Contract Act, 1872 — Section 71: Responsibility of finder of goods

71. Responsibility of finder of goods. A person who finds goods belonging to another and takes them into his custody, is subject to the same responsibility as a bailee. 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. CHAPTER VI OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH OF CONTRACT