GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNICAL SERVICES COMPANY INC. versus PUNJ SONS (P) LTD. AND ANOTHER

GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNICAL SERVICES COMPANY INC. versus PUNJ SONS (P) LTD. AND ANOTHER

The Court held that the Bank must honour its commitment under the bank guarantee when a demand is made, unless there is fraud or special equities amounting to irretrievable injustice, and that restraining payment in the absence of such circumstances was erroneous.

Parties
Appellant: General Electric Technical Services Company Inc.; Respondent 1: Punj Sons (P) Ltd.; Respondent 2: Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
07 August 1991
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal Against Division Bench Order of Delhi High Court
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Bank Guarantees, Injunctions, Performance of Contracts, Termination Due to Breach

Case Brief

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Parties

General Electric Technical Services Company Inc.

Appellant

Punj Sons (P) Ltd.

Respondent 1

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation

Respondent 2

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal Against Division Bench Order of Delhi High Court

  1. 1 Whether the Court was justified in restraining the Bank from paying under the bank guarantee at the instance of respondent-1

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that the Bank must honour its commitment under the bank guarantee when a demand is made, unless there is fraud or special equities amounting to irretrievable injustice, and that restraining payment in the absence of such circumstances was erroneous.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Impugned judgment and order of the High Court set aside
  • Appellant entitled to costs in the Supreme Court