2009 Supreme(Del) 344
V. B. GUPTA, J.
M/s. Hyco Products (P) Ltd. - APPELLANT
V.
Smt. Shashi Hasija - RESPONDENT
RFA No. 584 of 1989
Decided on : 27-3-2009
Rajat Aneja for Appellant; S. P. Sharma Shailija for Respondent.
The central legal point established is the paramount consideration of the intention of the parties and the substance of the agreement in determining the nature of the relationship, whether lease or licence.
Headnote:
Collaboration-cum-Agency Agreement - Recovery of Dues - Transfer of Property Act, 1882, Section 105 - Easements Act, 1882, Section 52 - Intention of the Parties - Exclusive Possession - Lease vs. Licence
Fact of the Case:
The respondent filed a suit for recovery of dues and mandatory injunction against the appellant, alleging breach of a collaboration-cum-agency agreement. The appellant contested, claiming to be a tenant and denying liability.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant's relationship with the respondent was that of licensor and licensee, not landlord and tenant, based on the terms of the collaboration agreement and the exclusive possession and control held by the respondent.
Issues: The main issue was whether the suit as framed was maintainable, to which the court found in favor of the respondent.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the intention of the parties and the substance of the agreement to determine the nature of the relationship, highlighting the importance of exclusive possession and payment of rent.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed, and the appellant was directed to pay the decretal amount, remove its machinery, and pay costs to the respondent.
The appellant has filed this appeal against the judgment and decree dated 23rd October, 1989 passed by Addl. District Judge, Delhi in Suit No. 5841 1988.
2. The brief facts of this case are that respondent herein, filed a suit for recovery of Rs. 59,800/- and for mandatory injunction against the present appellant on the allegations that she is the proprietor of M/s. Paul Traders and appellant through its Managing Director Sh. S. S. Aggarwal entered into a collaboration-cum-agency agreement with her on 18th October, 1992 as per terms and conditions mentioned therein. Sh. S. S. Aggarwal admitted the contents of the said agreement as correct and signed the same in the presence of attesting witnesses. Said agreement was for 36 months from 1st October, 1982 ending on 30th September, 1985. Appellant despite the expiry of said period, failed to remove its machinery, parts, etc. from the business place of the respondent despite repeated request and demand made by the respondent. Appellant also failed to pay the commission charges in terms of the said agreement. It is stated that appellant was liable to pay minimum of Rs. 21,200/- per year or 1/10% commission on the value of the manufactured goods during the year, whichever was higher. From 1st October, 1982 till date, appellant had paid a sum of Rs. 1,11,200/- on that account and now a sum of Rs. 59,800/- on account of the commission for the period ending 31st March, 1988 is due to the respondent.
3. The appellant was also liable to furnish the account for the said year in order to ascertain the commission, if found higher than the minimum commission, then the respondent would be entitled for difference of the commission. Since appellant has failed to pay the aforesaid amount despite repeated demands and has failed to remove the machinery etc., a suit for mandatory injunction and for recovery of Rs. 59,800/- was filed before the trial Court.
4. The suit was contested by the appellant. The plea of the appellant was that he is a tenant of the entire premises in question, that is, ground floor with, first mezanine in between the ground and first floor, and first floor consisting of office and second mezanine etc., since October, 1979 at a monthly rent of Rs. 2,300/-. Since no rent agreement was possible for the reason that the premises could not be rented out as per Bye-Laws of the Directorate of industries the lessor of the premises, as such a Collaboration-cum-Agency Agreement for a period of three years was entered between the parties, as per general practice prevailing in such types of cases. In October, 1982 on the expiry of three years of tenancy, the rent was increased to Rs. 2,600/- per month and agreement was again renewed for another period of three years. The physical and exclusive possession of the entire premises was given by respondent and the same remained with the appellant as such.
5. It is further stated that originally the premises was allotted by the Directorate of Industries in the name of Sh. Sardari Lal, Proprietor of M/s. Paul Traders in 1985 who transferred the same in favour of Sh. Gurdeep Singh who in turn transferred to Sh. S.L. Khurana and who in turn transferred the same to respondent. Directorate of Industries vide letter dated 10th December, 1984 cancelled the allotment in favour of M/s., Paul Traders and determined the said lease. To get the restoration of allotment of the premises, respondent approached and induced the appellant to issue a certificate mentioning that he (appellant) was in possession of 560 sq. feet of covered area, though in fact the appellant was in possession of the entire premises. Appellant issued the certificate in good faith in or around early 1985.
6. Thereafter respondent made certain unauthorised construction in the shape of two big rooms and agreed to reduce the rent from Rs. 2,600/- to Rs. 2,300/- for the facility being granted by the appellant to the respondent for the approach on the said unauthorized constructions to