• Person demanding money back after registration

Sir
I have bought a land admeasuring 500sq yards 30years ago in a GP approved layout. LRS also been paid. I have sold land to other person recently through AGPA for a much lesser price. He didn't even pay amount in full and given post dated cheques instead. 
After registration unfortunately a dispute has arised- that plot is falling under government land. But we have met revenue officials showing the previous survey reports and LRS documents. They considered and an inquiry is under process. 
But the problem is with the person who bought the plot. He is threatening us to return double the amount he paid or with huge interest or else he will come to me and drag me to road. This is causing a huge mental trauma. I tried to explain him several times that it is genuine land and i bought with hard earned money and all the regularisation has been done. I also assured him I will roam and fight for the land in the court of law. But he is very stubborn and want his money back with huge interest or else he will make me pay.
How to get out of this situation. Kindly help
Asked 5 months ago in Criminal Law
Religion: Hindu

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9 Answers

You do not have to budge to any threats or pressure  from him in this regard.

Did you sell the property to him by a registered sale deed/

 

If yes, then he cannot demand the cancellation of the registered sale deed and demand return of money that too double the amount.

If it was transferred to him by an unregistered document or only by a power of attorney deed, then you can cancel the power deed and return him the money with nominal interest, if he is not accepting then you can ask him to proceed legally which can be challenged properly.

If he is indulging in any illegal activity against you then you can approach police with a criminal complaint and proceed legally against him.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89957 Answers
2490 Consultations

If he is disturbing constantly and poses persistent threat then nothing stops you from lodging a criminal complaint against him for the acts of threat, criminal intimidation and other violent acts including abusive behavior etc.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89957 Answers
2490 Consultations

You don’t have to return the money if your haven’t done any fraud

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34494 Answers
248 Consultations

You are not bound to pay with huge interest 

 

at most you can cancel sake deed refund money paid by him with 9 per cent interest 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99755 Answers
8141 Consultations

 

Record his threats 

 

file police complaint against him for criminal intimidation 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99755 Answers
8141 Consultations

File a police complaint for threats and harassment. Keep records of all communication. Consult a lawyer to review the land dispute and offer a reasonable settlement. Stay calm and follow up with government officials on the inquiry. Legal intervention is essential to resolve the situation.

 

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
2054 Answers
14 Consultations

Dear Client,

  • What are the legal rights and remedies available against the buyer, who is threatening and demanding an unreasonable refund with interest, even though I sold the plot in good faith and the title regularization process is underway?

The concerned plot was sold through the AGPA, at a disadvantageous price, and this price has not been paid off completely. The current dispute has arisen surrounding the concern of this land falling under Government property. If this is accompanied by registration and regularization under LRS, it implies the Government acceptance of the validity of the title.

In Suraj Lam & Industries Vs. State of Haryana (2012), the Supreme Court has established that a sale through GPA or AGPA alone does not transfer the ownership/ title. This means that, unless the said transaction (sale of property) is registered by a sale deed, the legal title of the property rests with you. 

It is noteworthy that irrespective of whether the sale was effectuated or not, or whether the amount paid is refundable or not, the threatening behavior showcased by the buyer is punishable under the new penal statute. Section 351 of BNS penalizes acts of threatening another person with the intent to cause fear, coerce them into doing something against their will or restrain them from doing something which they are legally entitled to do. Such threats can be related to the person’s body, property, reputation including deceased persons. Persons found guilty of committing the offence under Section 351 shall punishable death or imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Legal principles: Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Sanhita, 2023.  

Hence, at the moment, issue a legal notice to the buyer, stating the Bonafide nature of the transaction along with any proof to substantiate this claim. Point out the Government inquiry regarding the title of the land. Lastly, give intimation of the need to proceed with respect to section 351, if the threats are to continue. 

I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
11006 Answers
125 Consultations

You purchased the land 30 years ago in a Gram Panchayat-approved layout and paid for LRS (Layout Regularisation Scheme), indicating your intention to regularise and comply with planning norms. You sold the land recently through an Agreement of Sale with GPA (AGPA), but the buyer paid only a partial amount and issued post-dated cheques for the rest. Now, a revenue dispute has arisen claiming that the land falls under government land, and an official inquiry is ongoing based on the evidence you submitted, including survey records and LRS documentation.

Despite this, the buyer is threatening you repeatedly—demanding double the amount he paid or repayment with excessive interest—ignoring the fact that the dispute is under government scrutiny. His threats, abusive calls, and coercive tactics constitute harassment and can attract criminal liability.

 

Legal Remedies You Can Pursue Immediately:

  1. File a Police Complaint for Criminal Intimidation (Section 506 IPC) and Criminal Force (Section 503 IPC):
    Record the repeated threats and abusive calls. If the buyer threatens to “drag you onto the road,” this qualifies as criminal intimidation. You can file a written complaint at the local police station, enclosing call logs or any abusive messages as evidence.
  2. File a Complaint under Section 294 IPC (Obscene Acts and Songs) or Section 509 IPC (Insult to Modesty) if applicable:
    If the buyer’s calls include abusive or obscene language, or if he is threatening your dignity in public or private spaces, you can mention this in the police complaint as well.
  3. Send a Legal Notice through an Advocate:
    Ask your lawyer to issue a strong legal notice warning the buyer to refrain from making threats and to approach the competent authorities or court if he has any genuine grievance. This will show that you are not avoiding responsibility and that he must use lawful means to assert his claims.
  4. Approach a Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC if Police Fails to Act:
    If the police delay or refuse to act on your complaint, your lawyer can file a petition before the Magistrate seeking directions to register an FIR for criminal intimidation and harassment.
  5. Retain all Sale Documents and LRS Receipts:
    Ensure you preserve the AGPA, the agreement, survey maps, and LRS receipts. These documents will support your bona fide ownership and help you defend yourself in any civil or criminal proceedings.
  6. Avoid Any Further Verbal Assurances or Informal Promises:
    Do not promise refund or interest payments orally or via message. Such promises may be misused later to claim you admitted liability. Let all communication now go through your lawyer.

 

Additional Safeguards:

  • Install a call recording app (if legal in your jurisdiction) and retain all messages from the buyer.
  • If you feel physically unsafe, seek police protection or a restraining order (Injunction).
  • If he files a civil suit, you can counterclaim by highlighting that he defaulted on full payment and the dispute was unforeseen and is pending inquiry.

You acted in good faith based on old records and paid LRS. The land’s status is under legitimate government review. The buyer cannot force illegal repayment or use threats. You should file a criminal complaint for harassment and intimidation, consult a civil lawyer for defensive litigation, and send a formal legal notice cautioning the buyer to follow due process.

In case you need my assistance in the matter I can be contacted on 

 

 

Regards,

YUGANSHU SHARMA

SYS LAW OFFICES

 

Yuganshu Sharma
Advocate, Delhi
945 Answers
2 Consultations

Dear Sir/Madam,

it is suggested that you file a police complaint regarding torturing, threatening, extortion against the said buyer stating that sale on your part was just based on innosence and you are still roaming from one office to other for saving his rights but he is doing misdeeds with you. 

Ganesh Singh
Advocate, New Delhi
7169 Answers
16 Consultations

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