Sailash Chandra Ganguly v. District Judge Allahabad
1998-05-25
S.N.AGGARWAL
body1998
DigiLaw.ai
Judgment Sudhir Narain, J. 1. The petitioner seeks writ of certiorari quashing the order dated 10th September, 1997 passed by the Rent Control and Eviction Officer, declaring the vacancy of premises in dispute, and the order dated 16- 2-1998 releasing the premises in dispute and order dated 4-5-1998 passed by the Revisional Court dismissing the revision against the aforesaid order. 2. The facts of the case in brief are that the landlord-Respondents 3 and 4 purchased the premises No. 389-112, Tula Ram Bagh, Allahabad from the previous owner Sri R.V. Dawson. The landlords filed application for release of the disputed premises under Section 16(l)(b) of U.P. Urban Buildings (Regulation of Let ting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972 (in short referred to as the Act) on the allegations that the petitioner was given accommodation in question for a period of two months as the petitioner was having dire need of accommodation and he was having close relation to the family of landlords. The petitioner had not obtained any allotment order in his favour. Though the accommodation in question were covered under the provisions of the Act it was alleged that the application was filed under Section 16(l)(b) of the Act on the ground that the landlords required the premises for personal need, viz., a residential purpose as they were residing in small portion of building No. 12, Madhwapur, Allahabad which was owned by one Shri T.K. Ghosh. The petitioner submitted that the petitioner was let out the premises in question on monthly rent of Rs. 500 per month, by filing his objection. It was also stated that the landlords wanted to enhance the rent and at that time, it was not disclosed that the premises in question does come under the Act. It was denied that the landlords need was bond fide. The Rent Control Inspector submitted a report. The Rent Control and Eviction Officer passed an order on 19-2-1997 directing the parties to lead evidence on the question as to whether the accommodation in question was covered by the Act and whether the accommodation may be deemed as vacant. The landlords filed quinquennial assessment for the year 1955-60, 1960-65 and 1989-97 which indicated that the house in question was assessed in these years. The tenant- petitioner did not lead any evidence to show that house was not covered by the Act.
The landlords filed quinquennial assessment for the year 1955-60, 1960-65 and 1989-97 which indicated that the house in question was assessed in these years. The tenant- petitioner did not lead any evidence to show that house was not covered by the Act. The Rent Control and Eviction Officer vide order dated 10-9-1997 declared the accommodation in question as vacant. He further after considering the need of the landlords released the accommodation in question vide order dated 26-2-1998 holding that landlords need was bona fide and genuine for the house in question. The petitioner filed revision against these orders and Respondent No. 1 has dismissed the revision vide order dated 4-5-1998. These orders have been challenged in this Writ Petition. 3. I have heard Shri Rajesh Tandon, learned Counsel for the petitioner. 4. The learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the accommodation in question was wrongly declared as vacant. It was burden of proof on the landlords to establish that the accommodation in question was covered by the Act. As noted above, the Rent Control and Eviction Officer permitted the parties to lead the evidence on the question as to whether the house in question was covered by the provisions of the Act. The landlords submitted the quinquennial assessment for the years 1955-60, 1960-65 and 1989-97, which indicate that the house in question was assessed. It was thus established that the accommodation in question was constructed prior to year 1972. The petitioner did not lead any evidence contrary to it. The petitioner was in occupation of the accommodation did not lead any evidence contrary to it. The petitioner was in occupation of the accommodation in question without any allotment. His possession was unauthorised as provided under Section 13 of the Act and also as held by Full Bench of this Court in Nootan Kumar and Others v. IInd Addl. District Judge, Banda and Others, 1993 (22) ALR 437. The learned Counsel for the petitioner then submitted that the need of landlord was not bona fide. Firstly, it is a question of fact. On perusal of the impugned orders, I do not find any infirmity in the orders. Secondly, the prospective allottee, a person being unauthorised occupant cannot raise any objection to the bona fide need of the landlords after the accommodation is declared as vacant. 5. Accordingly, there is no merit in this Writ Petition and it is accordingly dismissed.
On perusal of the impugned orders, I do not find any infirmity in the orders. Secondly, the prospective allottee, a person being unauthorised occupant cannot raise any objection to the bona fide need of the landlords after the accommodation is declared as vacant. 5. Accordingly, there is no merit in this Writ Petition and it is accordingly dismissed. 6. In the last the learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that some time may be granted to the petitioner to vacate the accommodation. Considering, the fact and circumstances of the case the petitioner is granted three months time to vacate the accommodation in question provided the petitioner gives a written undertaking on oath/affidavit within ten days from today that he will vacate the disputed accommodation within the time granted by this Court and give its peaceful possession to the landlords- respondents. Petition dismissed.