IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
R.Balasubramanian, J.
R.Pappathiammal and others
Versus
Nachammal and others
C.R.P.No.338 of 1997
Decided On : 12 October 2000
Eviction - Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act - Sec.14(1)(b) - [Vijay Singh v. Vijayalakshmi Ammal, (1997)1 M.L.J. (S.C.) 98: (1996)6 S.C.C. 475: (1996)2 C.T.C. 586], [K.M.Abdul Razzak, v. Damodharan, (2000)5 S.C.C. 369], [A.Lakshmanan and others v. Kanniammal alias Pattammal, (1995)1 L.W. 632], [Thangasami v. Vinayakamoorthi, (1996)2 L.W. 534], [S.Raju and others v. Nathamuni, (1998)3 L.W. 214] - The judgment discusses the condition and age of the building, the bona fide intention of the landlord for demolition and reconstruction, and the landlord's financial position as essential requirements for an order of eviction under Sec.14(1)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act. The court emphasizes that the condition of the building need not have deteriorated to the extent of immediate demolition, and the age and dilapidated condition of the building are not essential for eviction. The judgment also highlights that the landlord's capacity to raise necessary funds and the absence of mala fide intention are crucial factors in establishing bona fide requirement for demolition and reconstruction.
Fact of the Case:
The landlords sought eviction of the tenants under Sec.14(1)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act, claiming the building was required for immediate demolition and reconstruction. The Rent Controller dismissed the eviction petition, finding that the condition of the building had not been established, and the landlords' bona fides were not proven. The Appellate Authority, however, ordered eviction, finding that the landlords had made out a case for eviction and possessed sufficient means for reconstruction.
Finding of the Court:
The Appellate Authority's order of eviction was upheld, as it was found that the landlords had established the condition and age of the building, their bona fide intention for demolition and reconstruction, and their financial position to carry out the work.
Issues: The main issue was whether the landlords had established the essential requirements for an order of eviction under Sec.14(1)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act, including the condition and age of the building, the landlord's bona fide intention, and their financial capacity for reconstruction.
Ratio Decidendi: The judgment emphasizes that the condition of the building need not have deteriorated to the extent of immediate demolition, and the age and dilapidated condition of the building are not essential for eviction. It also highlights the landlord's capacity to raise necessary funds and the absence of mala fide intention as crucial factors in establishing bona fide requirement for demolition and reconstruction.
Final Decision: The revision was dismissed, and the Appellate Authority's order of eviction was upheld, as the landlords had established the essential requirements for eviction under Sec.14(1)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act.
2. The learned senior counsel mainly contended that the landlords have not established that the building in question is required for the purpose of immediate demolition and reconstruction, though they have pleaded so in the petition. In the absence of proof that the building is required for the purpose of immediate demolition and reconstruction, the Appellate Authority had completely erred in law and on facts in ordering eviction. The learned senior counsel also contended that, even assuming for a moment without admitting that the landlords have established the condition of the building warranting an order of eviction, yet that alone would not be sufficient, in the absence of the landlords establishing their bona fides in regard thereto. The learned Rent Controller, while dismissing the eviction petition, not only found that the condition of the building had not been established, but also found that the bona fides of the landlords is also not established. However the Appellate Authority, while ordering eviction, had not adverted to the bona fide needs of the landlords in this case and consequently there is no finding on that subject. The only pleading is that the landlords wanted to demolish the non-residential holding and to put up a residential building. It has come out in evidence that the landlords own a number of residential buildings; they are in occupation of their own residential building and this aspect had been taken into account by the Rent Controller to find against the landlords on the question of bona fides. All the above mentioned aspects have escaped the attention of the Appellate Authority and therefore the order of the Appellate Authority suffers from illegality on that aspect as well. In other words, the sum and substance of the argument of the learned senior counsel is that, the landlords have neither established the condition of the building warranting an order of eviction, nor have established their bona fides and therefore they are not entitled to any order of eviction at all on the ground of demolition and reconstruction.
3. Opposing the arguments advanced by the learned senior counsel, Mr.R.Sekar learned counsel appearing for respondents 1 to 12 would contend that the proceedings under the Rent Control Act being summary in nature, strict rules of pleadings as contemplated in the regular civil litigation cannot be insisted upon. The Court trying a case under the Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act should go by the totality of the pleadings and evidence available and decide on that, as to whether the parities to the litigation have made out their respective cases or not. As far as the condition of the building is concerned, the learned counsel would contend that the materials available on record do establish the condition of the building warranting an order of eviction to be passed and those materials alone have gone into the mind of the Appellate Authority, who ordered eviction. As far as the bona fides are concerned, the learned counsel for the respondents would contend that talking into account the nature of the construction; the locality in which the building is situated and the importance of that area, it can be safely inferred and held that the landlords have established their
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