Question

Principle: A contract procured by coercion is bad under Indian Contract Act. Coercion is defined as committing or threatening to commit any act forbidden by Indian Penal Code. Attempt to commit suicide is an offence under India Penal Code.
Facts: A wanted his wife B to part with some landed property given to her by her father. B resisted fearing that her husband would squander it away. A threatened her that if she does not sign that deed transferring the property to him (i.e., A), he would commit suicide. B signed the deed. Subsequently, she challenged the deed on the ground that the deed was bad under law.

• A. The deed is valid under the law
• B. The transfer of property is complete once the deed is entered between the owner of the property and the buyer
• C. The deed is not valid as it was signed under the threat of suicide by her husband which amounts to coercion and vitiates the contract
• D. Husband has a right over the property of the wife that was voluntarily transferred to the buyer

Answer 1

The correct option is C The deed is not valid as it was signed under the threat of suicide by her husband which amounts to coercion and vitiates the contract

The agreement is not valid as it was signed under threat of suicide which amounts to coercion as per the principle.