( 1 ) LEAVE granted.

( 2 ) THIS appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order dated 24/12/1993 of the High court of Judicature at Madras passed in Criminal O. P. No. 8926 of 1997. From the lengthy-judgment written by the High court it appears that Respondent no. 1 has taken undue advantage of the proceedings under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code however, for the dismissal of this appeal various proceedings, orders and arguments referred to by the High Court are not required to be dealt with now as the matter has reached only at an early interim stage of the litigation.

( 3 ) IT is the say of the appellants that on 28/6/1978, appellant No. 1 entered into an agreement with one Smt. Sakunthala in respect of a portion of the space at Door No. 7, Hanumantha Rayan Koli Street, Chennai for tenancy for residential purpose. In October 1987, the tenancy was converted for both residential and non-residential purpose. On 17/10/1996, the appellants received a letter from the respondent Nos. 3 and 4 claiming that they had purchased the premises in question by a registered sale deed dated 16/10/1996 and informing that the monthly rent be remitted to them. Admittedl