JUDGMENT Dated this the 24^th day of February, 2026 Soumen Sen , C.J.

Heard Ms. S.K. Sreelakshmi, learned counsel for the petitioner.

2. This petition is filed seeking a direction to the Rent Control Court, Payyannur to dispose of R.C.P.No.16 of 2025 as expeditiously as possible.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner placed reliance on the judgment of a coordinate Bench presided over by Mr. Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar in Prema Joy and another v. John Britto¹, wherein petitions were filed seeking out-of-turn or early disposal of the appeal. Paragraph 7 of the judgment reads as follows:

“7. If any party desires to have its heard out of turn, it shall move an application for an early or out-of-turn hearing based on any justifiable or valid reasons before the court concerned and, the Rent Control Court/Appellate authority as the case may be shall

1 2023 (4) KHC 39

dispose of such an application as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within two weeks from the date of moving such application. Brief speaking orders will have to be passed by the said courts, either allowing or rejecting the prayer for an early hearing. The courts will bear in mind that the normal rule is to go by