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1999 Supreme(Del) 107

High Court Of Delhi
AKESH KUMAR JAIN - Appellant
Versus
HARMEET SINGH BAKSHI - Respondent
Interim Application 3496 of 1998
Decided On : 02/12/1999

Advocates Appeared:
KAMAL MEHTA, Niraj Malhotra, VIPIN SANGHI

Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act provides a specific remedy for tenants whose essential supply or service is cut off or withheld by the landlord, and the Rent Controller has jurisdiction to adjudicate such disputes.

Headnote:

DELHI RENT CONTROL ACT - SECTION 45 - APPLICABILITY - ESSENTIAL SUPPLY - WATER SUPPLY - TENANT'S RIGHT TO ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY - LANDLORD'S DUTY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY - JURISDICTION OF RENT CONTROLLER - SECTION 151, CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE - APPLICABILITY - EXCEPTIONAL CASES - CLEAR CUT PROVISIONS OF LAW - SUMMARY DISMISSAL OF APPLICATION.

Fact of the Case:

Plaintiffs, tenants of defendant No. 1, filed an application under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure seeking permission to dig a tubewell and use two overhead water tanks for their exclusive use. They alleged that defendant No. 1, in collusion with defendant No. 2, was pressuring them to vacate the tenanted accommodation by restricting water supply.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the application was not maintainable as the relief sought could be obtained through a petition under Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act, which specifically addresses the issue of essential supply or service deprivation by the landlord. The court found that the plaintiffs' grievance of inadequate water supply fell within the ambit of Section 45 and that the Rent Controller had jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.

Issues: 1. Whether the application under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure was maintainable in light of the specific provisions of Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act. 2. Whether the plaintiffs, as tenants, had the right to adequate water supply and whether the landlord had a corresponding duty to provide the same. 3. Whether the Rent Controller had jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiffs' complaint regarding inadequate water supply.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act provides a specific remedy for tenants whose essential supply or service is cut off or withheld by the landlord. This remedy includes an application to the Rent Controller for restoration of the amenity. 2. Tenants have the right to adequate water supply as an essential service, and landlords have a corresponding duty to provide the same. 3. The Rent Controller has jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes related to essential supply or service deprivation by landlords, including complaints of inadequate water supply.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the plaintiffs' application under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, holding that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Rent Controller under Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act.

Mohd. Shamim

( 1 ) AN application by plaintiffs under Section 151 of thecode of Civil Procedure for permission to dig up a tubewell/borewell of sufficientdepth in the backyard of the suit premises at their own expense for their exclusiveuse and enjoyment. They further want through the present application to allow theplaintiffs to put their exclusive use two overhead water tanks out of the fouroverhead water tanks for their own exclusive use and enjoyment and for supplyingthe water on the first floor i. e. the tenanted accommodation in occupation of theplaintiffs.

( 2 ). A few facts for the proper appreciation of the points in controversy before thiscourt are as under: that the plaintiffs are the tenants of defendant No. 1 on the firstfloor of property bearing No. D-l 059, New Friends Colony, New Delhi since 1980 ona monthly rent of Rs. 2,530. 00. Defendant No. 1 in collusion with defendant No. 2 arebringing pressure on the plaintiffs in different ways in order to compel them tovacate the tenanted accommodation. Hence, the plaintiffs are compelled to institutethe present suit. The water supply to the tenanted accommodation in occupation ofthe plaintiffs is through a tubewell installed in the backyard of the building. A jetpump is installed on the tubewell which pumps the water to the overhead watertankon the terrace floor. There is no MCD supply of water in the said premises and thetubewell is the only source of feeding. There is not enough supply of water throughthe Municipal line even to the first floor. Theplaintiffs assuch are wholly dependenton the tubewell for the supply of water to their premises for all their needs. Theplaintiffs are experiencing acute shortage of water since the jet pump quite often failsto pump water to the overhead tanks due to the decrease in water level. Defendantno. 2 who is in occupation of the ground floor wants to oust the plaintiffs byintimidating and harassing them. The plaintiffs thus pray that they should beallowed to instal a tubewell in the backyard of the suit premises attheir own expenseand for their own exclusive use. The application is supported by an affidavit.

( 3 ). The above application has been opposed by defendant No. 2 inter cilia on thefollowing grounds: that the present application is not maintainable inasmuch as thepremises insuit are governed by the provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act. Thus,the reliefs sought through the present application could only be sought through apetition under Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act i. e. from the Rent Controller. Thus the present application could have been moved only before the Rent Controller,provisions of Section 151, Civil Procedure Code whereunder the present application has beenmoved, could not come to the rescue of the plain tiffs inasmuch as there is a specificprovision under Section 45 of the Delhi Rent Control Act whereunder the presentapplication could have been presented to the Rent Controller. It is false and preposterous that there is no adequate water supply to the tenanted accommodationof the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs cannot be permitted to instal a tubewell on the groundfloor which is in occupation of defendant No. 2. The plaintiffs should confinethemselves to their own tenanted premises. They cannot be permitted to utilise a partof the accommodation which docs not form part of their tenanted accommodation. The application is thus liable to be dismissed.

( 4 ). Learned Counsel for defendant No. 1 has opposed the application orally. According to the learned Counsel for defendant No. 1, the defendant has assuredadequate water supply to the tenanted accommodation of the plaintiff. The applicationis thus liable to be dismissed.

( 5 ). 1 have heard the learned Counsel for both the parties at sufficient length andhave very carefully examined their rival contentions and have given my anxiousthought thereto.

( 6 ). Mr. Sanghi, learned Counsel for the plaintiffs has contended that relief inquestion could not be made a










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