IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
(NAGPUR BENCH)
Lodha R.M., J.
Vinodkumar Atmaramji Choudhary .... Petitioner.
Versus
Resident Deputy Collector, Amravati another.... Respondents.
Writ Petition No. 1496 of 1989, decided on 8-2-1995.
Advocates appeared :
V.C. Daga, for petitioner.
J.T. Gilda, for respondent.
RENT CONTROL - C.P. AND BERAR LETTING OF PREMISES AND RENT CONTROL ORDER, 1949 - CLAUSES 13(3)(II), 13(3)(IV), 13(3)(IX) - HABITUAL DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF RENT - CHANGE OF USER - NUISANCE - INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION.
Fact of the Case:
Landlord filed an application under Clauses 13(3)(i), (ii), (vi), (viii), and (ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, alleging habitual default in payment of rent, change of user, and nuisance by the tenant. The Rent Controller granted permission to terminate the tenancy under Clauses 13(3)(ii) and (ix), but the Appellate Authority reversed the order.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the tenant was not habitually in arrears with rent as the landlord had accepted rent for accumulated periods of 3, 6, 12, and 15 months prior to filing the application, and no notice or demand was made for regular payment. The court also held that storage of oil cotton seeds by the tenant in the godown, which was meant for storage of goods, did not amount to nuisance or actionable nuisance under Clause 13(3)(ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, considering the surrounding area and locality.
Issues: 1. Whether the tenant was habitually in arrears with rent under Clause 13(3)(ii) of the Rent Control Order, 1949? 2. Whether the tenant's storage of oil cotton seeds in the godown constituted a change of user under Clause 13(3)(iv) of the Rent Control Order, 1949? 3. Whether the tenant's storage of oil cotton seeds in the godown amounted to nuisance under Clause 13(3)(ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the tenant was not habitually in arrears with rent as the landlord had accepted rent for accumulated periods of 3, 6, 12, and 15 months prior to filing the application, and no notice or demand was made for regular payment. The court relied on the Supreme Court's decision in Rashik Lal v. Shah Gokuldas, where it was held that if the landlord accepts rent without objection and without letting the tenant know his thought process, he cannot suddenly start a proceeding for eviction. 2. The court held that the tenant's storage of oil cotton seeds in the godown did not constitute a change of user under Clause 13(3)(iv) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, as there was no specific agreement between the parties that the godown was let out only for the purpose of storage of foodgrains. 3. The court held that the tenant's storage of oil cotton seeds in the godown did not amount to nuisance under Clause 13(3)(ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, considering the surrounding area and locality. The court noted that there were other godowns in the vicinity where occupants stored oil cotton seeds, and the landlord himself was storing Kadbi near the godown in question, which was equally inflammable.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the landlord's writ petition, holding that the Appellate Authority did not commit any error in reversing the Rent Controller's order and that the findings and conclusions of the Appellate Authority did not call for interference by the court.
2. The petitioner (for short, the 'landlord') filed an application under Clauses 13(3)(i), (ii), (vi), (viii) and (ix) of the C.P. and Berar Letting of Premises and Rent Control Order, 1949 (for short, the 'Rent Control Order, 1949') (for short, the 'Rent Control Order, 1949') against the respondent No. 2 herein (for short, the 'tenant'). It was averred by the landlord in the said application that he was owner of House No. 82, Ward No. 52, Cotton Market Road, Amravati and the godown has come to his share in the partition between him, his father and other family members. According to the landlord, the said godown (for short, the 'premises in question') was let out by his father to the tenant for a rent of Rs. 75/- per month and after the partition, he became owner and landlord and the tenant attorned and paid rent to him upto 31-12-1982. However, thereafter since 1-1-1983 for a period of five months the rent was not paid and, thus the tenant was defaulter under Clause 13(3)(i) of the Rent Control Order, 1949 as well as the habitual defaulter under Clause 13(3)(ii) of the Rent Control Order, 1949. The landlord averred that the godown was let out to the tenant for storing grains, but he has started storing ginned cotton bozas which is a combustible and explosive article and thus, the tenant is using the premises other than the purpose for which it was let out and, therefore, the landlord was entitled to determine the tenancy of the tenant under Clause 13(3)(iv) of the Rent Control Order, 1949. The landlord also submitted that cracks have appeared in the walls of the godown and the said godown cannot be repaired unless the tenant vacates the same and the landlord also alleged that the tenant is also committed the acts of waste which have impaired the utility or value of the godown and which are dangerous to the human beings residing near and around the godown. The landlord, thus, also claimed for permission under Clause 13(3)(ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949.
3. The tenant contested the claim of the landlord by filing Written Statement and denied that he was habitual defaulter or defaulter in respect of payment of rent. The tenant also set up the plea that there was no specific agreement about the user of godown for storing grains only and cotton was used to be stored by his Firm initially and thus, there was no change of user. The tenant also set up the plea that the landlord himself has been keeping his cattle in the cattle shed near the premises in question and he usually stores Kadba, grass etc. near the premises in question. It was also stated that oil cakes are being stored in many of the godowns by their occupants near about the premises in question. The tenant denied that he committed any acts of waste which can be said to have impaired the utility or value of the godown.
4. The Rent Controller held enquiry. Both the parties led oral as well as documentary evidence. The Rent Controller after hearing the parties, by his order dated 29-4-1987 negatived the case of the landlord under Clauses 13(3)(i), (iv) and (vii) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, but found that the landlord has been able to establish the case under Clause 13(3)(ii) and (ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949 and consequently, granted permission to the landlord to terminate the tenancy of the tenant under Clause 13(3)(ii) and (ix) of the Rent Control Order, 1949.
5. Though the landlord was satisfied by the order rejecting his case under Clause 13(3)(i), (iv), (vii) and (viii) of the Rent Control Order, 1949, the tenant challenged the order of the Rent Controller passed on 29-4-1987 to the extent the permission
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.