High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S. JAGADEESAN
Saraswathi Ammal - Appellant
Versus
Viveka Primary School - Respondents
S.A. No.726 of 2001 and C.M.P. No.7600 of 2001
Decided On : 30 April 2001
Permanent Injunction - Landlord Tenant Dispute - The court held that a tenant is not entitled to a permanent injunction preventing the landlord from evicting him from the leasehold property. The relief sought by the respondent for a permanent injunction against the landlord cannot be granted as it would be an embargo on the landlord's right to enjoy the property. The court also noted that the respondent's intention in seeking the injunction was to prevent the landlord from claiming any enhanced rent, and therefore, set aside the judgments and decrees of the lower courts.
Fact of the Case:
The respondent, a tenant, filed a suit for permanent injunction against the appellant, the landlord, to prevent eviction from the leasehold property. The trial court decreed the suit, which was confirmed by the lower appellate court, leading to the second appeal.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the relief sought by the respondent for a permanent injunction against the landlord could not be granted as it would be an embargo on the landlord's right to enjoy the property. The court also noted the respondent's intention in seeking the injunction to prevent the landlord from claiming any enhanced rent.
Issues: The main issue was whether a tenant is entitled to a permanent injunction preventing the landlord from evicting him from the leasehold property.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that a tenant is not entitled to a permanent injunction preventing the landlord from evicting him from the leasehold property as it would be an embargo on the landlord's right to enjoy the property.
Final Decision: The court set aside the judgments and decrees of the lower courts, allowed the second appeal, and directed the respondent to pay the cost of the appeal.
The appeal has been filed with the delay of 12 days. Notice was served on the respondent. As the counsel for the respondent has no objection, the delay had been condoned, and the appeal was numbered and posted for admission. Since both the counsel are present, the second appeal is taken up for final disposal with the consent of counsel on either side, as the question for decision falls in a narrow campus.
2. The defendant in O.S. No. 166 of 1995 on the file of the District Munsif, Ranlpet is the appellant herein.
3. The respondent herein, who Is the tenant under the appellant herein filed the suit for the relief of permanent injunction restraining the defendant, her men and her agents from evicting the plaintiff institution from the schedule mentioned property.
4. The averment in the plaint is that the appellant herein is trying to evict the respondent herein in order to lease it out for higher rent and the appellant further attempts to evict the respondent herein without following the due process of law. Hence, the suit for permanent injunction.
5. This claim of the respondent herein was opposed by the appellant herein.
6. However, the trial Court, by its judgment and decree dated 9-4-1997, decreed the suit as prayed for. The relief granted is as follows:
(Vernacular matter omitted-Ed.)
7. The appellant herein preferred an appeal in A.S. No.32 of 1997 on the file of the Subordinate Judge, Ranipet, Vellore District. The learned Subordinate Judge, who heard the appeal, concurred with the findings of the trial Court and dismissed the appeal with costs. Hence, the second appeal.
8. In the second appeal, the only question arises for consideration is as to whether a tenant is entitled for an order of permanent injunction preventing the landlord from evicting him from the lease hold property.
9. Mr. Krishnasamy, learned counsel for the appellant contended that there cannot be any permanent injunction against the landlord from evicting the tenant. If such an injunction is to be sustained, then, it will be an embargo on the right of the landlord in enjoying the property. Hence, the judgments and decree of the Courts below cannot at all be sustained.
10. Learned counsel for the respondent Mr. Subramanian fairly conceded that there cannot be any permanent injunction against the landlord from evicting the tenant from the premises. Hence, the decree may be modified by stating that the landlord, the appellant cannot evict the tenant, the respondent without due process of law.
11. This Court carefully considered the contentions of both the learned counsel. As stated already, the relief sought for in the plaint is one for permanent injunction restraining the appellant herein, her men, and her agents from evicting the respondent institution from the scheduled mentioned property. Hence, it is clear that the relief sought for by the respondent is a permanent injunction against the landlord the appellant herein from evicting the respondent herein. When admittedly, such a relief cannot be granted, the decrees of the Courts below also cannot be sustained, since it is an embargo on the right of the appellant to enjoy the property. Hence, the judgments and decrees of the Courts below cannot be sustained. Further, there cannot be a permanent lease in favour of the respondent.
12. However, the Courts below have totally erred in granting such a decree for permanent injunction restraining the appellant from evicting the respondent forever. Though the counsel for the respondent is very fair in seeking for the modification of the decree, this Court is not inclined to consider the same for the following reason.
13. Considering the fact that the suit was laid by the respondent for permanent injunction restraining the appellant from evicting the respondent forever, this Court is of the view that the respondent has resorted to this to prevent the appellant from claiming any enhanced rent. Admittedly, for the past six years, there is no enhancement of the rent
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