law: 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.