ICA Section 72: Liability of person to whom money is paid or thing delivered by mistake or under coercion
Indian Contract Act, 1872 · Chapter 5: Certain Relations Resembling Those Created by Contract
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72. Liability of person to whom money is paid or thing delivered by mistake or under coercion . 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.
Official reference: India Code, Legislative Department — checked: 29 September 2026.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.