1. The tenant, against whom the authorities below have passed an order for eviction, on an application in that regard taken out by the respondents herein, who are the landlords, under S. 10(3)(a)(i) of the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act 18 of 1960, as amended by Act 23 of 1973 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), is the petitioner.

2. The building bearing door No. 11, Third Street, Gopalapuram, Madras-86, consisting of a ground-floor and a first-floor, belonged to one Seethalakshmi Ammal. By two registered sale deeds, dated 5th April, 1982, the respondents herein purchased the entire ground-floor from Seethalakshmi Ammal in distinct and separate portions. Even prior to the sale in favour of the respondents by Seethalakshmi Ammal, the petitioner herein was in occupation of a portion of the ground-floor comprised in both the portions purchased distinctly and separately by the respondents, under sale deeds referred to earlier. After the sale in favour of the respondents, Seethalakshmi Ammal intimated the petitioner about the sale and directed her to pay the rent to the respondents herein from the month of March, 1982 onwards. There is ho dispute now th