ORDER

1. Leave granted.

2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

3. This appeal arises out of an application submitted by the appellants under Section 1 3-A (2) of the Bombay Rent Control Act. Section 13-A was inserted in the Bombay Rent Control Act by the Maharashtra Act No. 18 of 1987. The case of the appellants is that Respondents I and 2 are licensees in respect of a flat measuring 610 sq. feet in a building that has been constructed by the appellants. It is claimed that the said licence has been terminated by notice and proceedings (LE Suit No. 7 of 1988) have been initiated before the competent authority, Konkan Division, Bombay, for recovery of possession of the flat from the respondents. Before the competent authority, the respondents raised a preliminary objection a regarding jurisdiction of the competent authority to entertain the application on the ground that the provisions of Section 1 3-A (2) are applicable only to licences granted after the coming into force of the said provision and since the licence of the respondents was granted earlier, the said provision could not be applied. The said objection was rejected by the competent authority by order dated 6-7-