2001 Supreme(Raj) 1291
Rajasthan High Court
Honble N.P. GUPTA, J.
Bhagwati Devi - Appellant
Versus
M/s. Ramesh Chand Jitendra Kumar - Respondents
S.B. Civil Second Appeal No.31 of 2001
Decided On : December 11, 2001
Dinesh Maheshwari, for Appellant
Headnote:Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1950, Sec. 13 – Suit for eviction on the ground of default in rent and non-user of premises – Premises was taken for godown purposes and being used for the same – In the plaint it was not mentioned about the purpose for which the premises was let and premises being used for another purpose – No evidence on record to show that premises were let out for carrying on business on it – Held – Suit rightly dismissed. (Paras 19 to 22)
The plaintiff has not come forward with a positive case in the plaint about the purpose for which it was let and the premises being used for any other purpose. On the other hand, the plaintiff has come forward with a positive case of total non user of the suit premises as is clear from the pleading quoted above. (Para 19)
It appears that the argument is sought to be based simply on the presumption that since the premises is shop, and it is being used for Godown, it is used contrary to the purpose for which it was let out. Apart from the pleading, even there is no reliable evidence on record to show that the premises were let out for carrying on the business on the premises. (Para 20)
In this view of the matter, even after reappreciation of the entire record, I am not inclined to uphold this ground of eviction in favour of the plaintiff. (Para 21)
(2). Both the learned Courts below have dismissed the plaintiffs suit for eviction filed on the ground of default in payment of rent and non-user of the premises.
(3). Regarding default, it was claimed that the rent is in arrear since 26.1.1989. The suit has been filed on 21.1.1993.
(4). It has been found by the learned Courts below that the rent was tendered by the defendant by Money Order Ex.A/2, Booking Receipt thereof is Ex.A/1, and that was refused by the plaintiff, and thereafter it has been regularly deposited in the Court & Sec. 19-A.
(5). The learned counsel has shown me the originals of the Ex.A/1 and A/2. True it is that on Ex.A/1, the detailed address of the plaintiff is not mentioned, but then it purports to be a receipt for booking a Money Order No.5295 for a sum of Rs.750/- on 29.1.1992 as appears from the postal seal of the Post Office. Then regarding Ex.A/2, it is contended that this paper does not bear any seal of the Post Office of destination nor does it bear any endorsement of refusal to receive the Money Order by the addressee.
(6). Suffice it to say that the plaintiff, while in the witness box, in his examination-in-chief has not said a word about any default except deposing a sentence to the effect ``blds tuojh 92 ls fdjk;k cdk;k gSA Then in cross-examination, he has denied the suggestion about the defendant having sent the Money Order and has also denied to have refused to accept it. Then the cross- examination is directed towards the aspect that the plaintiffs husband PW-1 is always available at Home and in the evening reports the events of the day.
(7). As against this, the defendant has appeared as DW-1 and has deposed about having sent the rent by Money Order Ex.A/1, Ex.A/2, and thereafter to have deposited the same in the Court, and has proved various documents about deposit in the Court. The defendant was cross-examined on the side of the plaintiff, and it has not been suggested to him that as a matter of fact, he never sent this Money Order or that it was not addressed to the plaintiff, rather the address, on which, the Money Order was sent was asked, which the defendant detailed.
(8). This is the only oral evidence on record. In this background, a look at the memo of issues shows that on the question of default, there were two issues framed, being issue No.1 & 3. Issue No.1 comprehended the question as to whether the defendant has committed second default by not paying rent since 26.1.1992. The burden of this issue was placed on the plaintiff. While the issue No.3 comprehended the question as to whether the plaintiff declined to receive the rent, whereupon, it was deposited in the Court u/S.19-A by the defendant. The burden of this issue was placed on the defendant.
(9). It is clear on record that after the defendant led evidence on issue No.3 by proving Ex.A/1 to Ex.A/13, no evidence has been led by the plaintiff in rebuttal to disprove or controvert or explain Ex.A/1 and Ex.A/2. It is not for me to catalogue as to what could have been the rebuttal evidence, from the records of the Post Office i.e. the Original Money Order or Postman or the like, but then, the fact remains that the plaintiff has led no evidence in rebuttal.
(10). The Money Order was booked in the Post Office as appears from Ex.A/1, and that being an official act of a public servant in receiving the Money Order by way of booking for the addressee, I do not find any error in the findings recorded by the lower appellate Court in para No.14, more so, in absence of any rebuttal evidence on the side of the plaintiff.
(11). The other contention raised was that the finding of the learned Courts below on the question of non-user of the suit premises for the requisite period of time, is bad. The contention was elaborated by contending that the premises is a shop, and it was let out for the purpose of carrying on business, while admittedly, the defendant is carrying on business in Market No