Mr. R extended a loan to Mr. D with X, Y, and Z as sureties. Each surety executed a bond with varying penalty amounts, X with a penalty of 10,000, Y…

As per section 146 of the Indian Contract Act,1872, when two or more persons are co-sureties for the same debt either jointly, or severally and whether under the same or different contracts and whether with or without the knowledge of each other, the co-sureties in the absence of any contract to the contrary, are liable, as between themselves, to pay each an equal share of the whole debt, or of that part of it which remains unpaid by the principal debtor. Section 147 provides that the principle of equal contribution is, however, subject to the maximum limit fixed by a surety to his liability. Co-sureties who are bound in different sums are liable to pay equally as far as the limits of their respective obligations permit. In the given question, Mr. D makes a default of 42,000, and X, Y and Z as sureties have executed the bond with varying penalty amounts. Hence, X is liable to pay - 10,000, and Y and Z - 16,000 each. In the given case, if there is no contractual arrangement among the sureties, they would be liable for equal contribution. Hence, X, Y and Z will be liable to pay - 14,000 each.