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2011 Supreme(Mad) 351

2011 (2) LW 50, 2011 (3) CTC 31
High Court of Judicature at Madras
G. RAJASURIA
Aravindharaj Adhithan
Versus
R. Perumal
S.A.No.900 of 2010 & M.P.Nos.1 & 2 of 2010
Decided on : 24-01-2011

Advocates appeared:
For the Appellant:D. Moorthy, Advocate.
For the Respondent:C. Jagadish, Advocate.

The main legal point established in the judgment is that for a commercial tenancy, only a 15 days' statutory notice is required for termination under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act.

Headnote:

Tenancy - Termination of Tenancy - Section 106 of Transfer of Property Act - [TENANCY] - [Termination of Tenancy] - [Section 106 of Transfer of Property Act] - The court dismissed the second appeal filed by the defendant, confirming the judgment and decree of the trial court for delivery of possession and damages. The court held that the tenancy was for running a hardware shop and only a 15 days' statutory notice was required for termination. The court also emphasized that the suit was filed after the statutory period of 15 days, curing any defects in the notice. The court found no substantial question of law involved in the case.

Fact of the Case:

The plaintiff filed a suit seeking possession of the property and damages for illegal occupation by the defendant. The trial court ordered eviction, which was confirmed by the appellate court. The defendant filed a second appeal challenging the judgments and decrees of the lower courts.

Finding of the Court:

The court dismissed the second appeal, holding that the tenancy was for running a hardware shop and only a 15 days' statutory notice was required for termination. The court also emphasized that the suit was filed after the statutory period of 15 days, curing any defects in the notice. The court found no substantial question of law involved in the case.

Issues: The issues included whether the lease period was only for 11 months for commercial purpose, whether a statutory notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act was necessary after the expiry of 11 months, and whether the lower appellate court erred in applying the principle of efflux of time under Section 111(a) of the Transfer of Property Act.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the tenancy was for running a hardware shop and only a 15 days' statutory notice was required for termination. The court also emphasized that the suit was filed after the statutory period of 15 days, curing any defects in the notice. The court found no substantial question of law involved in the case.

Final Decision: The second appeal was dismissed, and the defendant was granted 6 months' time to vacate the premises and hand over vacant possession to the plaintiff, subject to payment of future rent regularly every month, without any default.

Judgment :-

1. This second appeal is filed by the defendant, inveighing the judgment and decree dated 29.11.2008 passed by the Principal Subordinate Court, Chengalpattu, in A.S.No.71 of 2008 confirming the judgment and decree dated 31.10.2007 passed by the District Munsif, Chebngalpattu, in O.S.No.64 of 2006, which was filed for delivery of possession and damages.

2. The parties, for the sake of convenience, are referred to here under according to their litigative status and ranking before the trial Court.

3. Compendiously and concisely, the relevant facts absolutely necessary and germane for the disposal of this second appeal would run thus:

(i) The respondent herein, as plaintiff, filed the suit seeking the following reliefs:

"To pass judgment and decree in favour of the plaintiff:

a)directing the defendant to hand over the possession of the schedule mentioned property within a time to be specified by this Hon'ble Court.

b) directing the defendant to pay damages for the period of his illegal occupation;

c) directing the defendant to pay future damages at Rs.200/- per day (Rs.100/- each shop) till the delivery of vacant possession of the suit property."

(ii) Written statement was filed resisting the suit. Whereupon issues were framed by the trial Court.

(iii) During trial, the plaintiff on his side examined himself as P.W.1 and marked Exs.A1 to A9. The defendant on his side examined himself as D.W.1 and Exs.B1 to B13 were marked.

(iv) Ultimately, the trial Court ordered eviction, as against which, the appeal was filed for nothing but to be dismissed by the appellate Court, confirming the judgment and decree of the trial Court.

4. Challenging and impugning the judgments and decrees of the Courts below, this second appeal has been filed on various grounds inter alia to the effect that the Courts below were wrong in holding as though after the initial expiry of 11 months period of tenancy there was no tenancy at all and there was no necessity at all for issuance of notice etc, which was totally wrong.

5. The appellant/defendant, in the memorandum of grounds of second appeal suggested the following substantial questions of law:

"a. Whether the learned lower appellate Court was erred by held that lease period is only for 11 months period for commercial purpose or not?

b. Whether the learned lower appellate Court has committed serious error by erroneously held that statutory notice under Section 106 of T.P.Act is not necessary after expiry of 11 months period or not?

c. Whether the learned lower appellate Court has failed to ascertain the true intention between the parties or not? And as though tenancy period entered for period of 11 months, will it be concluded by the end of 11 months or not?

d. Whether the lower appellate Court has erred by applying the principle of efflux of time under Section 111(a) of T.P.Act to the end of 11 months period or not?"

(extracted as such)

6. Heard both as to whether any substantial question of law has to be framed in this case.

7. At the outset itself I recollect and call up the following decisions of the Honourable Apex Court:

(i) (2006) 5 Supreme Court Cases 545 - HERO VINOTH (MINOR) VS. SESHAMMAL.

(ii) 2008(4) SCALE 300 - KASHMIR SINGH VS. HARNAM SINGH AND ANOTHER.

(iii) 2009-1-L.W.1 - STATE BANK OF INDIA & OTHERS vs. S.N.GOYA:

8. A bare and plain reading of those precedents would reveal and demonstrate that in second appeal, this Court could not interfere relating to the concurrent finding of facts by the Courts below, unless there is any perversity or illegality or any substantial question of law is involved.

9. The contention on the side of the appellant/defendant that there was holding over of tenancy even after the initial period of 11 months even if accepted, at the most under the Transfer of Property Act, the tenant, namely, the defendant is entitled to statutory notice under Section 106 of the Act.

10. The learned counsel for the respondent/plaintiff, at this juncture, appropriately and apposit




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