PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK Vs. AJIT PRASAD & ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) No one appears for the respondents although they have been served. I have heard counsel for the appellant and after perusing the Trial Court record, am proceeding to dispose of the appeal.

(2.) The challenge by means of this Regular First Appeal under Sec. 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 is to the impugned judgment and decree of the Trial Court dated 2.4.2011 decreeing the suit of the respondents/landlords for mesne profits at Rs.67/ - per square feet.

(3.) The admitted facts are that the appellant/bank became a tenant in the suit premises being the ground floor of A -10, G.T. Road, Adarsh Nagar, Delhi -33 by means of two lease deeds dated 17.9.1998 and 15.12.1999, for a total period of 10 years, i.e. original period of 5 years and one extension of 5 years. The period of leases expired on 31.12.2007 and 30.6.2009. The parties entered into negotiations for renewal of the leases, however, nothing came out of it in spite of the appellant/bank agreeing to pay Rs.67/ - per square feet per month, and which was intimated to the respondents by the appellant vide its letter dated 6.5.2009.