Explain in brief 'Principle of Estoppel' under Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

Estoppel is based on the maxim ' allegans contraria non est audiendus ' i.e. a person alleging contrary facts should not be heard. The principles of estoppel covers one kind of facts. It says that man cannot approbate and reprobate, or that a man cannot blow hot and cold, or that a man shall not say one thing at one time and later on say a different thing. The doctrine of estoppel is based on the principle that it would be most inequitable and unjust that if one person, by a representation made, or by conduct amounting to a representation, has induced another to act as he would not otherwise have done, the person whom the representation should not be allowed to deny or repudiate the effect of his former statement to the loss and injury of the person who acted on it. ( Sorat Chunder v. Gopal Chunder ).