2007 Supreme(P&H) 864
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT
Vinod K. Sharma, J.
J.S. Khorana - Petitioner
Versus
Smt. Rajesh Chaudhary - Respondent
Civil Revision No. 3031 of 2004.
Decided On : 17 April, 2007
Important Points
Subject
Property Law - Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Headnote
Eviction - Personal Bonafide Need - East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 - Section 13 - Section 14(1)(e)
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, owner and landlord of a property, filed for eviction of the respondent-tenant on the ground of personal bonafide need, citing the need to shift his business and family from Jammu to Chandigarh due to disturbed conditions in Jammu & Kashmir.
Finding of the Court:
The Rent Controller allowed the eviction, finding the landlord's need to be bonafide, considering the disturbed conditions in Jammu & Kashmir. However, the Appellate Authority dismissed the eviction petition, concluding that the need was a mere desire and lacked an element of must-have. The subsequent death of the petitioner's son was also considered, and the need was deemed not genuine or bonafide.
Issues: The main issue was whether the landlord's need for eviction was bonafide or a mere desire, especially in light of the subsequent death of the petitioner's son.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court emphasized that the landlord is the best judge of his residential requirement and that the need should be seen from his perspective. It also highlighted that the Rent Act provides protection to the tenant if the landlord fails to shift to the building for which eviction was sought for personal use and occupation.
Final Decision: The revision petition was allowed, the Appellate Authority's decision was set aside, and the Rent Controller's decision allowing the eviction was restored.
For the Petitioner:Mr. M.L. Sarin, Sr. Advocate with Ms. Hemani Sarin, Advocate.
For the Respondent:Mr. Arun Palli, Advocate.
Vinod K. Sharma, J. - The petitioner is owner and landlord of House No. 289, Sector 10, Chandigarh, which has two portions, one is known as Northern Collage, which is situated on the right side of the plot and another is on the Western Collage which is situated on the left side of the plot. The premises known as Northern Collage is towards House No. 290, Sector 10, Chandigarh and is in possession of respondent at a monthly rent of Rs. 250/-. The family of the petitioner consists of himself, two sons and two married daughters. The sons of the petitioners are running their business at Jammu. One of the sons of the petitioner Shri H.S. Khorana is dealing in selling of furniture and furnishing accessories etc. at Jammu. It was claimed that in view of the present circumstances in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, the son of the petitioner wanted to shift the entire business along with his family to Chandigarh. It was further claimed that he was maintaining his links in Punjab and Haryana and even otherwise because of the adequate education and medical facilities at Chandigarh, the son of the petitioner wanted to shift to Chandigarh. His one daughter is married and the other daughter, who is aged 19 years, was studying in B.A. and one son was studying in 6th class. His brother along with his family were said to be settled in other house and was having good business around Chandigarh. It was also claimed that once the business was established/settled, the entire family was going to shift to Chandigarh slowly. The petitioner and his family members have no other house in their possession as owner within the urban area of Chandigarh. The petition was, therefore, filed for eviction of the respondent-tenant on the ground of personal bonafide need. It was also claimed that the petitioners son has already opened an office for starting his business from portion of House No. 35, Sector 5, Chandigarh. It was also mentioned in the petition that earlier a petition under Section 13 of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 (for short the Act) was filed by the petitioner on the ground of personal necessity, but the said petition was dismissed for non-production of medical evidence. It was further claimed that the present requirement of the petitioner was subsequent and recent and that too on account of requirement of his son. It was alleged in the petition that the respondent never paid the rent in time and was said to be in arrears of rent from 1.1.1987 to 31.5.1988. It was further claimed that the rent was paid in Court only for 12 months and therefore, the tenant was liable to be evicted on this ground also.
2. It was also pleaded that the petitioner has not vacated any residential premises without sufficient cause after commencement of the Rent Act and does not own any residential house in Chandigarh. It would be relevant to reproduce the pleadings qua personal necessity which read as under :-
"5. That keeping in view the present circumstances in Jammu & Kashmir the son of the petitioner wants to shift the entire business along with family to Chandigarh. He is already maintaining his business contacts in Punjab and Chandigarh, even otherwise because of the good education and medical facilities at Chandigarh the son of the petitioner wants to shift to Chandigarh along with his business. The son of the petitioner is having one married daughter, one daughter aged 19 years studying in B.A. and one son who is school going and is studying in 6th class. The brother and his family in other house is settled, who is already having good business around Chandigarh, then the entire family is going to shift slowly, so that the business is not affected immediately. The petitioner and his family members i.e. sons etc. have no other house in possession as owner or otherwise within the urban read of Chandigarh, therefore, the petitioner requires the present premises for their personal use and occupation for immediately shifting the residence and