LAWS(SC)-1996-8-193

GYABIRAM Vs. R GANGADHARAN

Decided On August 01, 1996
Gyabiram Appellant
V/S
R Gangadharan Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant became owner of the premises while he was occupying it unauthorisedly. There is a protracted litigation between the parties. Suffice it to say that while the matter was pending in second appeal in the Karnataka High Court, the appellant withdrew the appeal with a permission to initiate proceedings before the appropriate court to take benefit of S. 31-B and 31-C of the Karnataka Rent Control Act, 1961 as amended by the Amendment Act, 67 of 1976. It is thus obvious that the appellant gave up all the points which were pending before the High court in the second appeal and wanted to agitate only the question of law arising out of the amendment. It would be useful to reproduce the provisions of Section 31-B:

(2.) On the plain language of the section the appellant cannot take benefit of the said provisions. It is obvious that on the date of occupation as well as on the date of declaration, the occupant must either be a landlord or the tenant. It is an admitted case that on the date of occupation, the appellant was neither the landlord nor the tenant. In this view of the matter, amended provisions of the Act are not applicable to the case of the appellant. We see no ground to interfere with the conclusions reached by the High court. The appeal is dismissed. No costs.