Promise to pay time barred debts under Section 25 of Contract Act must be express #indianlaws

 An implied promise to pay inferred from an acknowledgment could not be made the basis of the suit to recover a debt barred at the time of the acknowledgment unless it is express

The award passed was challenged on the ground that claim sought to be passed since was barred by limitation, the award passed was not correct. The claim forming the base of dispute was based on a promise to pay an amount in writing under Section 25(3) of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (ICA). The claim was preferred well after three years since it become due. Section 25 deals with Agreement without consideration. Such agreement is void unless in writing and registered, or is a promise to compensate for something done, or is a promise to pay a debt barred by limitation law. Sub-section (3) of Section 25 provides for a promise, made in writing and signed by the person to be charged therewith, or by his agent generally or specially authorized in that behalf, to pay wholly or in part a debt.

In the instant matter, promise to pay in writing was stated to be made through a letter which though disputing and denying the payment as claimed (in terms of figures) and it was mentioned that correct figure could be arrived only by way of mutual verification. It was further mentioned that payment legally due is not denied.

The Court observed that whatever was shown as outstanding figure was disputed and denied for want of mutual verification and clarification, but dues per se was not denied. Arbitrator considered this aspect as an admission on the part of the Petitioner and accordingly a promise to pay and since it was in writing the same was an express promise to pay. Unless the Petitioner could show that the demand is illegal, the express promise to pay would have to be performed by payment.

The promise to pay must be express. An implied promise to pay inferred from an acknowledgment could not be made the basis of the suit to recover a debt barred at the time of the acknowledgment and since S. 25(3) relates to promise to pay a debt, already time barred.

In the instant matter, the Petitioner failed to show the Arbitrator and also the  Court how the demand made was not legal and consequently the petition was dismissed.

[Gem Synth Resins Pvt. Ltd. v Mahendra Rosin and Turpentine Pvt. Ltd.]

(Bombay HC, 11.06.2014)