Question

The question consists of legal propositions/principles (hereinafter referred to as 'principle') and facts. These principles have to be applied to the given facts to arrive at the most reasonable conclusion. Such principles may or may not be true in the real sense, yet you have to conclusively assume them to be true. In other words, in answering the following question, you must not rely on any principles except the principle that is given herein below for the question. Further, you must not assume any facts other than those stated in the question. The objective of this section is to test your interest in the study of law, research aptitude, and problem-solving ability.

Principle: When an offer is accepted by a person to whom it is made, it becomes a promise. But this promise will become legally binding only when the acceptance of the offer is unconditional.

Facts: Ram makes an offer to sell his house to Shyam for ₹50 lacs. Shyam accepts this offer but wants to pay the price of the house in five quarterly installments. Ram does not agree with it. Thereafter Shyam agrees to pay the price of the house in the way as originally desired by Ram. But Ram does not reply to it. Can Shyam compel Ram to sell his house to him?

Options

• Shyam can compel Ram to sell his house because Shyam ultimately agrees to pay the price as originally  desired by Ram

• Shyam can compel Ram to sell his house because  Shyam in the first instance substantially complied with  the desire of Ram

• Shyam can compel Ram to sell his house because Ram's offer does not exclude the payment of the price in installments

• Shyam cannot compel Ram to sell his house because Shyam imposes a new condition about payment of the price of the house while accepting the offer which is not  ultimately accepted by Ram

Answer 1

Shyam cannot compel Ram to sell his house because Shyam imposes a new condition about payment of the price of the house while accepting the offer which is not  ultimately accepted by Ram

Explanation:

According to the principle mentioned in the question, the promise becomes legally binding only when the acceptance of an offer is unconditional, but here Shyam did not accept the offer of Ram as it was proposed. Shyam mentioned a condition that he wants to pay the price in five quarterly installments, so according to the principle, Shyam cannot compel Ram to sell his house.