Indian Contract Act, 1872
229. Consequences of notice given to agent
Any notice given to or information obtained by the agent,
provided it be given or obtained in the course of the business transacted by
him for the principal, shall, as between the principal and third parties, have
the same legal consequences as if it had been given to or obtained by the
principal.
Illustrations
(a) A is employed by B to buy from C certain goods, of which C
is the apparent owner, and buys them accordingly. In the course of the treaty
for the sale, A learns that the goods really belonged to D, but B is ignorant
of that fact B is not entitled to set-off a debt owing to him from C against
the price of goods.
(b) A is employed by B to buy from C goods of which C is the
apparent owner. A was, before he was so employed a servant of C, and then
learnt that the goods really belonged to D, but B is ignorant of that fact. In
spite of the knowledge of his agent, B may set-off against the price of the
goods a debt owing to him from C.