High Court of Kerala
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PIUS C.KURIAKOSE & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.K. ABDUL REHIM
Dr. P. Venugopalan Nair
Versus
Mohamedkunhi & Others
RCRev.. Nos.79 of 2007 & 195 of 2007
Decided on : 10-02-2010
Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1965 -Section. 11( 3) - Revision petitioners/tenants are aggrieved by the judgment in the Rent Control Appeals - Rent Control Court evaluated the evidence which consisted of Ext.A1 to A4, PW1 and RW1 and came to the conclusion that the need was not bona fide - Unless it can be said that it is with an oblique motive that - Revisions are dismissed.
Pius C. Kuriakose, J.
The parties are referred to herein as the Landlord and the tenant. RCR.79/07 is filed by the tenant. RCR.195/07 is filed by the landlord. The revision petitioners/tenants are aggrieved by the judgment in the rent control appeals. Since the landlord's case for eviction in the context of the ground under Section 11(2)(b) was declined by the authorities below concurrently on the ground under Section 11(2)(b) and since we do not find any illegality, irregularity or impropriety with the decision of the authorities below in the context of the ground under Section 11(2)(b) we do not propose to refer to the rival contentions in the context of that ground. We confirm the order of authorities below declining eviction under Section 11(2) (b). We however observe that the cause of action for eviction on the ground of arrears of rent is a recurring one and it is always open to the landlord to seek eviction on the ground of arrears of rent once it is seen the tenant has defaulted payment of rent.
2. The case of the landlord in the context of the substantial question under Section 11 (3) was that 1st petitioner in the Rent Control Petition was without any job or avocation and he needs the petition schedule building which is in the first floor of a larger building belonging to the landlord for conducting business in plastic and stationery. The tenant is a Homeopath and is conducting a pharmacy in the petition schedule building. His contention was that the landlords are having vacant possession of other vacant rooms in the ground floor of the building and that the room in the ground floor of the building will be more ideal for conducting the proposed business even if the need is genuine. It was also contended that the Rent Control Petition is liable to be rejected in view of the 1st proviso to Section 11(3).It was also contended that the tenant is entitled to protection under the second proviso to Section 11 (3). The Rent Control Court evaluated the evidence which consisted of Ext.A1 to A4, PW1 and RW1 and came to the conclusion that the need was not bonafide. According to the Rent Control Court a room in the ground floor of the building will be more suitable for conducting of the business proposed by the 1st petitioner in the Rent Control Petition than the petition schedule building in the first floor. The learned Rent Control Court would infer and conclude that the action of the landlord in not seeking eviction of a room in the ground floor is indicative of absence of bonafides. That court however, held following the judgment of the Full Bench reported in Francis v. Sreedevi Varassiar (2003 (2) KLT 230 (F.B) that the tenant was unsuccessful in establishing his entitlement for the protection of the 2nd proviso to S. 11(3). However, in view of the finding that the need is not bonafide order of eviction was declined under Section 11(3).
3. The Rent Control Appellate Authority keeping in mind the judgment of the Full Bench referred to above concurred with the Rent Control Court's view that the tenant is not entitled to protection of second proviso to Section 11(3). That authority however held that it is for the landlord to decide where he should conduct his business. According to that authority, since there is no vacant room in the ground floor, the landlord has the prerogative to pick and choose one from among his various tenants and even the authorities under Rent Control Court were not empowered to sit in judgment over the wisdom exercised by the landlord under the rule of pick and choose. Accordingly interfering with the order of Rent Control Court the Appellate Authority would allow the Rent Control Petition on the ground of bonafide need for own occupation.
4. In the revision filed by the tenant various grounds have been raised assailing the decision of the Appellate Authority and Mr. Suresh Kumar Kodoth addressed us extensively on all those grounds. Sri. D. Krishna Prasad, learned counsel for the revision
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