THERUVATH VITTIL MUHAMMADUNNY Vs. MELEPURAKKAL UNNIRI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal originally came on before Horwill, J., who considered it desirable that it should be heard by a Division Bench in view of the conflict between decisions of this Court.

(2.) The appeal is against an order of the Subordinate Judge of Ottapalam remanding a suit to the District Munsiff of Chowghat for disposal on the merits. The suit was filed by the first respondent for eviction of the appellant (first defendant) from a building that had been leased to him by the first respondent's predecessor in 1936. There were also prayers for arrears of rent and for recovery of damages in respect of an annexe to the building constructed by the first respondent. The appellant deposited into Court the entire arrears of rent and interest claimed in the suit, and therefore that part of the plaintiff's claim was satisfied. Following the decision in Mahmood V/s. Kerala Corporation Ltd. the District Munsiff held that the suit, so far as it related to eviction, was not maintainable, because of the provisions of the Madras Non- Residential Buildings Rent Control Order, 1942, hereinafter referred to as the Rent Control Order. On appeal, the learned Subordinate Judge, following certain decisions of this Court subsequent to Mahmood V/s. Kerala Corporation Ltd. held that the suit was maintainable and passed an order of remand as mentioned above.

(3.) The relevant provision of the Rent Control Order is Clause 8, the material portions of which are as follows: (i) A tenant in possession of a non-residential building shall not be evicted therefrom, whether in execution of a decree, or otherwise and whether before or after the termination of the tenancy, except in accordance with the provisions of this clause. (2) A landlord wishing to evict a tenant in possession shall apply to the Controller for a direction in that behalf. The Controller shall make an order of eviction only if he is satisfied that one or other of the conditions mentioned is satisfied. These conditions briefly are, non- payment of rent, absence of readiness and willingness to pay a fair rent in future, sub-letting except under certain circumstances and user of the building for a purpose other than that for which it was leased, and absence of occupation of the building for a continuous period of four months without reasonable cause. Then follow provisions for execution of an order for eviction passed by the Controller.