Indian Contract Act, 1872
Indian Contract Act, 1872
V · Section 72

Liability of person to whom money is paid, or thing delivered, by mistake or under coercion.

Synced on 13 Aug 2026Text as per India Code

A person to whom money has been paid, or anything delivered, by mistake or under coercion,

must repay or return it.

Illustrations

(a) A and B jointly owe 100 rupees to C, A alone pays the amount to C, and B, not knowing this fact, pays 100 rupees over

again to C. C is bound to repay the amount to B.

(b) A railway company refuses to deliver up certain goods to the consignee, except upon the payment of an illegal charge for

carriage. The consignee pays the sum charged in order to obtain the goods. He is entitled to recover so much of the charge as was

illegally excessive.

Judgments on Section 72