HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN - JAIPUR BEN
Sudesh Bansal, J
Nirmal Kumar – Appellant
Versus
Bishandas – Respondent
S.B. Civil Second Appeal No. 117/2001
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Yogesh Pujari
For the Respondents: None Present
The need of a dependent family member, including a grandson, constitutes the bona fide requirement of the landlord under rent control legislation for the purpose of seeking eviction.
Headnote:(A) Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1950 - Section 13(1)(h) - Eviction - Bonafide necessity - Whether grandson falls within the definition of family member - Held, requirement of a member of the family or a person dependent on the landlord constitutes the requirement of the landlord - Grandson residing with and dependent on the landlord falls within the ambit of family member for eviction. (Paras 7-9)
(B) Civil Procedure Code - Section 100 - Second Appeal - Concurrent findings of fact - Scope of interference - Courts below concurrently found the need was bonafide and reasonable - Appellate court should not re-appreciate evidence to substitute findings in a second appeal unless perversity is shown. (Paras 10-12)
Facts of the case:
The landlord filed an eviction suit under the 1950 Act against the tenant on grounds of default, bona fide necessity for his grandson to start a business, and sub-letting. The trial court decreed the suit, finding the landlord's requirement for his grandson genuine and rejecting the tenant's defense regarding available alternative properties. The first appellate court affirmed the decision, specifically addressing the definition of 'family' to include the grandson.
Findings of Court:
The court held that the grandson, being dependent on the landlord and part of the joint family, satisfies the requirement criteria under the Act. Concurrent factual findings by the lower courts regarding the landlord's necessity are binding and do not involve a substantial question of law.
Issues: Whether the need of a grandson qualifies as the need of the landlord/family under Section 13(1)(h) of the Act, and whether the findings on comparative hardship and necessity warrant interference in second appeal.
Ratio Decidendi: The expression 'family' in rent control legislation must be interpreted liberally and practically; the necessity of a family member dependent on the landlord is equivalent to the landlord's personal necessity.
Result: Appeal dismissed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. summary of lower court eviction proceedings and grounds pleaded. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 2. interpretation of 'family' under rent laws; inclusive of grandchildren. (Para 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9) |
| 3. limits of re-appreciating evidence in second appeal. (Para 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14) |
| 4. final dismissal and time granted to vacate premises. (Para 15 , 16 , 17 , 18) |
1. Appellants-defendants have filed this second appeal under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, assailing judgment and decree dated 14.11.2000 passed by Additional District Judge No.4, Kota in appeal No. 20/99, affirming the judgment and decree dated 07.10.1996 passed by Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) No.1, Kota (South) in Civil Suit No. 650/89 whereby suit for rent and eviction has been decreed in favour of respondent-plaintiff.
2. The relevant facts as culled out from the record are that one shop situated at Chhawni Chauraha, Kota was in tenancy of the defendant Dr. Nirmal Kumar at the rate of Rs.140/- per month. Respondent-plaintiff-landlord instituted a civil suit for eviction against defendants on 28.10.1989, on the ground of default, bonafide and personal necessity and sub-letting invoking the provision of Section 13 of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred as "the Act of 1950). Plaintiff alleged the necessity of rented shop for his grandson- Mukesh to start the grocery business in the rented shop. Defendant tenant submitted written statement denying the default and bonafide necessity of plaintiff. Defendant took defense that plaintiff has other shops in his house and if he is desirous to start business of grocery for his grandson, the alternative shop is available with him, hence, the necessity alleged by plaintiff was denied to be bonafide and reasonable. It may be noticed that in the written statement defendant never took any defense that plaintiff's grandson- Mukesh is not family member of plaintiff and for his necessity plaintiff could not bring the eviction suit. The trial Court on the basis of rival pleadings of both parties settled issues and recorded evidence of both parties.
3. Since in the present eviction suit, apart from the ground of bonafide and reasonable necessity, the ground of default was also involved, therefore, the provisional rent was determined under Section 13 (3) of the Act of 1950. The trial Court while decided the eviction suit finally vide judgment dated 07.10.1996 observed that the defendant-tenant has paid provisional determined rent and has not committed any further default, hence, the defendant was declared as defaulter but benefit of first default was extended under Section 13 (6) of the Act of 1950. The trial Court while decided the issue of bonafide necessity, evaluate the evidence of both parties. From the plaintiff's evidence, it came on record that plaintiff's grandson- Mukesh has attained the age of 23 years and he is unemployed and wants to start a business of general store. Plaintiff also adduced evidence that no other vacant alternative shop is available to be used for business of his grandson. Defense of the defendant, that the grandson of plaintiff is already partner in Chawla Brothers or Anand Industries, was not found proved. Another defense of the defendant that plaintiff has other vacant shops in his possession was also not found proved. Thus, on appreciation of respective evidence of both parties, the trial Court decided the issue of bonafide and reasonable necessity in favour of plaintiff-landlord. The connected issues of comparative hardship and partial eviction were also considered and it was observed by the trial Court that the plaintiff would suffer comparative hardship in case of not allowing the eviction. Further it was observed that rented shop is one shop and its partition is not possible, hence, the partial eviction would not be possible nor would fulfill the need of plaintiff. Accordingly, both the issues were also decided