IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI (AGARTALA BENCH)
H.N. Sarma, J.
Niharedu Majumder
Vs.
State of Tripura and Ors.
F.A. No. 60 of 1997
Decided On: 02.12.2004
Rent Recovery - Civil Suit - Order 1 Rule 3 of CPC - Udit Narain Singh Malpaharia v. Additional Member Board of Revenue, Bihar and Anr. - Hardeva v. Ismail and Ors. - Deputy Commissioner, Hardoi, in charge Court of Wards, Bherawan Estate v. Rama Krishna Narain - [Order 1 Rule 3 of CPC, Udit Narain Singh Malpaharia v. Additional Member Board of Revenue, Bihar and Anr., Hardeva v. Ismail and Ors., Deputy Commissioner, Hardoi, in charge Court of Wards, Bherawan Estate v. Rama Krishna Narain]
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiff filed a suit for recovery of rent with interest from the defendants for a leased building. The plaintiff claimed that the fair rent of the building leased out to the defendants would be at least Rs. 2,500 per month and that the defendants are liable to pay the monthly rent at the aforesaid rate for the period of occupation. The plaintiff also claimed compensation for damage caused by the defendants to the leased building.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court found the suit not maintainable as the plaintiff did not implead the Public Works Department as a defendant. The court also held that the defendants had paid rent to the plaintiff as assessed by the Public Works Department. The trial court dismissed the suit of the plaintiff.
Issues: The issues framed by the trial court were: (a) Whether the suit is maintainable in its present form? (b) Whether the defendants took lease of the suit premises from the plaintiff and paid rent according to the assessment of rent by the PWD? (c) Whether the plaintiff is entitled to any relief and if so, up to what extent?
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the Public Works Department and the Collector were not necessary parties in the suit as claimed by the plaintiff. The court set aside the finding of the trial court on issue (a) and remanded the case back to the trial court for fresh disposal, directing the trial court to decide whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover a sum of Rs. 1,38,254 from the defendants as fair house rent in respect of the suit premises.
Final Decision: The appeal was allowed to the extent indicated above, and no costs were awarded.
H.N. Sharma, J.
1. This first appeal arises out of the judgment and decree dated 24.7.1996 and 29.7.1996 respectively by the learned Civil Judge (Senior Division), Court No. 1, West Tripura at Agartala dismissing the Money Suit No. 6 of 1990 filed by the plaintiff-appellant.
2. The appellant and plaintiff filed the aforesaid suit for recovery of rent with interest from the defendants. The case of the plaintiff-appellant is that he is the owner and possessor of a holding at Ramnagar Road No. 7 as described in the schedule of the plaintiff. The said holding contains 2 buildings and one of the said buildings was leased out to the District Inspector of Social Education, Government of Tripura on monthly rental basis with effect from 1-1-1986. The parties entered into an agreement containing necessary stipulation of them lease, according to which the rent of the building would be fixed as per assessment as well as fair rent certificate to be issued by the Public Works Department, Government of Tripura. It is the further case of plaintiff-appellant that the plaintiff-appellant on good faith lease out the building to the defendants thinking that the assessment could be made by the Public Works Department with a reasonable time. But no such assessment having been made, the plaintiff-appellant was paid provisional rent at the rate of 600/- per month for the period from 1-1-1986 to 15-9-1989. The plaintiff-appellant further averred that as per the prevalent rate, the fair rent of the building leased out to the defendants would be at least Rs. 2,500 per month and the defendants are liable to pay the monthly rent at the aforesaid rate for use and occupation of the tenanted building for the period of occupation. The plaintiff-appellant also averred that the defendants have caused damage of the leased hold building during the tenancy period and they are liable to pay compensation for the damage of the building caused by the defendants. There was an amendment of the plaint vide order passed by the learned trial court on 5.3.1992 by which paragraphs 13(a) to 13(i) were incorporated. In the said amended paragraphs the plaintiff has averred that during the pendency of the suit the plaintiff was offered a sum of Rs. 13,501.55 paise as rent for the premises but this amount is far less than which the plaintiff is entitled. That during the pendency of the suit the Public Works Department made an assessment of the fair rent and also made assessment of valuation of the land over which the building is situated and the said assessment i much below than the prevalent market price. It is further stated that in the nearby places land has been valued at Rs. 12,00,000 per kani by the Public Works Department whereas the land of the plaintiff has been valued at Rs. 4,70,000 per kani during the year 1987 and for the year 1986 the land was valued only at Rs. 3,00,000 per kani whereas the land at Ramnagar Road No. 8 has been assessed and valued at Rs. 8,00,000 per kani during the year 1988. In the aforesaid premises, the plaintiff made the following prayers : -
(a) Pass a decree for recovery of rent with interest at compound rate to the tune of Rs. 1,38,254/- (Rupees one lakh thirty eight thousand two hundred fifty four) only till 28.2.1990;
(b) Pass a decree for further interest for period from 1.3.1990 till payment of the decretal amount by the defendants to the plaintiff, for which the plaintiff would pay further court fee;
(c) Grant cost of and incidental to this suit to the plaintiff;
(d) Grant such further or other relief or reliefs to which the plaintiff is entitled having regard to the facts and circumstances involved in the matter.
3. In the instant suit the plaintiff impleaded the State of Tripura, the Director of Social Education and Social Welfare, Government of Tripura, Agartala and the District Inspector of Social Education, West Tripura, Agartala as Defendant Nos. 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
4. The defendants contested the suit and filed a joint writt
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