JUDGMENT

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

We have heard Mr. N. Sasi, learned counsel for the peti-

tioner and Mr. Rajesh R. Kormath, learned counsel for the re-

spondent.

2. This revision is arising out of an order passed by the Rent Control Appellate Authority on 10.04.2025 in R.C.A. No.21 of 2024, which in turn arose from an order passed by the Rent Control Court, Manjeri in R.C.P. No.2 of 2024. The issue consid- ered in the appeal was whether a landlord-tenant relationship subsists between the parties, having regard to an agreement for sale executed during the continuance of such relationship. In- terestingly, the appellant has filed a suit for return of the sale consideration, which itself indicates that the petitioner is not willing to have the property conveyed in his favour under the agreement for sale. This conduct demonstrates that there was no transformation of the pre-existing landlord-tenant relation-

ship.

3. The issue with regard to the landlord and tenant was con- sidered in the earlier round of litigation in a proceeding under Section 12 of the Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act , 1965. The learned counsel for the landlord–responde