Judgment

G. N. RAY, J.:- Leave granted. Pursuant to the notice issued on the Special Leave Petition No. 1687 of 1993, the respondent has entered appearance through counsel and the counter-affidavit has also been filed.

2. The appellant-landlord is the owner of the suit premises being Shop No. 142, Gandhiji Road, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. On June 15, 1971, the appellant-landlord leased out the premises in question to Sri G. Vasanthan on a monthly rental of Rs. 400/- with effect from June 13, 1971 and the appellant-landlord sought eviction of the said tenant Vasanthan and filed a petition for eviction on April 22, 1975 under Section 14(l)(4) of the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as the Rent Act) before the Rent Controller Mayiladuthurai. By an order dated December 12, 1975, the learned Rent Controller dismissed the said eviction proceeding being R.C.O.P. No.9 of 1970. The appellant-landlord preferred an appeal against the said order of the Rent Controller before the appellate authority. By order dated August 31, 1977, the appellate authority allowed the said appeal and directed the eviction of the said tenant Vasanthan. Thereafter, th