Indian Contract Act, 1872
53. Liability of party preventing event
on which contract is to take effect
When a contract contains reciprocal promises, and one party to
the contract prevents the other from performing his promise, the contract
becomes voidable at the option of the party so prevented; and he is entitled to
compensation from the other party for any loss which he may sustain
in consequence of the non-performance of the contract.
Illustration
A and B contract that B shall execute some work for A for a
thousand rupees. B is ready and willing to execute the work accordingly, but A
prevents him from doing so. The contract is voidable at the option of B; and,
if he elects to rescind it, he is entitled to recover from A compensation for
any loss which he has incurred by its non-performance.