1982 Supreme(Raj) 130
High Court Of Rajasthan
Judgename : M.C. Jain
Shyamlal - Appellant
Versus
Upbhokta Sahakari Samiti, Jodhpur - Respondent
Civil Revision Petition No. 114 of 1981
Decided On : 09/07/1982
Appearance :
J.R. Tatia, For the Appellant
K.N. Joshi, For the Respondents
Depositing rent and interest under Section 13(4) of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950, extinguishes the ground of eviction for default in payment of rent under Section 13(1)(a) of the Act.
Headnote:
RENT CONTROL - EVICTION - DEFAULT - DEPOSIT OF RENT AND INTEREST - WAIVER OF BENEFIT - INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 13(4), (5), (6) AND (7) OF THE RAJASTHAN PREMISES (CONTROL OF RENT AND EVICTION) ACT, 1950.
Fact of the Case:
The defendant deposited rent and interest on the first date of hearing under Section 13(4) of the Act and filed an application for dismissal of the eviction suit under Section 13(7). The trial court dismissed the application, but the appellate court allowed it, directing the suit to proceed only in relation to costs. The plaintiffs challenged this order in revision.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the ground of eviction under Section 13(1)(a) of the Act (default in payment of rent) falls through once the tenant deposits the amount of rent and interest as per Section 13(4). The court interpreted Section 13(4), (5), (6), and (7) of the Act and concluded that the tenant is not required to continue depositing rent if they have already deposited the arrears and interest on the first date of hearing or within the time allowed by the court.
Issues: 1. Whether the tenant waived the benefit of Section 13(4) of the Act by expressing willingness to proceed with the suit after framing of issues and filing of the written statement? 2. Whether the ground of eviction under Section 13(1)(a) of the Act continues to exist if the tenant deposits the amount of rent and interest as per Section 13(4)?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the tenant's willingness to proceed with the suit after framing of issues and filing of the written statement does not amount to a waiver of the benefit under Section 13(4) of the Act. 2. The court interpreted Section 13(4), (5), (6), and (7) of the Act and concluded that the ground of eviction under Section 13(1)(a) of the Act falls through once the tenant deposits the amount of rent and interest as per Section 13(4).
Final Decision: The court dismissed the revision petition and held that the plaintiffs' suit for eviction is dismissed. The parties were directed to bear their own costs throughout.
M.C. Jain, J.-This revision is directed against the order dated 17-2-1981, passed by the Civil Judge, Jodhpur, whereby he allowed the application under Section 13 (7) of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), reversing the order of the Munsif and Judicial Magistrate, Jodhpur City, dated 23-10-1980, whereby the learned Munsif rejected the defendant’s application under Section 13 (7) of the Act. The learned Civil Judge further directed that the suit shall proceed only relating to costs.
2. I may briefly narrate the facts and circumstances leading to the present revision petition. The petitioners instituted a suit for eviction of the defendant from the shops on the ground of default. The suit was instituted on 14-4-1975. Summons were issued to the defendant. Thereupon the defendant appeared on 4-8-1975 and submitted an application under Section 13 (4) of the Act. The case was then adjourned to 11-8-1075. On 11-8-1075 the defendant submitted an application under Section 13 (7) of the Act. On 19-8-1975 the plaintiffs submitted reply to the application. The Court considered that the only controversy between the parties relates to costs and interest so an issue to that effect was framed. However, the case was posted for filing of the written statement and evidence on that issue, to 26-8-1975. On 26-8-1975. Counsel for the defendant, expressed that the defendant wants to proceed with the suit after framing all issues on filing of the written statement. Thereupon, the Counsel for the plaintiffs expressed that the plaintiffs have no objection. The case was then posted for filing of the written statement. The written statement was filed cm 16-9-1975. The Court thereafter proceeded to try the suit. After trial, the learned Munsif decreed the plaintiff s suit on 25-9-1976. The defendant preferred an appeal against the judgment and decree of the learned Munsif , which was allowed on 2-1-1977 and the decree passed by the trial Court, was set aside and the plaintiffs suit for eviction was dismissed. However, the plaintiffs were allowed to withdraw the amount deposited by the defendant from the Court. The plaintiffs then preferred second appeal, which was allowed on 11-8-1880 and the judgment and decree of the first appellate Court were set aside and the case was remanded to the trial Court with a direction to proceed with the suit in the light of the observations made in the judgment in accordance with law. After the remand of the case, on behalf of the defendant, a prayer was made that the defendant’s application under Section 13 (7) of the Art may be first heard and decided and attention was invited to the observations made by this Court at page 15. However, the Court framed an issue to the effect as to whether the defendant is a defaulter and then posted the case for hearing the arguments on the defendant’s application under Section 13
(7) of the Act. The application under Section 13 (7) of the Act was to the effect that the de-iendant has, paid the amount of rent and interest thereon on the first date of hearing, so the plaintiffs’ suit is liable to be
dismissed and as such the same may be dismissed. The learned Munsif after hearing the arguments on the application, dismissed the application The defendant went in appeal against the order dated 11-8-1975 and the learned Additional Civil Judge allowed the appeal, as stated above. Hence, this revision petition.
3. I haveheard Shri J. R. Tafia learned Counsel for the plaintiff-petitioners and Shri R. N. Joshi, learned Counsel for the defendant-non-petitioner.
4. In this revision petition an important question of law arises for consideration. The question that arises for consideration is as to whether the plaintiffs can proceed with the trial of the suit for eviction despite the fact that the defendant deposited the amount of rent together with interest thereon on the first date of hearing under Section 13 (4) ef the Act