IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
T. Ramaprasada Rao, CJ.
P. V. Subbu Chetty and Sons .....Appellant(s)
Versus
M|s. Madras Stainless Emporium (Regd.) and another .....Respondent(s)
C.R.P. No. 2743 of 1977.
Decided On : 11 January 1979
RENT CONTROL - EVICTION - SUB-LETTING - CESSATION OF OCCUPATION - WILFUL DEFAULT - INTERPRETATION OF SECTIONS 10 (2) (II) (A) AND 10 (2) (VI) OF THE TAMIL NADU BUILDINGS (LEASE AND RENT CONTROL) ACT.
Fact of the Case:
Petitioner filed a rent control petition for evicting the respondent from the premises on the grounds of sub-letting, cessation of occupation, and wilful default in payment of rent.
Finding of the Court:
The appellate authority reversed the Rent Controller's order for eviction on all grounds.
Issues: 1. Whether there is identity in the cause of action when it is laid under sections 10 (2) (ii) (a) and 10 (2) (vi) of the Act? 2. Whether the occupation of the premises by Ameena Metal Stores, in which one of the partners was admittedly a partner of Madras Stainless Steel Emporium, can be said to be as a result of sub-letting by the quondam dissolved firm? 3. Whether the consistent attitude and conduct of the second respondent by having sent rents in his own name, would amount to a valid tender, and if it is not, whether it would still amount to wilful default?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. Sub-letting and cessation of occupation under sections 10 (2) (ii) (a) and 10 (2) (vi) of the Act are distinct grounds for eviction. 2. Occupation by a firm is only occupation by its partners, and where the old and new firms have a common partner, the occupation will be by one of the original tenants, and the common partner will be considered to be in possession all through in his individual capacity. 3. The second respondent's failure to disclose his identity and his refusal to refer to the landlord that he was continuing in occupation as the past partner of the original tenant may amount to wilful default in the payment of rent.
Final Decision: The court remitted the subject-matter to the appellate authority for reconsideration on the evidence on record to determine whether the tenant did not pay or tender the rents due by him and whether the payments made by drafts without the second respondent disclosing his identity would amount to a valid tender.
2. The first respondent’s case was that the partnership, was dissolved in 1970, that one of the partners of the quondam partnership continued to remain in the premises and was trading therein but under a different style of Ameena Stores and that, therefore, there wasneither sub-letting nor a question of the tenant ceasing to occupy the premises can ever be thought of or has arisen in this case. In. so far as the non-payment of rent for June to September, 1972 was concerned, the respondent’s case was that the tenant in the sense the second respondent tendered the rent and notwithstanding the fact that the landlord was not put on notice of the dissolution of the original firm in writing and notwithstanding the absence of notice of specific induction of the second respondent as tenant, the rent, which was tendered by drafts was being so tendered or paid by the second respondent, Ameena Stores and it would not make any difference. The respondents therefore, resisted the application for eviction on the above grounds.
3. The Rent Controller found that the petitioner as landlord was entitled to an order for eviction on all the grounds. The appellate authority reversed the judgment again on all the grounds. Hence, the civil revision petition.
4. Mr. Unnikrishnan, learned counsel for the petitioner, repeats the contentions raised before the authorities and would say that there has teen sub-letting and that the petitioner has made out a case that the tenant has ceased to occupy the building for a period of more than four months as contemplated under section. 10 (2) (vi) of the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act. He would also contend that by reason of Ameena Stores being inducted into the premises by the quondam partnership firm there has been sub-letting without authority within the meaning of section 10 (2) (ii) (a) of the Act. He would further contend that the appellate authority, while reversing the finding of the Rent Controller, did not give a specific ruling as to whether there has been indifference or wanton failure on the part of the tenant in tendering (the rents and in any event the tender of such rents by drafts by the second respondent without disclosing his identity is by itself a suspicious circumstance and such tender of rent ought to be ignored and the petitioner given relief under section 10 (2)
5. The question is whether there is identity either in part of in whole in the cause of action when it is laid under section 10 (2) (ii) (a) and 10 (2) (vi) of the Act. Under section 10 (2) (ii) (a) a landlord is entitled to an order for eviction if there is a subletting of the building or any portion thereof without his written consent. Section 10 (2) (vi) on the other hand, speaks of a situation where the tenant has ceased to occupy a [building for a continuous period of four months without reasonable cause. If the case of sub-letting of a part of the building is proved, then it would also pragmatically mean that the tenant has ceased to occupy that portion of the building for a continuous period of four months without reasonable cause. In his sense, where there is a partial
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