R AUDISESHAIAH Vs. S M MALLIKARJUNA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The first respondent filed R.C.C. No.2/86 under A.P. Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Act on the file of the Principal District Munsifcum Rent Controller, Tirupathi against the petitioner and respondents 2 and 3 for eviction on four grounds. His case is that he had purchased the property from one, Adilakshmamma. Respondents 2 and 3 are the legal representatives of one, B. Balarami Reddy, who was the tenant of the premises. The petitioner is alleged to be the sub-tenant of the premises. The petition for eviction is filed on four grounds:-

(2.) The learned Rent Controller, after an enquiry, accepted the first three grounds, but rejected the contention of the Landlord that the tenants have committed acts of waste and ordered eviction of respondents 2 and 3 and the petitioner. Against that, an appeal in C.M.A. No.8/1989 was preferred before the appellate authority who is the Principal Subordinate Judge, Tirupathi. The learned Principal Subordinate Judge concurred with the findings of the learned Rent Controller and dismissed the appeal. Against that, this revision petition is filed.

(3.) The main contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that a suit O5. No.448/72 was filed by the predecessor in title i.e., Adilakshmamma for eviction against B. Balrami Reddy and the petitioner and that suit was dismissed holding that the Civil Court has no jurisdiction and it has to be filed before the Rent Controller. As against that, an appeal was preferred. During the pendency of the appeal the purchaser of the property who is the first respondent came on record. That appeal was allowed observing that proceedings may be taken under the Rent Control Legislation. His contention is that subsequently there was a change of law because Section 32(b) of the Rent Control Act was struck down. But, by the date when the petition was filed before the Rent Controller in the year 1986, the Rent Controller had jurisdiction. The petitioner who is one of the respondents therein did not question the jurisdiction of the Rent Controller in the counter filed by him. The Rent Controller and the appellate authority held that the respondents before them are liable to be evicted on the grounds stated above. Since the petitioner had not taken any contention before the Rent Controller or the appellate authority that the Rent Controller has no jurisdiction to enquire into the matter, I am unable to agree with the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner can raise that contention in this revision. Both the courts below have given concurrent finding of fact on the three grounds and ordered eviction of the tenants and the sub-tenant i.e., the petitioner. Therefore, there is no error of jurisdiction and no grounds for interference.