The Supreme Court has recalled its 13.12.2024 order that had allowed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) based on a purported settlement agreement in a decades-old property dispute, after serious allegations of fraud and unauthorized representation surfaced.
The case concerned petitioner’s suit for specific performance of a 1986 sale agreement, which had been dismissed by the trial court, first appellate court, and Patna High Court on findings that the agreement and payment receipts were fabricated. The SLP against the High Court’s 15.07.2024 judgment was disposed of on 13.12.2024 in terms of a “settlement” dated 24.10.2024, purportedly signed by both parties.
Respondent later moved the Court stating he had never executed any settlement, engaged any counsel, or authorized anyone to appear for him. He alleged a conspiracy involving forged signatures, a fraudulent caveat, and impersonation in court to secure the order.
On 13.05.2025, the Court noted that advocates had appeared on record for the respondent without his consent, with some denying any involvement. It ordered a preliminary inquiry, recalled the 13.12.2024 order, and restored the SLP.
In its 05.08.2025 order, the Bench of Justices Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Atul S. Chandurkar directed the Bar Council of India to conduct a detailed inquiry into the preparation, filing, and conduct of proceedings based on the alleged settlement, including the role of the advocates involved, and to submit its report by October 2025
Appearances:
Petitioner: Ms. Vivya Nagpal, AOR; Mr. Abhishek Rai, Adv.; Mr. Gyanant Singh, Adv.; Mr. Sarthak Shankar, Adv.; Mr. Ekansh Bansal, Adv.
Ms. Osheen Jain, Adv.; Mr. Priyanshu Kunar, Adv.; Mr. Chinmoy Pradip Sharma, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Saurajay Nanda, Adv.; Mr. Vijay Deora, Adv.
Ms. Raadhika Chawla, Adv.; Ms. Mehak Joshi, Adv.; Mr. Irfan Hasieb, Adv.
Mr. Aditya Aggarwal, Adv.; Mr. Arindam Mukherjee, Adv.; Mr. Prabhat Pachauri, Adv.; Mr. S. K. Verma, AOR; Mr. Vipin Nair, AOR; Mr. Nikhil Jain, Adv.; Mr. Amit Sharma, Adv.
For Respondent(s) : Mr. J. M. Khanna, AOR
