DHAN RAJ JAYANA Vs. S P SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The main question for decision in this second appeal under Section 39 of the Delhi Rent Control Act. 1958 (hereinafter called the Act) is whether the respondent tenant complied with the order of the Controller passed under Section 15 of the Act to obtain the benefit of Section 14 (2) of the Act. But in answering this question, various other provisions of the Act. e.g.. Sections 2 (k), 4 to 9, 12 and 13, and Sections 59 to 60 and 72 of the Contract Act have also to be considered.

(2.) The premises of the appellant landlord were let to the respondent tenant from 1-7-1944. In a suit for eviction of the tenant on the ground of non-payment of arrears of rent filed by the landlord under the provisions of the Delhi and Ajmer Rent Control Act. 1952 the standard rent of the premises was fixed by Shri J. L. Tandon, Subordinate Judge at Rs. 717-75 including house-tax. The appeal against this decision was dismissed by the High Court on 19-3-1964. During the pendency of the appeal, the Delhi Rent Control Act 1958 came into force from 9th February. 1959. According to the definition of 'standard rent' S. 6 (1) (B) (2) (a) (ii) of the Act. the standard rent of the premises meant the standard rent fixed under the Delhi and Ajmer Rent Control Act, 1952 together with 15 per cent of such rent The landlord gave a notice to the tenant informing him that the rent from 1st May, 1959 would be Rs. 825-42. The tenant asked the landlord for clarification whether he was renewing the tenancy at the enhanced rent and was giving up the claim for eviction. The landlord did not give up the claim for eviction and the tenant did not admit the claim of the landlord for the enhanced standard rent. The judgment of the High Court directed the tenant to pay arrears of rent within one month. In default of such payment, the tenant was liable to be evicted.

(3.) The question which faced the tenant was at which rate was he to pay the rent arrears. On the one hand. the standard rent fixed by Shri Tandon and confirmed by the High Court was Rupees 717.75. On the other hand the standard rent demanded by the landlord from 1st May, 1959 under Section 6 (1) (B) (2) (a) (ii) of the Act was Rs. 825.42. While the tenant wanted to pay the arrears of rent only at the lower rate of rent, namely, Rs. 717.75. he did not want to take the risk of being evicted if he was in law liable to pay the enhanced standard rent of Rs 825.42 under Section 6 (1) (B) (2) (a) (ii) of the Act. He, therefore, deposited the arrears of rent as follows: