2004 Supreme(Raj) 145
High Court Of Rajasthan
Judgename : B. Prasad
Ratan Lal - Appellant
Versus
Heera Lal - Respondent
S.B. Civil Second Appeal No. 294 of 2003
Decided On : 02/20/2004
K.C. Samdariya, Advocate for the Appellant
Dinesh Maheshwari, Advocate for the Respondents
The main legal point established in the judgment is the strict adherence to the provisions of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950, regarding rent ejectment and the consequences of depositing or paying the determined amount. The judgment underscores the strict liability rights provided under the Act, emphasizing that deposits made in one proceeding cannot be considered in another proceeding unless directed by the decree of the first suit.
Headnote:
Default - Rent Ejectment - Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950 - Section 13(3), Section 13(7), Section 13(8) - The court discussed the provisions of Section 13(7) and Section 13(8) of the Act of 1950, highlighting the requirement for the court to decide the dispute regarding the amount of rent payable by the tenant and the consequences of depositing or paying the determined amount. The court emphasized that deposits made in one proceeding cannot be considered in another proceeding unless directed by the decree of the first suit. The judgment also underscored the strict liability rights provided under the Act of 1950, stating that the rights conferred by the statute must be followed without the application of common law or equity.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved a dispute between a landlord and tenant regarding a second default in rent payment. The tenant argued that the deposit made in the first suit should be considered in the second suit to avoid a decree for eviction.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the tenant failed to make a valid deposit for the period in question, and the defense of the appellant could not be considered due to the lack of challenge to the orders of determination of rent and striking off of the defense. The court held that the tenant had not rendered or paid the rent for the alleged period, and therefore, the plaintiff had succeeded in proving the case.
Issues: The issues revolved around the validity of the deposit made in the first suit, the applicability of the deposit in the second suit, and the consequences of non-deposit as per the provisions of the Act of 1950.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the strict liability rights provided under the Act of 1950, highlighting that deposits made in one proceeding cannot be considered in another proceeding unless directed by the decree of the first suit. The court also emphasized the requirement for the tenant to make a valid deposit as per the provisions of the Act.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed as the court found no substantial question of law in the present appeal.
B. Prasad, J.-Heard.
2. The appeal arises out of a decision of a suit instituted by the learned on the basis of second default. In this appeal, in fact, to determine whether any substantial question of law arises in this appeal requires a journey through the facts.
3. Between landlord and tenant, the present appeal was filed in relation to a second suit based on default. The earlier suit was instituted and after giving benefit of first default, the same was dismissed on 210.90. The appeal filed in this regard was also dismissed on 21.01.97 and the Court observed that any deposit made under Section 19-A of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act of 1950’), until decision to that suit will be counted towards the deposit of rent in that suit. This suit conclusively determined that the tenant had committed first default.
4. Second suit was filed on 7.5.9 1 between the parties. This suit was dismissed, however, in appeal, the matter was remanded back. After remand, the rent was determined in second suit on 8.99 as per the mandate of Section 13(3) of the Act of 1950. Admittedly, no rent was deposited as determined by the order dated
8.99. The case of the tenant appellant was that since, he had deposited advance rent in the first suit, therefore, the amount deposited in the first suit should be taken note of in the second suit. It should be held that no default was committed by the tenant. The court considered that in second suit, the rent, as determined, has not been deposited. Therefore, defence against the eviction was struck off Both the orders
i.e. rent determination and striking off of the defence was challenged in appeal un-successfully by the appellant. The decision in suit and in first appeal went against the appellant. Hence, this second appeal.
5. Learned counsel for the appellant asserted that the order of deposit and order of determination of rent was in complete as it has not taken note of the deposit made by the tenant in the first suit and therefore, it was erroneous. It requires to be interfered in second appeal by this Court, so also, the order of striking of the defence because there was a deposit made.
6. Learned counsel for the tenant respondent contested the arguments of the learned counsel for the appellant and stresses that these orders were not challenged before the first appellate court and therefore, the same cannot be challenged in second appeal. More particularly, these orders have not been filed while filing second appeal. It has also not been explained as to why these questions were not raised before the first appellate court. Further, learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the order of determination ot rent was by consent and no appeal could have been filed against a consent order under Section 96 CPC. This was the order of appellate court while deciding the validity of the order of determination of rent. This question, without having been challenged in the regular first appeal by the tenant before the learned District Judge, cannot be made the subject matter of challenge in second appeal, more particularly, when the order was by consent.
7. I haveconsidered the rival submissions. The order of determination of rent and order of striking of the defence was not challenged before the regular first appellate court. The memo of first appeal was referred for confirmation. In the prayer, in the appeal, there is no mention of these orders. Copy of these orders have not been filed on the record of this second appeal, therefore, it cannot be considered that any challenge is sustainable at the instance of the learned counsel for the appellant in second appeal against these two orders. It is also noteworthy that there is no prayer in the prayer clause of second appeal against there orders. Once the order of determination of rent is upheld and striking of the defence is also not interfered, then what remains to be seen is whether the a