing a fraud, without running any risk of losing by the event, when it is detected.
This principle is subject to the following rules:
(a) The alteration must be made deliberately by the promisee or by one acting with his consent ; but there is a supposed rule of law that even an alteration by a stranger while the instrument is in the custody of the promisee will have the same effect. This responsibility for the acts of officious burglars cannot be supported.
(b) The alteration must be made without the consent of the other party, else it would operate as a new agreement.
(c) The alteration must be made in a material part. What amounts to a material alteration necessarily depends upon the character of the instrument, and it is possible for the character of an instrument to be affected by an alteration, which does not touch the contractual rights set forth in it.
21. The learned Counsel for the appellant also refers to the following passage in Chitty on Contracts, Twenty Third Edition, Volume II, 1694:
Altering the terms of guarantee : If, while the instrument of guarantee is in the hands of the party to whom it was given, it is altered in any material particular without the knowledge or consent of the surety, it will become void and the surety will be discharged.
22. The learned Counsel for the appellant relies on the decision in Lakshmammal v. Narasimharaghava Aiyangar (1915) I, L. R, 38 Mad. 746 : 25 M. L. J. 572. for the following proposition:
An alteration in a document which has the effect of enabling the payee to sue on the document in a Court where he could not have sued on it in its original form is a material alteration and as such destroys the right of action on the document.
Altering a negotiable instrument by causing the words 'or order' to disappear and making it non-negotiable is a material alteration, under ordinary law and also under Section 87 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (XXVI of 1861). The facts that the payee eventually filed the suit in another Court different from the one intended at the time of the alteration and that it was not necessary for him to rely on the altered state of document to enable him to succeed therein do not make the alteration any the less material.
23. The learned Counsel for the appellant refers to the decision in Verco Private, Ltd., Padi v. Newandram Naraindas . 4. for the following proposition :--
The insertion of the rate of interest by the promisee in a promissory note after its execution, amounted to material alteration as to render the promissory note unenforceable under Section 87of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The plaintiff, as P. W. 1 had not stated in his evidence that there had been a common intention between the parties to pay interest at the fate mentioned in it and in order to give effect to that intention, he inserted the figure 'regarding thereto' and the word 'Month'. Therefore, the last portion of Section 87 of the Act has no application to the circumstances of this case.
24. The learned Counsel for the appellant refers to the decision in Seth Tulsidoss Lalchand v. G. Rajagopal . for the following proposition:
Even though Section 80 of the Negotiable Instruments Act provides that where a promissory note does not express the rate of interest payable thereon, six per cent. interest shall be payable, any alteration of the instrument by inserting the rate of interest would amount to material alteration. Hence, where in a promissory note executed the rate of interest was left blank and it was filled up later, it will be a material alteration invalidating the instrument. A promissory note which does not mention the rate of interest cannot be said to be an incomplete instrument enabling the promisee to fill up the same so as to complete the instrument within the meaning of Section 20 of the Act.
25. In support of his contention, the learned Counsel for the appellant also refers to the provisions under Sections 133 and 139 of the Indian Contract Act (IX of 1872). Section 133 of the Indian Contract Act reads as follows:
Any variance, made without the surety's consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety as to transactions subsequent to the variance.
Section 139 of the Indian Contract Act reads as follows:
If the creditor does (sic) any act which is inconsistent with the rights of the surety, or omits to do any act which the duty to the surety requires him to do, and the eventual remedy of the surety himself against the principal debtor is thereby impaired, the surety is discharged.
26. Referring to the provisions under the above sections, the learned Counsel for the appellant submits that material alterations have been made in the contents of Exhibit A-3, when it was in the possession of the 1st respondent-bank. Therefore, he contends that even if the evidence adduced through P. W. 2 that the 1st defendant accompanied the appellant when he had been to the house of P. W. 2 to sign Exhibit A-3 is true, inasmuch as it is the categorical admission on the part of P. W. 1 that it is he who filled up the material particulars in the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3 subsequent to 30th April, 1973, and also his admission that he did not remember the date on which he filled up the blank spaces with particulars his contention that the appellant is discharged by the contract under Exhibit A-3 has to be upheld.
27. The learned Counsel for the appellant vehemently argues that the filling up of the blanks relating to the material particulars in a contract of guarantee, viz., Exhibit A-3, behind the back of the appellant cannot under any circumstance be held to be immaterial and they do not vitiate the contract. He further submits that it is not the case of the plaintiff-1st respondent itself that it was informed by P. W. No. 2 at the time when he had obtained the signature of the appellant in P. W. 2's house that the blank spaces would be filled subsequently with respect to the loan advanced to the 1st defendant or that the appellant was informed at that time about the principal amount advanced to the 1st defendant and also the rate of interest on the sum thus advanced. He also points out that inasmuch as the application form Exhibit A-1 does not contain the name of the appellant as a surety and inasmuch as it does not also contain the signature of the appellant as a surety, it cannot be held that the appellant had signed as a surety in Exhibit A-3 for the 1st defendant, We have already seen that Exhibit A-l does not contain the other names of the persons who intended to stand as sureties for the 1st defendant or the signature of the appellant in the column intended for the signature of the sureties. It is also relevant in this connection to note that the 1st defendant has applied for a loan of Rs. 17,400. It is not in evidence that at any point of time the appellant was made known by the 1st respondent-bank about the loan applied for by the 1st defendant or about the amount that was sanctioned and disbursed to the 1st defendant. Therefore, it cannot be held on the basis of the evidence of P. W. 2 that the 1st defendant accompanied the appellant at the time the latter signed Exhibit A-3 and it cannot be presumed that he knew about the particulars which were subsequently filled up in the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3 by P. W. 1 long after the signature of the appellant was obtained in it.
28. On the other hand, the learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank Mr. V. S. Subramaniam, contends that filling up of the blanks relating to the particulars of the contract of guarantee in a deed does not amount to material alteration and the said contract of guarantee cannot be held to be void and unenforceable. He relies on the following passage in Chitty on Contracts, General Principles, Twenty third Edition, Volume 1394:
Immaterial alteration : An instrument is not discharged by an immaterial alteration that is to say, one which does not alter the legal effect of the instrument or impose a greater liability on the promisor. Thus, the addition, without the assent of the maker, of the words 'on demand' to a promissory note did not vitiate the instrument since the alteration only expressed the legal effect of the note as originally drawn. But the alteration in a charterparty of the time of sailing has been held to be material as it altered its legal effect.
Regarding the point on material alteration, the learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank relies on the following passage in the same volume, at 1394:
Material alteration :-If a promisee deliberately makes a material alteration in a specialty or other instrument containing words of contract without the consent of the promissor, this will discharge the promisor from all liability thereon, even though the original words of the instrument are still legible. The principle which lies behind this rule has been said to be that no man shall be permitted to take the chance of committing a fraud, without running any risk of losing by the event, when it is detected." The promisor is therefore not discharged if the alteration is made by accident or by mistake.
30. Mr. V.S. Subramaniam, the learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank also relies upon the following passage in Mulla's on Indian Contract and Specific Relief Act, Ninth Edition at page 625:
An unauthorised material alteration by the promisee whether that is by adding anything to or by striking out any part of a written contract, avoids the contract against the person otherwise liable upon it. The alteration even if made by a stranger without the knowledge of the promisee or his agent while the contract document is in possession of the promisee or his agent, also discharges the contract but if it is altered by a stranger while the document was not in the custody of the promisee or his agent, the promisor is not discharged. If a guarantor entrusts a letter of guarantee to the principal-debtor and the latter makes an alteration without the assent of the guarantor, then the guarantor is liable because it is due to the act of the principal-debtor and what the principal-debtor does will estop the guarantor from pleading want of authority.
31. The learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank also refers to the decision in M.S. Anirudhan v. Thamco's Bank Ltd. . for the proposition that the law now accepts that unsubstantial alterations, which are to the benefit of the surety, do not discharge the surety from liability. If the alteration is to the disadvantage of the surety or its unsubstanial nature is not self-evident, the surety can claim to be discharged and the Court will not enquire whether it in fact harmed the surety. In M.S. Anirudhan v. Thamco's Bank Ltd. , a guarantor stood surety for an overdraft allowed by a bank. The bank gave a blank guarantee form to the principal-debtor, who filled it up by stating the maximum debt guaranteed to be Re. 25,000/-. The bank was not prepared to accept the guarantee or give accommodation for more than Rs. 20,000/-. The principal debtor made an alteration reducing the sum to Rs. 20,000/- and gave the document to the bank. In a suit against the principal and the surety, the surety pleaded discharge of liability on the basis of the alteration. The Supreme Court, by a majority, held that the surety was not discharged. In the case, the bank sued upon the letter of guarantee and the contention raised by the surety was that there was a material alteration of the instrument of guarantee and as such, he was absolved of all liability on it. It was held, as already seen, that the avoidance of contract by material alteration was inapplicable as the document was not altered while in possession of the bank or its agent but was altered by the principal debtor, who was at the time acting as the agent of the surety. In the instant case, the alteration has been made in Exhibit A-3 while it was in the custody of the bank, by P. W. 1, the then manager of Mangadu branch of the plaintiff-bank. The signature of the appellant alone was obtained by P. W. 2. At the time when the signature of the appellant was obtained in Exhibit A-3 it is the specific evidence of P. W. 2, the then manager of the plaintiff-bank, that the blank spaces in the first page of Exhibit A-3 were remaining blank and that they were unfilled. It admits of no doubt that the subsequent filling up of the blanks in the first page of Exhibits A-3 amounts to alteration of the instrument while in the custody of the bank, especially when it is frankly admitted that those filling up of the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3 were made after the signature in it was obtained from the appellant.
32. In Anirudhan v. Thamco's Bank Ltd. (1964) 1 S. C. J. 495. the document was altered while it was in possession of the principal-debtor. In the intant case, Exhibit A 3 was altered while it was in possession of the bank and it was altered by P. W. 1, who was at that time acting as the agent of the plaintiff-bank at Mangadu. It has not been established in the instant case by the plaintiff-1st respondent that the said intenti on bad been to carry out the intention of the parties. When the material particulars such as the amount for which the appellant is standing as surety and the rate of interest were not made known to him, and the blank spaces relating to the same were subsequently filled upon long after the date which Exhibit A-3 bears, and that too in the absence of the appellant, it cannot be held that the alterations are not material alterations and they do not discharge the surety from liability. Exhibit A-3, the letter of guarantee in the instant case, had been signed by the appellant on 29th March, 1973, when the loan had already been disbursed to the 1st defendant on 15th March, 1973. In the circumstances, I hold that as there was material alteration of the instrument of guarantee, Exhibit A-3, the appellant is absolved of all liability on it. The alterations thus made by way of filling the blank spaces. In Exhibit A-3 cannot be held, under the circumstances to be unsubstantial (sic) nor to the benefit of the surety, and that as such, they do not discharge the surety from the liability. The alterations have been made in Exhibit A-3 certainly to the disadvantage of the appellant. Those alterations are certainly with respect to substantial character and the same is self-evident. When the alterations is the instant case have been made with respect to the amount advanced to the principal debtor as well as with respect to the rate of interest and also relating to the lands for which the loan is advanced, it cannot be held, that the said alterations are not material, because they carried out the intention of the parties already apparent on the face of it.
33. Mr. V.S. Subramaniam, the learned Counsel for the 1st respondent-bank relies on the decision in Nathu Lal v. Mst. Gomit Kuar 52 L. W. 313 : 67 I. A. 318 : (1941) 1 M. L. J. 204 : 190 I. G. 135 : A. I. R. 1940 P. G. 160 for the following propositions:
The rule relating to the effect of material alterations in a deed made after its execution by or with the consent of any party thereto as it prevails in English Courts, applies to Indian cases and can be briefly summarised as follows :--
If an alteration (by erasure, interlineation or otherwise) is made in a material part of a deed after its execution by or with the consent of any party thereto or person entitled thereunder, but without the consent of the party or parties liable thereunder, the deed is thereby made void. The avoidance however is not ab initio or so as to nullify any conveyancing effect which the deed has already had; but only operates as from the time of such alteration and so as to prevent the person who has made or authorised the alteration and those claiming under him from putting the deed in a suit to enforce, against any, party bound thereby who did not consent to the alteration, any obligation, covenant or promise thereby undertaken or made.
A material alteration is one which varies the rights, liabilities, or legal position of the parties ascertained by the deed in its original state or otherwise varies the legal effect of the instrument as originally expressed, or reduces to certainy some provision which was originally unascertained and as such void, or may otherwise prejudice the party bound by the deed as originally executed.
The effect of making such an alteration without the consent of the party bound is exactly the same as that of cancelling the deed. The avoidance of the deed is not retrospective and does not re-vest or re-convey any estate or interest in property which passed under if. And the deed may be put in evidence to prove that such estate or interest so passed or for any other purpose than to maintain an action to enforce some agreement therein contained.
The alterations of the date of execution of the deed and certain other words by making holes in the document without the consent of the obligee by the party in whose favour it was executed held in the particular case did not amount to material alterations within the meaning of the Rule.
34. In Adsetts v. Hives 55 E. R. 226. a mortgagor executed a mortgage deed to A. B, the solicitor who prepared it. On the following morning, A.B., filled in the date, the names of the tenants and the date of the provision for redemption. It was held that this alteration did not render the deed void.
35. In Doe v. Bingham 106 E. R. If 82. by a deed a mortgagee conveyed to the mortgagor the legal estate, upon being paid the mortage money, and the latter reconveyed it to the trustees for the purpose of securing an annuity.
At the time of the execution by the mortgagee, there were several blanks in the deed but not in that part which affected him. The blanks left were for the sums to be received by the mortgagor from the grantees of the annuity, and were all filled up at the time of the execution of the deed by the mortgagor; but several interlineations were made in that part of the deed, after the execution by the mortgagee. It was held, that the deed was not therefore, void, but operated as a good conveyance of the estate from the mortgagor to the trustees for the payment of the annuity.
36. In Kunhi Sankaran Nambiar v. Narayanan Tirumunpu (1920) I. L. R. 43 Mad. 405 : 38 M. L. J. 2: 11 L. W. 192. a document mortgaging only one item of property, was duly executed, and attested, and another item of his property was interpolated by the mortgagor with the knowledge and consent of the mortgagee in the presence of the same attesting witnesses. The mortgagor registered the deed in the Sub-Registrar's Office within whose jurisdiction the latter item was situated. It appeared that the object of adding the second item was not so much to give an additional security to the mortgage, as to enable the mortgagor do get the document registered near the place where he was living and thus prevent delay in registering the deed. It was lucid that there had been no fraud on the registration law and that the document was duly executed, attested and registered with regard to both items of property.
37. In Bishop of Credition v. Bishop of Exeter (1904 to 1907) All E. R. 552. a deed conveying the advowson of a church was, in October, 1899, signed, sealed, and delivered by all the parties to it but the bishop of E. It was intended that the deed should bear the date upon which it was executed by the Bishop of E., and in the engrossment the day and month were left blank, but the words eighteen hundred and ninety-nine" were written. The deed was sent to the Bishop of E on 4th November, 1899. He executed it on 26th January, 1900, and the date of his execution was inserted in the deed, and "eighteen-ninety-nine" altered to "nineteen hundred". It was held that the deed was valid, as the alteration was only to carry out the intention of the parties.
38. In Paget v. Paget 21 E.R. 701. in a deed of revocation, and a new settlement made by that deed, though after the sealing and execution of the said deed, blanks were filled up in the said deed and the said deed was not read again to the party nor released and executed, it was held that it was a good deed.
39. In the instant case, the 1st defendant principal debtor, has remained ex parte during the trial. Therefore, the evidence of P. W. 2 remains uncorroborated when he asserts that the 1st defendant accompanied the appellant when the latter came to his house and signed Exhibit A-3. It is not quite clear from the evidence of the appellant as D. W. 1 that he admitted that the signatures of the 1st and 2nd defendants were available in Exhibit A-3 when he had put his signature in it. Though it was the case of the appellant, both in his written statement as well as in his evidence, that certain documents were signed by him at the instance of the 1st defendant when he was about to be taken inside the operation theatre, i, e., jus! about ten minutes prior to the operation performed on the appellant yet, he had not specifically stated that he had signed Exhibit A-3. The appellant only states in his evidence that his signature was obtained in some document, which was represented to him as a power of attorney. Therefore, I am constrained to uphold the case of the plaintiff, which is unfurled through the evidence of P. W. 2, that the signature in Exhibit A-3 was obtained either on 28th or 29th of March, 1973. It could not be on 28th March, 1973 because the appellant was discharged from the hospital only on 29th March, 1973 as evidenced by the contents of Exhibit B-1. P W. 2 himself admits that the signature of the appellant was not obtained in Exhibit A-3 on 15th March, 1973, which date it bears. Therefore, it has to be held that the signature of the appellant was obtained in Exhibit A-3 by P. W. 2 and (that the blank spaces were filled up subsequent to 30th April, 1973 by P. W. 1. I hold that the filling up of the blank spaces relating to the material particulars of the contract of guarantee certainly amount to alterations in the deed of guarantee. That those alterations made in Exhibit A-3 amount to material alteration is evident from the fact that the alterations have been made with respect to the date of the contract, amount for which the appellant stands as surety, the property for which the amount is advanced and also the rate of interest. Both P. Ws. 1 and 2 have not stated in their evidence that there had been a common intention between the parties to pay the same as principal amount and also to pay interest at the rate mentioned in Exhibit A-3 and that in order to give effect to that intention, P. W. 1 had filled up the blank spaces in Exhibit A-3. Under these circumstances I hold that the alterations made in Exhibit A-3 render the deed of guarantee unenforceable under Section 133 of the Indian Contract Act.
40. It is contended on behalf of the appellant that if it is to be held that Exhibit A-3 is a valid and enforceable document, under the circumstances, it would amount to giving a free hand to the Bank to substitute any onerous condition in the blank spaces in a printed form of deed of guarantee and subsequently plead that those blanks were filled up as a result of a common intention between the parties and that the same is for the advantage of the persons who stand as sureties. I am unable to reject this contention as unsustainable.
41. The surety, it is often said, is a favoured debtor. An unauthorised material alteration by the promisee whether that is by adding anything to or by striking out any part of a written contract, avoids the contract against the person otherwise liable upon it. In a printed form of guarantee, if the signature of the guarantor is obtained prior to the filling up of the blanks relating to material particulars of the contract, the said filling up of the blank spaces in the printed form of guarantee amounts to material alteration especially when the said deed relating to the contract of guarantee is in the possession of the promisee or his agent, and discharges the contract of guarantee. In the instant case, the alterations have been made by the agent of the Mangadu Branch of the plaintiff-bank while the document was in its custody and so, the said alteration amounts to material alteration and the appellant, who is the promisor, is thereby discharged. In a document of guarantee, if the blank spaces relating to the amount for which the person stands as a guarantor, the date of the instrument, amount for which the person stands as a surety and the rate of interest for which the amount had been advanced, are filled up, such filling up would amount to substantial alteration, which are to the detriment of (he surety and the said material alterations discharges the surety from liability. The said alterations are certainly to the disadvantage of the surety. They cannot be held as alterations of unsubstantial nature and that the surety cannot claim to be discharged. The conduct of P. W. 2 in this case in bringing the deed of guarantee from the bank to his house and asking the appellant to put his signature in it is certainly an act which is not in accordance with the normal procedure. Equally, the act of P. W. 1 in filling up the blank spaces in Exhibits A-3 without the knowledge of the appellant long after the signature of the appellant was obtained in it is really very strange.
42. There is nothing in the evidence to show that at least soon after the material alterations were made, P. W. 1 had informed the appellant or ether parties to the document Exhibit A-3 about the same. It is only Exhibit A-6, copy of the suit notice, dated 2nd July, 1973 that contains the particulars of the transactions between the 1st defendant and the plaintiff-bank. It is mentioned in it only that the appellant and the 2nd defendant have executed the general form of guarantee, guaranteeing the due repayment of the loan on demand and that their liability is co-extensive with that of the principal debtor.
43. The true rule, in . my opinion, applicable to the contract of guarantee is that if there is any agreement between the principals with reference to the contract of guarantee, the surety ought to be consulted. If the alteration is to the disadvantage of the surety, or its unsubstantial nature is not self-evident, the surety can claim to be discharged. The contrat of the surety should not be altered without his consent and the creditor should not undertake to alter the contract and then say, that though the contract had been altered, it was not done to the disadvantage of the surety, especially when such alterations were made with respect to material particulars regarding the contract of guarantee affecting the surety.
44. For the foregoing reasons, I disagree with the finding rendered by the trial Court and hold that the appellant is not liable to pay the suit amount as a surety for the 1st defendant.
45. In the result, the appeal is allowed, the judgment and decree of the trial Court in so far as they are against the 3rd defendant/appellant are set aside and the suit as against the 3rd defendant alone is dismissed without costs. There will be no costs in this appeal.
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