Key Points: - The judgment holds that an application for determination of rent must be preceded by deposit of arrears of rent. (!) - The time for payment or deposit can be extended by the Civil Judge once, and not exceeding two months, under the proviso to Section 7(2). (!) - Sub-sections (2A) and (2B) of Section 17 (as discussed) provide that the Court may extend time or permit payment in instalments, with conditions and retrospective considerations discussed in the context of B.P. Khemka and related cases. (!) (!) (!) - The Act repealed the 1956 Act and introduced provisions for extension of time for deposit under (2A)/(2B); this is analyzed through various precedents. (!) (!) - The court emphasizes that non-deposit of admitted arrears within the prescribed time leads to eviction proceedings continuing, unless the tenant deposits as required under sub-section (2) with an application for determination. (!) (!) - The High Court’s order was upheld; there is no error in applying Nasiruddin’s interpretation that influences the eviction proceedings. (!) - The decision discusses whether to refer to a larger bench and concludes certainties in respect of Section 7’s scope. (!)

What is the scope of Section 7(2) of the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1997 and its (2A)/(2B) extensions as discussed in this judgment?

What is the requirement that must precede an application for determination of rent under Section 7(2) (depositing arrears of rent) and the time limits for extension?

What is the Court’s stance on whether the provisions for extending time to deposit arrears are mandatory or directory and the consequences of non-compliance?