HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
K. C. Das Gupta, U. C. Law
LUXMI SPINNING AND WEAVING MILLS LTD. - Appellant
Versus
MD. IBRAHIM, MUTWALLI - Respondent
A. F. A. D. 1380 Of 1954
Decided On : FEBRUARY 27, 1958
LANDLORD AND TENANT - LEASE - DETERMINATION - FORFEITURE - NOTICE - SECTION 111 (G), TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT - WEST BENGAL PREMISES RENT CONTROL (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ACT, 1950, SECTIONS 12 (1) (I), 14 - SECTION 114, TRANSFER OF PROPERTY ACT - DISCRETION OF COURT - EXERCISE OF.
Fact of the Case:
The Respondent, the Mutwali of a Wakf Estate, brought a suit for ejectment of the Luxmi Spinning and Weaving Mills Ltd. on the allegation that the lease had determined and that the Defendant did not pay any rent from October 1950 to June 1951.
Finding of the Court:
The Court held that there was a valid determination of the lease under Section 111 (g) of the Transfer of Property Act and that the Defendant was in default for more than three periods of two months each within a period of eighteen months prior to the institution of the suit.
Issues: 1. Whether there was a determination of the tenancy under Section 111 (g) of the Transfer of Property Act? 2. Whether the Court should exercise its discretionary powers under Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act to grant relief to the tenant?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The Court held that the notice served on the Defendant satisfied the requirements of Clause (g) of Section 111 of the Transfer of Property Act and that there was a valid determination of the lease. 2. The Court held that the provisions of Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act are still available to a tenant even after the enactment of the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950. 3. The Court held that the Defendant was not entitled to relief under Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act due to his false defences, conditional offer of payment, and the fact that the Company had gone into liquidation.
Final Decision: The Court dismissed the appeal with costs.
( 1 ) THE Respondent, who is the Mutwali of a Wakf Estate, brought this suit for ejectment of the Luxmi Spinning and Weaving Mills Ltd. on the allegation that the lease had determined and on the allegation that the defendant did not pay any rent to the Plaintiff from the month of October 1950 to June 1951. The Plaintiff also prayed for a decree for a sum of Rs. 1105-11-3 as arrears of rents. The Defendant denied that there had been any default and also the fact that the Plaintiff had, by notice, determined the lease. In the Trial Court a dispute seems to have been raised whether or not the tenancy was from month to month or a yearly tenancy. The learned Subordinate Judge being of opinion that it was a monthly tenancy terminable by fifteen days' notice expiring with the end of a month, held that there was a proper notice under Section 106, Transfer of Property Act and as it was not disputed that this notice was duly served, held that there was a valid determination of the tenancy. On the question of default, the Trial Court held that the Defendant was in default for more than three periods of two months each within a period of eighteen months prior to the institution of the suit and that the Defendant was not, therefore, entitled to any protection under Section 14 of the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950. Accordingly, he gave the Plaintiff a decree for ejectment and also, a decree for Rs. 1105-11-3 as arrears of rent; but, directed that this sum as well as the further sum of Rs. 250/- which he allowed as mesne profits for the month of July, 1951, the Plaintiff would be at liberty to realize by adjustment against the deposits made before the Rent Controller, Calcutta. As regards further mesne profits from August, 1951 to September, 1953 also, the Trial Court directed that the Plaintiff would be at liberty to adjust them against the deposits lying with the Rent Controller, Calcutta. He decreed also further mesne profits up to the date of recovery of possession at the rate of Rs. 250/- per mensem. The Defendant appealed.
( 2 ) IN the Appellate Court, it appears to have been first realized by the parties that the real question was not whether there was a proper service of notice to quit under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, but whether there was a determination of the tenancy under the provisions of Section 111 (g) of the Transfer of Property Act. The learned Judge held that the tenancy was validly determined by service of notice of forfeiture on the Defendant under Section 111 (g) of the Transfer of Property Act.
( 3 ) IT appears that on the date when the arguments were heard, there was some offer on behalf of the Appellant "to pay all the arrears of rent together with interest and full costs of the suit" in order to get the advantage of the provisions of Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act. The learned Judge was of opinion that after the enactment of The West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950, Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act no longer applied to suits for ejectment, even though the determination alleged was on the ground of forfeiture. He held, however, that even if the Defendant was entitled to invoke the assistance of Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act, the discretionary powers of the Court should not be exercised in his favour, in view of all the circumstances of the ease. Accordingly, he dismissed the appeal.
( 4 ) THE first question for consideration in the Appeal is whether there has been a determination of the tenancy under Section 111 (g) of the Transfer of Property Act.
( 5 ) ON reference to the terms of the lease, we find that it was clearly stipulated there that in case of default for three consecutive months in payment of rent, the lessee would be liable to vacate the premises and the lessor would be entitled to terminate the lease and exercise the right of re-entry. From the copy of the noti
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.