IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
AJOY KUMAR MUKHERJEE, SOUMEN SEN, JJ.
Uttam Koley – Appellant
Versus
Bidyyalata Santra and Others – Respondents
SA No. 69 of 2020
Decided On : 21-02-2022
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 - Section 108(m), (o) and (p), 106 - Properties - Default in payment of rent - Suit for eviction - Plaintiffs/respondents filed suit for eviction, khas possession and mesne profits - Held, There is nothing on record to show that defendant was misled by said notice - Question of illegality of notice does not arise - It clearly conveys intention of landlord to terminate tenancy - In view of the clear finding by both Courts and notice under Section 106 of Transfer of Property Act has been duly served upon appellant/defendant clearly conveying intention that tenancy would come to an end and having fulfilled twin requirements of said Section, Court is of opinion that no substantial question of law is involved for which second appeal can be admitted - Appeal dismissed.
JUDGMENT :
1. The appellant is not represented nor any accommodation is prayed for on behalf of the appellant.
2. On the earlier occasion, the matter was adjourned on the prayer of the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant.
3. This second appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 18th May, 2017 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division) 2nd Court, Howrah in Title Appeal No. 50 of 2013, affirming the judgment and decree dated 28th February, 2013 passed by the learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), 1st Court, Howrah in Title Suit No. 96 of 2011.
4. We have perused the grounds of second appeal and we do not find that there is any substantial question of law is involved on which the second appeal can be admitted.
5. The plaintiffs/respondents filed the suit for eviction, khas possession and mesne profits. One Mohanta Kumar Modak @ Santra was the original owner and occupier of the suit properties. After his demise, it devolved upon the plaintiffs as legal heirs and the plaintiffs became the absolute owners and occupiers of the suit property mentioned in the schedule of the plaint. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendant/appellant is a monthly tenant in respect of the suit property. The defendant was a habitual defaulter in payment of rent since the month of Falgun, 1409, B.S. The defendant was also guilty of committing various acts of wastes and damages resulting in material deterioration to the condition of the scheduled property under his occupation and those acts are all contrary to the provisions of clauses (m), (o) and (p) of Section 108 of the Transfer of Property Act. The plaintiffs also claimed reasonable requirement. The defendant contested the said suit and relied upon one agreement of 8th February, 2003 and contended that after the demise of Mohanta Kumar Modak @ Santra, his wife used to collect rent from the defendant. Thereafter the plaintiff claiming to be the legal heirs of said Mohanta Kumar Modak @ Santra, entered into one development agreement thereby wishing to demolish the building including the suit property and to let out the same to new tenant as such the dispute arose between the plaintiff and defendant and also with the other tenants. The plaintiffs created inconvenience to the enjoyment of the suit property by the defendant as tenant with a view to evict the defendant without due process of law. The defendant also made a complaint to several authorities as a result whereof a meeting was held between the parties and one agreement dated 8th February, 2003 was entered into by the defendant with Swapan Kumar Santra and Ashok Kumar Santra. But the plaintiffs refused to act in terms of the said agreement. The defendant and other tenants were compelled to construct the suit property out of their own fund. The defendant has incurred expenses to the tune of Rs.4,800/- for such construction. Moreover, the plaintiff No. 2 initiated a criminal case against the defendants and other tenants. The defendant demanded the reimbursement of the expenses as well as called upon the plaintiffs to act in terms of the agreement dated 8th February, 2003. However, the plaintiffs did not pay any heed to such request. The defendant after surrendering the old tenancy entered into an agreement on 8th February, 2003 with Swapan Kumar Santra and by the said agreement the defendant was given a fresh tenancy in respect of the suit shop room at a monthly rental of Rs.76/- payable according to Bengali calendar month. It was on such agreement, the notice of eviction was contended to be invalid. The parties adduced both oral and documentary evidence before the Trial Court.
6. It is nobody’s case that the provisions of the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1997 would not apply in the present context and the notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act would suffice for filing the suit. In the instant case, the plaintiffs had relied upon service of notice of ejectment being Exhibit No. 5 (series), the
Landlord-tenant relationship established as a lease under the Transfer of Property Act; valid termination notice suffices for recovery of possession, regardless of alleged arrears.
The validity of an eviction notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act is upheld when the tenant fails to pay rent, confirming the jurisdiction of civil courts to hear eviction cases.
A suit for eviction under general law serves as adequate notice under the Transfer of Property Act, thus fulfilling statutory requirements for eviction and addressing issues of maintainability despit....
The High Court, in a second appeal under Section 100, cannot re-evaluate evidence, focusing only on substantial legal questions and confirming lower court findings unless proven erroneous.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the interpretation and application of the provisions of Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, specifically regarding tenant holding ov....
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