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2008 Supreme(All) 2830

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
V.K.Shukla
BRIJ BHUSHAN MISHRA
Versus
SURITA SARBABDHIKARI
Decided On : 12 December 2008
C. M. W. P. No. 68572 of 2005

Advocates:
Krishna Ji Khare,

The validity of the notice of demand and the requirements for a suit for eviction based on arrears of rent, construction without permission, and denial of the landlord's title under U.P. Act No. 13 of 1972.

Headnote:

Eviction - U.P. Act No. 13 of 1972 - Section 20(2)(a) - Section 20(2)(c) - Section 20(2)(f) - Section 20(4)

Fact of the Case:

The tenant filed a writ petition challenging the decision decreeing the suit for eviction. The tenant argued that the suit was not maintainable as he was not in arrears of rent at the time of its institution and that the notice of demand was invalid. The landlord contended that the suit was valid as the tenant had failed to pay arrears of rent and had made construction without permission, and had denied the landlord's title.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the notice of demand was invalid as the tenant was not in arrears of rent for four months at the time of the notice. The court also found that the construction made by the tenant did not diminish the value of the property and that the tenant had not denied the landlord's title. The court allowed the writ petitions and set aside the decree for eviction.

Issues: Validity of the notice of demand, validity of the suit for eviction, and the tenant's denial of the landlord's title.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that for a suit for eviction based on arrears of rent, the tenant must be in arrears for four months and fail to pay within one month of the notice of demand. The court also held that the denial of the landlord's title must be explicit and that any construction must diminish the value of the property. The court found that the notice of demand was invalid and that the tenant had not denied the landlord's title.

Final Decision: The writ petitions were allowed, the decree for eviction was set aside, and the execution proceedings were deemed of no consequence. The court also ordered the tenant to pay enhanced rent from a specified date.

V. K. SHUKLA, J.

This is tenants writ petition questioning the validity of the decision dated 7. 9. 2004 passed by the Judge Small Causes, Allahabad in SCC Suit No. 139 of 1999 decreeing the suit for eviction and order of its affirmance in J. S. C. C. Revision No 685 of 2004 passed by the Additional District Judge, Court No. VIII, Allahabad.

2. In Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 49844 of 2008 tenant has questioned the validity of the order dated 17. 9. 2008 wherein application for staying the execution of the decree has been rejected as being not maintainable.

3. Brief background of the case is that late Brij Bhushan Mishra has been tenant of the ground floor of House No. 257/127, Mohatsimganj, Allahabad. Original landlord of the said premises in question was Yogendra Kumar Vasnney and said Yogendra Kumar Vashney sold the house in question to one Harish Mathur who had filed release application under section 21 (1) (a) of U. P. Act No. 13 of 1972. During continuance of the aforementioned proceedings, property in question including property in tenancy of the petitioner was sold by erstwhile landlord vide registered sale deed dated 18. 6. 1999, in favour of Smt. Sunta Sarbadhikari and Smt. Gauri Sarbadikari who were also co-existing tenant in whose favour said sale deed in question has been registered. In the proceedings under section 21 (1) (a) of U. P. Act No. 13 of 1972, which were on going, the other tenant who subsequently become landlord was also party and therein statement was made that property in question has been sold and in this regard proceeding in question were dropped. New landlords who were earlier tenant on the basis of the said sale deed on 31. 7. 1999, sent notice to petitioner informing and intimating that house in question has been purchased. Thereafter on 26. 10. 1999 notice was sent determining tenancy and to the said notice, reply was sent on 4. 11. 999 by tenant. In paragraph 6 of the reply, it was categorically mentioned that rent uptil September, 1999 has already been deposited in Misc. Case No. 76 of 1988 and further in the event copy of the sale deed was sent w. e. f. October, 1999 rent shall be payable to the landlord. Thereafter, J. S. C. C. Suit No. 139 of 1999 had been filed on the ground that petitioner has been in arrears of rent. On filing of aforementioned suit, petitioner filed his written statement and also proceeded to comply with the provision as contained under section 20 (4) of U. P. Act No. 13 of 1972 by depositing the amount provided for under the aforementioned provision. However, it was mentioned by him that in case plaintiff proves their title, qua premises in question, in spite of the fact that rent has been paid in Misc. Case No. 24 of 1988, even then said amount, tenant is prepared to pay. In the said proceeding so undertaken, amendment was also introduced by the landlord contending therein that deposit in question was conditional deposit, as such benefit of section 20 (4) of U. P. Act No. 13 of 1972 cannot be accorded. In the said suit, Prescribed Authority on the basis of material which was adduced, framed three issues (i) as to whether tenant was liable to be evicted on the basis of being arrears of rent (ii) as to whether by making construction tenant has diminished the value of property in question (iii) Tenant, having denied the title is liable to be evicted on the said ground. During this period property in question has been sold to Ashwani Kumar Verma and Anil Kumar Verma. Trial Court has recorded categorical finding on issue No. 1 that deposit under section 20 (4) of LJ. P. Act No. 13 of 1972 was conditional one and as such benefit of section 20 (4) of U. P. Act No. 13 of 1972 shall not be accorded. On issue No. 2 also it has been mentioned that suit was liable to be decreed. On issue No. 3 also finding was given in favour of the landlord. Against the said order revision in question had been filed and Revisional Court qua issue No. 1 affirmed the said finding. At this junct










































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