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2012 Supreme(Mad) 1193

High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. M.Y. EQBAL
Y.L. Puttuthai @ Prabha, rep. by Power of Attorney Agent Y.L. Jayaraj
Versus
T. Boran
C.R.P.No.4768 of 2011 & M.P. No.1 of 2011
Decided On : 06-03-2012

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Ms. P.T. Asha for M/s. Sarvabauman Associates, Advocates.
For the Respondent:Murugamanickam, Advocate.

Headnote:TAMIL NADU BUILDINGS (L&R) CONTROL RULES, 1974 - RULE 12 (3) - Civil Procedure Code, 1908 - Section 47 - Petitioner/land lady filed petition for eviction of respondent/tenant on ground of wilful default and also for a decree of arrears of rent - After service of notice respondent failed to file counter affidavit inspite of fact that case was adjourned on several occasions - Ex parte decree for eviction was passed - Petitioner filed E.R. for recovery of possession - Again respondent failed to file counter on several dates when case is posted also no representation - Executing court ordered delivery of possession - Delivery could not be effected as door was locked Executing court issued fresh warrant of delivery of possession - At this stage tenant filed application under Section 151 of CPC for recalling warrant of delivery of possession on ground that he has filed application to set aside ex parte decree - No representation on side of respondent/tenant - Petition filed by respondent to recall warrant was dismissed - Petition filed to set aside ex parte decree by respondent also dismissed - After dismissal of above stated two petitions - Respondent filed petition under Section 47 of CPC for setting aside ex parte order of eviction along with petition under Section 5 of Limitation Act - Executing court allowed petition and recalled warrant of possession - Hence this revision - Whether Rule 12 (3) of Rules is mandatory inasmuch as in every case when a petition for setting, aside an ex parte decree is filed, Rent Controller stays delivery of possession - This is question that falls for consideration - From Rule 12, Rent Controller is not empowered to stay entire execution proceedings merely because of an application filed by tenant for setting aside ex parte order - Rent Controller should be satisfied that application to set aside decree is filed within 30 days from date of knowledge or decree and also he was prevents by sufficient cause - Rule 12 (3) is not mandatory inasmuch as Rent Controller shall have to stay execution proceedings merely because of filing of an application for setting aside ex parte decree - No hard and fast rule can be laid down in what cases stay would be granted as refused - Fundamental consideration that decree holder is not to be deprived of its his decree holder is not to be deprived of its decree except genuine reasons - It is well settled that discretionary power is to be exercised on sound judicial principles and not capriciously - Rent Controller not noticed previous conduct of court below committed serious error - Impugned order cannot be sustained in law - Revision petition allowed. No costs.

       Result : Revision Petition allowed.

Judgment :-

1. This Civil Revision Petition has been filed by the petitioner/land lady against the order of the learned District Munsif, Ootacamund dated 2.11.2011 made in E.A.No.223 of 2011 in E.P.No.3 of 2011 in R.C.O.P. No.17 of 2009, whereby the learned District Munsif has allowed the application filed by the respondent/tenant under Rule 12(3) of the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Rules, 1974 and recalled the warrant of possession issued in the execution proceedings.

2. For better appreciation, the impugned order dated 2.11.2011 is quoted hereinbelow:-

"On 7.1.2010 in R.C.O.P. No.17/09 set ex parte order was passed. Subsequently, the Petitioner/Land lord filed execution petition in E.P.No.3/11. On 4.7.2011 counter filed. On 9.8.2011 petitioner's side enquiry heard. On 12.8.2011 respondent's side enquiry not taken. No representation. Orders reserved by 19.8.2011. On 19.8.2011 order pronounced. Subsequently, petitioner/tenant filed set aside petition in E.P.3/11. The same was numbered as 205/11 and the case is posted for notice of hearing and counter by 17.10.2011. 17.10.2011 declared holiday. Hence, this case is reposted to 18.10.2011. On that day notice of hearing not given. No representation till 5.30p.m. Hence this E.A. is dismissed. Now the petitioner/tenant filed u/S.47 C.P.C. petition and represented that they have filed an application to set aside the ex parte order of eviction passed by this Court dated 7.1.2010and I.A.181/11 and 182/11 u/S.5 of Limitation Act and Rule 12(3) of the Tamil Nadu buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act are pending. The said applications were posted on 9.11.2011 for counter and further as per the Rule 12(3) for set aside an ex parte order and received by the Controller for the first time all execution proceedings in pursuance of the ex parte order shall be stayed until the disposed of the said applications and the said provision is mandatory. In the interest of justice this petition is allowed and recall the possession of warrant. On payment of batta".

3. The petitioner/land lady filed R.C.O.P. No.17 of 2009 under Section 10(2) of the Tamil Nadu Building's (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1960 for eviction of the respondent/tenant on the ground of willful default and also for a decree of arrears of rent.

4. In the said case, notices were issued to the respondent/tenant, but even after the service of notice, no counter affidavit was filed by the respondent/tenant in spite of the fact that the case was adjourned on several occasions. Ultimately, by order dated 22.12.2009, the case was fixed for ex parte evidence on 7.1.2010. Even on 7.1.2010, the respondent/tenant did not appear, and ultimately, the petition was decreed ex parte and an ex parte decree for eviction was passed. The petitioner/land lady then filed an execution petition being E.P.No.3 of 2011 for recovery of possession. In the said execution case, notice was issued to the respondent/ tenant through court and post, which was served on 27.1.2011. The case was adjourned on various dates for filing counter by the respondent/ tenant viz., 1.3.2011, 24.3.2011 and 31.3.2011, but no counter was filed. On 7.4.2011, on the petition filed by the respondent/tenant, the case was adjourned to 18.4.2011, and thereafter, on 26.4.2011, 28.4.2011, 7.6.2011, 13.6.2011 and 29.6.2011, but no counter was filed by the respondent /tenant. However, on 4.7.2011, a counter was filed by the respondent/tenant. Thereafter, on several dates, the case was adjourned for enquiry, but there had been no representation from the side of the respondent/tenant, and ultimately, on 19.8.2011, the executing court ordered delivery of possession of the premises by 8.9.2011. On 8.9.2011, the delivery could not be effected as the door was locked. The executing court issued fresh warrant of delivery of possession.

5. At this stage, the respondent/tenant filed a petition on 26.9.2011 purporting to have been filed under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure f






















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