Permod Kohli, J.

1. Legality and validity of order dated 2.5.2007 passed by the Rent Controller, Nakodar is in question in the present Revision filed under Section 18 of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act").

The facts of the case may be briefly noticed. Bhagat Ram-respondent landlord, claiming to be an NRI residing in England for the last 40 years and now residing with his son-Ram Lal at Mohalla Arjan Nagar, Nakodar filed a petition under Section 13-B of the Act for eviction of the petitioner-tenant from the demised house. The petitioner-tenant appeared through her counsel on 28.2.2007 when the case was adjourned to 10.3.2007 for filing the reply by her. On the date fixed i.e. 10.3.2007, respondent-landlord filed an application for striking off the defence of the petitioner-tenant for want of application seeking leave to contest the petition. On the same date, the petitioner-tenant filed an application for seeking condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act and an application for leave to contest the main petition. Both the said applications were taken up for consideration by the Rent Controller. Vide the imp