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1997 Supreme(Gau) 107

GAUHATI HIGH COURT
J.N.Sarma, J.
Abdul Matin Choudhury and Anothers -Appellant
Versus
Nityananda Dutta Banik -Respondent
Civil Revision No. 163 of 1992
Decided On : 23-06-1997

Advocates Appeared:
K.P.Pathak, N.M.Lahiri, J.P.Bhattacharjee, G.N.Sahewalla, B.D.Das, A.K.Goswami

A tenant is a defaulter in payment of rent if he fails to pay rent within the time stipulated in the written contract and if he does not make a valid tender of rent before depositing it in court.

Headnote:

RENT CONTROL ACT - DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF RENT - DEPOSIT OF RENT IN COURT - VALIDITY - CONDITIONS - INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 5(4) OF THE ASSAM URBAN AREAS RENT CONTROL ACT, 1972.

Fact of the Case:

A landlord filed a suit for ejectment of a tenant on the grounds of default in payment of rent and bona fide requirement for expansion of business. The trial court decreed the suit, holding that the tenant was a defaulter and that the landlord's requirement was bona fide. The appellate court reversed the trial court's decision, holding that the tenant was not a defaulter and that the landlord's requirement was not bona fide.

Finding of the Court:

The High Court held that the appellate court erred in its findings. The High Court found that the tenant was a defaulter because he failed to pay rent within the time stipulated in the written contract and that he did not make a valid tender of rent before depositing it in court. The High Court also found that the landlord's requirement was bona fide.

Issues: 1. Whether the tenant was a defaulter in payment of rent. 2. Whether the deposit of rent in court was valid. 3. Whether the landlord's requirement for expansion of business was bona fide.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The High Court held that the tenant was a defaulter because he failed to pay rent within the time stipulated in the written contract and that he did not make a valid tender of rent before depositing it in court. The High Court relied on the provisions of section 5(4) of the Assam Urban Areas Rent Control Act, 1972, which requires a tenant to deposit rent in court within a fortnight of its falling due, and on the decisions of the Supreme Court and the Gauhati High Court holding that a tenant must make a valid tender of rent before depositing it in court. 2. The High Court held that the deposit of rent in court was not valid because the tenant did not pay the process fee and did not serve a written notice on the landlord, as required by section 5(4) of the Act. 3. The High Court held that the landlord's requirement for expansion of business was bona fide because the landlord had produced evidence to show that he needed the premises for his business and that he had no other suitable premises available.

Final Decision: The High Court allowed the revision application, set aside the judgment of the appellate court, and restored the judgment of the trial court decreeing the suit for ejectment.

This civil revision has been filed by the landlord. A suit was filed being Title Suit No.230 of 1985 in the Court of Munisff No. 1. Karimganj for ejectment of the defendant/respondent. The grounds of ejectment were as follows :

(i) That the tenant was default in payment of rent for the month of Srabana. Bhadra and Aswin 1388 BS.

(ii) That the house in question is required bona fide for the purpose of construction and expansion of the business of the plaintiffs.

2. The defendant filed a written statement denying both the allegations. The learned Munsiff by judgment dated 2.5.89 decreed the suit holding inter alia as follows :

(i) That the agreed date of payment of rent is admittedly within 7 days of the Bengali month next following the month of tenancy.

(ii) That the rent was not paid in accordance with the law and as such the defendant is a defaulter.

(iii) It was also found that it was not established that the rent was refused by the landlord and in that connection, the trial Court found that the money was sent by money order was not established.

(iv) It was found that the house in question is required bona fide by the plaintiffs.

3. There was an appeal being Title Appeal No.46 of 1989 before the learned Assistant District Judge at Karimganj. The learned Assistant District Judge on consideration of materials on record came to the finding that the plea of bona fide requirement was not established. He also found that there was no clear norms of accepting the rent and the plaintiffs have taken rent for 2 months. 3 months. 4 months, or 6 months as and when required. He found that there was no fixed date of payment of rent and as such the deposit of rent in Court is valid in the eye of law. Regarding bona fide requirement, it was found that this plea was not established.

4. I have heard Shri NM Lahiri. learned Advocate for the petitioner and Shri JP Bhattacharjee, learned Advocate for the opposite party/respondent. Shri Lahiri. learned Advocate for the petitioner in his usual fairness submits that the finding arrived at by the appellate Court on the plea of bonafide requirement is basically finding of fact and he also submitted that it cannot be said that in the instant case this finding is a perverse finding. Learned Judge considered the materials on record and having considered materials on record arrived at the finding. Another Court on consideration of the materials on record may take a different view but that will not make it perverse as such for the disposal of this case it is not necessary to consider this plea but Shri Lahiri strenuously urged that the defendant/tenant is a defaulter in the eye of law and on this ground he urged that this revision is to be allowed and suit has to be decreed. Regarding default Shri Lahiri makes the, following sumissions :

(i) There is a written contract regarding payment of rent and that written contracts provides that the rent is to be paid within 7 days of the succeeding Bengali month. Mere acceptance of rent as and when offered by the tenant shall not wipe out this written contract regarding mode of payment of rent.

(ii) Before deposit of rent in Court the tenant is bound to establish that there was refusal of rent by the landlord. Shri Lahiri submits that this refusal of the rent by the landlord was not established and in that view of the matter the deposit of rent cannot be deemed to be a valid deposit.

(iii) That the rents for three months were deposited together and written notices were also not furnished and as such this deposit is not a valid deposit.

5. On the otherhand. Sri JP Bhattacharjee. learned Advocate for the respondents submits that the parties by their conduct may bring to existence a different contract regarding payment of rent and such a long standing conduct regarding acceptance of rent will show that there was no fixed date regarding payment of rent, the question of default in such a situation shall not arise. Regarding refusal by the landlord he submits that the rent was sent by





































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