K.M. Natarajan, J.

1. The petitioners herein are the tenants. The respondent herein filed H.R.C. Nos. 190, 191 and 193 to 195 of 1977 before the learned Rent Controller of the Nilgiris for eviction of the petitioners in these revisions and two others, who occupied different portions of the petition-mentioned building, on the ground that the building is old and dilapidated and it requires demolition and reconstruction. It is further alleged that the respondent herein is possessed of sufficient funds to undertake the work of demolition and reconstruction and he also obtained necessary permission from the Municipality.

2. The said petitions were resisted by the tenants on the ground that the claim of the respondent herein is not bona fide, that the allegations that the building is in a dilapidated condition and is very old are all false and that the same are alleged in order to secure higher rate of rent and even to dispose of the building.

3. All the petitions were tried jointly. The respondent herein alone was examined as P.W.1 on his side and Exs.A-1 to A-8 were marked. On the side of the petitioners herein, R.Ws.1 to 5 were examined.

4. The learned Rent Controller allowed the pet