Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 26642 Bom
Judgement Date : 25 October, 2024
2024:BHC-AS:42796
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO.4788 OF 1998
Shaikh Mohmad Rafiq Abdul Rehman ....
Petitioner
(since deceased) by his LRs and representatives
1A) Smt. Sakina B. Mohmad Rafiq Shaikh
(since deceased through Lrs. being
Petitioner Nos.1B and 1C
1B) Habib Shaikh Mohmad Rafiq
Age 52 years, Occ. Auto Rikshaw Driver
1C) Jameel Ahmed Mahmad Rafiq
Age 47 years, Occ. Tempo Driver
Petitioner Nos.1A to 1C above all
R/at 104, Somwar Peth, Pune 411 011.
V/S
Keshav Ramchandra Jadhav
(since deceased) by his legal heirs and
representatives
1-A Smt. Ujwala Keshav Jadhav
Age 60 years, Occ. Household
1-B Sou. Namita Keshav Jadhav
Age 27 years, Occ. Household
1-C Sou. Mughadha Keshav Jadhav
Age 24 years, Occ. Household
All the Respondents are residing at:
B-12, Flat No.10, Meera Nagar Terrace
Koregaon Park, Pune 411 001. ....Respondents
_________
katkam Page No. 1 of 18
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Mr. Sanjeev J. Rairkar for the Petitioners.
Mr. R.D. Soni i/b M/s. Ram & Co. for Respondent Nos.1 to 3.
__________
CORAM : SANDEEP V. MARNE, J.
RESERVED ON : 18 OCTOBER 2024.
PRONOUNCED ON : 25 OCTOBER 2024.
JUDGMENT
1. Petitioner-Tenant has filed this Petition challenging judgment and decree dated 6 July 1998 passed by the 8 th Additional District Judge, Pune, allowing Civil Appeal No.438 of 1992 and setting aside the decree passed by Small Causes Court in Suit No.791 of 1986 on 14 August 1992. The Appellate Court has allowed Plaintiff's suit and has directed Petitioner-Defendant to handover vacant possession of the suit premises.
2. Plaintiff/Respondent is the owner of House No.104, Somwar Peth, Pune - 411 011. One room admeasuring 9' x 9' situate in the said House No.104 are the 'suit premises' in which Defendant was inducted as a monthly tenant at the rate of Rs.13/- plus education cess of 90 paise. The suit premises were let out for residential purposes. According to Plaintiff, Defendant unlawfully converted the premises for business purposes as Defendant's son started using the premises for doing repair works of motorcycles and other vehicles. Plaintiff also alleged construction of permanent structure at the suit premises.
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3. Accordingly, Plaintiff filed Small Cause Suit No.791 of 1986 in Small Causes Court, Pune seeking recovery of possession of suit premises from the Defendant on the grounds of putting up permanent structure without his consent, change of user, nuisance and annoyance as well as bonafide requirement. The suit was resisted by the Defendant by filing Written Statement contending that the erstwhile landlord had let out only open space to the Plaintiff/Respondent, who constructed the structure at his own expenditure after securing permission from the Municipal Corporation. Defendant/Petitioner therefore denied ownership of Plaintiff in respect of the constructed structure. Defendant denied putting up any unauthorized permanent structure at the suit premises and contended that his son does not conduct any business of motorcycle repairs. Defendant further pleaded that Plaintiff had constructed house for himself at House No.433/13, Somwar Peth, Saraswat Colony and therefore was not in need of the suit premises.
4. Based on the pleadings filed by the parties, Trial Court framed issues about erecting permanent structure in the suit premises and bonafide requirement of landlord. Though allegations of change of user, nuisance and annoyance were also levelled in the plaint, it appears that no issues were framed with regard to the grounds of change of user and nuisance/annoyance. Both parties led evidence in support of their respective claims. After considering the pleadings, documentary and oral evidence, the Small Causes
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Court proceeded to dismiss the suit by decree dated 14 August 1992. The Small Causes Court held that the construction carried out by the Defendant was in accordance with sanctioned plan by Municipal Corporation bearing thumb impression of the erstwhile owner. It was therefore held that the construction was carried out with the consent of the erstwhile landlady. The Trial Court also rejected the case of bonafide requirement holding that possession of one room by the Plaintiff admeasuring 8 feet x 8 feet for residence of himself, his wife and two daughters was sufficient. The Trial Court also observed that Plaintiff had sufficient accommodation and accordingly rejected the ground of bonafide requirement. This is how the suit came to be dismissed by judgment and decree dated 14 August 1992.
5. Plaintiff/Respondent filed Civil Appeal No.438 of 1992 challenging the decree of the Trial Court dated 14 August 1992. The Defendant/Petitioner filed cross-objections to the limited extent of denial of costs to him in the suit. The Appellate Court framed the points of (i) erecting permanent structure, (ii) creation of nuisance by operation of garage. It appears that the ground of bonafide requirement was not argued before the Appellate Court and therefore the said point was omitted from consideration by the Appellate Court. After hearing both the sides, the Appellate Court accepted the ground of erecting permanent structure on the suit premises without the consent of the Plaintiff/Respondent. The Appellate Court also accepted the ground of cause of nuisance by
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the acts of Defendant/Petitioner running a garage. The Appellate Court accordingly allowed Plaintiff's Appeal and set aside the decree dated 14 August 1992. The Appellate Court directed delivery of possession of suit premises to the Plaintiff. Cross- objections filed by the Defendant-tenant were dismissed. Decree of the Appellate Court dated 6 July 1998 is under challenge by the Petition filed at the instance of the Defendant-tenant. By order dated 14 June 1999, this Court admitted the Petition and stayed the order of the Appellate Court. This is how Petitioner-tenant continues to be in possession of the suit premises. Petition is called out for final hearing.
6. Mr. Rairkar, the learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner-
Defendant-Tenant would submit that the Appellate Court has erred
in reversing the decree passed by the Trial Court. That the Trial
Court had rightly dismissed Plaintiff's suit by rejecting all the
grounds raised by Plaintiff for seeking eviction of Defendant-
Tenant. He would submit that Plaintiff's suit was barred on
principle of res judicata on account of withdrawal of earlier Suit
No.2055 of 1978, which was also filed seeking recovery of
possession of the suit premises on the basis of the same
construction. Relying on judgment of the Apex Court in Mayandi
vs. Pandarachamy and another1, he would submit that the
Plaintiff was barred from filing a fresh suit on same cause of action.
1 (2021) 20 SCC 585 k 6/18 17_wp_4788.98_J_as.doc
7. Mr. Rairkar had relied on provisions of Articles 66 and 67 of the Limitation Act in support of his contention that the ground with regard to erection of permanent structure is otherwise barred by limitation. He would submit that construction has been put up in the year 1960 and accordingly the suit filed by Plaintiff in the year 1986 was clearly barred by limitation.
8. Without prejudice to the objection of res judicata Mr. Rairkar would submit that the Defendant has not carried out any unlawful construction in the suit premises. That whatever construction that is carried out is after securing due permission from the Municipal Corporation after the erstwhile landlady gave permission for such construction. He would invite my attention to the development permission issued by Pune Municipal Corporation on 30 December 1960 together with the plan for construction which bears thumb impression of the erstwhile landlady. That the Trial Court had correctly rejected the ground of unlawful additions after noticing grant of permission for putting up construction by the Defendant with the consent of the erstwhile landlady. He would therefore submit that the Appellate Court has completely misdirected itself in accepting the ground of putting up permanent construction without the consent of the landlord under section 13(1)(b) of the Bombay Rents, Hotel and Lodging House Rates Control Act, 1947 (Bombay Rent Act).
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9. So far as the ground of nuisance and annoyance is concerned, he would submit that the said issue was not even framed by the Trial Court. However instead of pressing the technical objection Mr. Rairkar would submit that no evidence was produced in support of the alleged ground of nuisance or annoyance. That no neighboring tenant or occupier was examined in support of allegation of nuisance or annoyance. That the ground of nuisance is erroneously accepted by the Appellate Court only on the basis of photographs produced by Photographer. That no witness has deposed that Plaintiff's son was carried out the business of motorcycle repairs in the suit premises. That therefore in absence of any evidence on record, the Appellate Court has erred in accepting the ground of nuisance and annoyance. That the finding of change of user is erroneously recorded in absence of any issue either before Trial or Appellate Court. In support of his contentions Mr. Rairkar has relied upon following judgments:
i) Parvati Kevalram Moorjani vs. Madanlal Anraj Porwal and others, 1987 SCC OnLine Bom 158;
ii) A.S. Sulochana vs. C. Dharmalingam, (1987) 1 SCC 180;
iii) B. Kandasamy Reddiar vs. O. Gomathi Ammal, (1998) 7 SCC 138;
iv) J.J. Lal Pvt. Ltd. and others vs. M.R. Murali and another, (2002) 3 SCC 98;
v) Bachhaj Nahar vs. Nilima vs. Nilima Mandal and another, (2008) 17 SCC 491;
vi) Shakuntala S. Tiwari (Smt.) vs. Hem Chand M. Singhania, (1987) 3 SCC 211;
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vii) M.J. Exporters Private Limited vs. Union of India and
others, (2021) 13 SCC 543.
10. The Petition is opposed by Mr. Soni, the learned counsel appearing for Respondent-Plaintiff. He would submit that the finding recorded by the Appellate Court after appreciating the evidence on record, do not warrant interference by this Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction. He would submit that the Appellate Court has rightly decreed the suit after arriving at the conclusion that the Defendant committed multiple breaches of terms of tenancy by erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent as well as causing nuisance and annoyance by converting residential premises into garage for repair of motorcycles. Mr. Soni would submit that the objection of res judicata is clearly misplaced in that the earlier suit was not decided on merits. Even otherwise according to Mr. Soni, the earlier suit was not in respect of same construction. He would further submit that the objection of res judicata is otherwise not applicable to Rent Act suits as landlord is entitled to file multiple suits against the tenant on different causes of action. Even otherwise, the ground of change of user was not raised in the earlier suit. Mr. Soni would submit that the Appellate Court has analyzed the evidence on record for recording a finding of fact that permanent structure has been erected by the Defendant-tenant after commencement of tenancy. That section 13(1)(b) of the Bombay Rent Act requires landlord's consent in writing for erecting any permanent structure and in the present case, there is no such consent produced by the Defendant. That
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alleged thumb impression of the erstwhile landlady on the plan sanctioned by the Municipal Corporation otherwise does not amounting to written consent of the landlord for erecting any permanent structure. Mr. Soni would accordingly submit that conversion of residential premises into commercial one by operating garage by Defendant's son is conclusively proved by examining the Photographer. That photographs produced on record undoubtedly proves operation of garage in the suit premises. Mr. Soni would therefore submit that no interference is warranted in finding of fact recorded by the Appellate Court after appreciating the evidence on record. He would pray for dismissal of the Petition.
11. Rival contentions of parties now fall for my consideration.
12. Plaintiff's Suit No.791 of 1986 for eviction of Defendant- tenant was premised on four grounds of (i) erecting permanent structure without his consent, (ii) bonafide requirement, (iii) change of user, and (iv) nuisance and annoyance on account of operation of garage in the suit premises. The Trial Court initially dismissed the suit and the Appellate Court has allowed the Petition and has decreed the suit essentially on two grounds of (i) erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent, and (ii) nuisance. While answering the issue of nuisance, the Appellate Court has also recorded finding of change of user. Thus, the ground of nuisance is accepted essentially by upholding the allegation of operation of motorcycle repairing garage.
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13. So far as the first ground of erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent is concerned, Plaintiff's pleaded case in this regard is to be found in paragraph 4 of the Plaint, which reads thus:
"4. The defendant has, without the plaintiff's consent given in writing, erected permanent structure on the premises. He has constructed one shed and an otta admeasuring about 8' x 4', in front of the suit premises. The defendant has also made a permanent construction of kitchen platform and a loft. The defendant has demolished the southern wall of the suit premises and has fixed a wooden shelf there. The Western wall of the suit premises was two feet thick, the defendant has reduced the thickness of the said wall to barely six inches and has raised as wooden rack for storage therein. He has also raised partition in the suit premises."
14. It appears that Plaintiff had previously instituted Suit No. 2055 of 1978 in the Small Causes Court for eviction of the Defendant, in which the ground of putting up permanent structure was also included. In paragraph 4 of the plaint filed in Suit No.2055 of 1978 Plaintiff had pleaded as under:
^4½ izfroknhus nkO;krhy tkxsr oknh o R;kP;k e;r pqyR;kzP;k ijokuxh f'ok; dk;e Lo:ikps cka/kdke] QsjQkj dsys- [kksyhP;k iq<s vksVk cka/kyk o vfrdze.k dsys- [kksyhr ikVhZ'ku r;kj dsys- Lo;aikdkP;k tkxstoG fHkar cka/kyh nf{k.ksdMhy ekrhph fHkar ikMwu rsFks ykdMh QMrkG clfoys- "
15. Comparison of the averments made in paragraph 4 previously filed Suit No.2055 of 1978 and subsequently filed Suit No.791 of 1986 would indicate similarity in the constructions. Thus both suits essentially contained allegation of construction of an otta (platform)
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infront of the suit premises, construction of partition wall in the suit premises and demolition of wall and construction of wooden shelf. In the subsequently filed Suit No.791 of 1986 some additional allegations of construction of kitchen platform and loft as well as demolition of southern wall and thickness of the wall on the western side are also included which were apparently absent in the previously filed suit. Previous Suit No.2055 of 1978 was filed between same parties. Plaintiff chose to withdraw Suit No.2055 of 1978 and the same was allowed to be withdrawn and disposed of by order dated 16 June 1982. The issue is whether Plaintiff can be permitted to institute a fresh suit in respect of the same construction? The answer to my mind appears to be in the negative. Since Plaintiff has withdrawn the previous suit without seeking liberty to file fresh suit, he cannot file a fresh suit on same cause of action of erecting permanent structure. Plaintiff did not seek liberty to file a fresh suit under provisions of Order 23, Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Therefore Plaintiff is debarred from instituting the fresh suit on the same ground of erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent.
16. It is not the case of Plaintiff that after withdrawal of the Suit on 16 June 1982, the Defendant put up any structure in the suit premises. There is no such pleading in the plaint. Therefore, minor variation in description of the construction in the two plaints could not enure to the benefit of the Plaintiff in absence of specific allegation that Defendant put up any construction after 16 June
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1982. In my view therefore, the ground of erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent was clearly barred by res judicata on account of withdrawal of Suit No.2055 of 1978 on 16 August 1982. By withdrawing the said Suit, Plaintiff accepted the position that he did not have right to recover possession of the suit premises on the ground of erecting permanent structure. It is not that the said Suit was immediately withdrawn after its filing. The Suit remained pending for 4 years from 1978 till its withdrawal on 16 August 1982. The Defendant had filed Written Statement in the said Suit and the Suit was withdrawn possibly after noticing grant of permission both by Municipal Corporation as well as by the erstwhile owner for the alleged construction.
17. Even if the ground of res judicata was to be ignored, I do not find sufficient material on record for inferring erecting of any additional construction by the Defendant-tenant. Defendant-tenant pleaded a specific case that the erstwhile landlady had let out only open space on which the Defendant-tenant had carried out construction of tin structure at his own expenses. The contention appears to be well supported by development permission granted by Municipal Corporation on 30 December 1960 in favour of the Defendant-tenant. Along with the said development permission, there is a plan approving the proposed construction. The plan bears thumb impression of the erstwhile landlady Smt. Bhikubai Yeshwant Chavan. The Appellate Court has grossly erred in holding that mere presence of thumb impression of Bhikubai did
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not mean that Defendant had secured permission from Competent Authority. This finding of the Appellate Court is completely perverse and ignores consent of the landlady for proposed construction by putting her thumb impression on the plan put up for sanction before Pune Municipal Corporation. In any case, what needs to be established for saving a decree of eviction is landlord's consent in writing for erecting permanent structure. In the present case, the erstwhile landlady has permitted erection of the said structure by putting her thumb impression on the plan of proposed construction. Thus it cannot be contended that the construction has been carried out without the consent of landlord for attracting a ground for eviction under section 13(1)(b) of the Bombay Rent Act.
18. Mr. Soni has attempted to suggest that the construction described in the plaint does not match the one sanctioned in the plan. However, there is no pleading by the Plaintiff in the plaint describing in the original structure and any additions made to it. Plaintiff in fact suppressed the position that the Defendant had secured permission from Municipal Corporation for construction of the tenanted structure. This is a unique case where Defendant is in possession of the original sanctioned plan since the construction is put up by him. Plaintiff has not discharged the burden of comparing the original structure with the changes made therein. His pleadings in the plaint are vague and proceed on suppression of the fact that the Defendant himself has constructed the tenanted structure. If Plaintiff wanted to set up a case that the Defendant
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carried out any additional structure over and above the one sanctioned by the Municipal Corporation particularly after the suit premises were purchased by him, he ought to have pleaded such case and proved the same by adducing evidence.
19. Thus there are multiple hurdles for Plaintiff to secure decree for eviction on the ground of erecting permanent structure before landlord's consent. Firstly, he withdrew Suit No.2055 of 1978 in which allegation of permanent construction was raised. Secondly, he did not plead that after withdrawal of Suit No.2055 of 1978 Defendant carried out any additional construction in the suit premises. Thirdly, after noticing defence of the Defendant that he constructed the suit premises after obtaining permission from Municipal Corporation, Plaintiff did not plead or prove the case that Defendant subsequently carried out any unauthorized additions and/or alterations in the construction carried out in accordance with the sanctioned plan. In my view therefore, the Plaintiff has thoroughly failed to prove the case of erecting permanent structure without landlord's consent and therefore no case was made out for ordering Defendant's eviction under provisions of section 13(1)(b) of the Bombay Rent Act.
20. Moving to the next ground of nuisance, which is accepted by the Appellate Court, it is seen that the Trial Court had not formulated any issue relating to nuisance or annoyance. However, Mr. Rairkar has fairly submitted that Petitioner does not want to
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upset the decree of Appellate Court on technicalities and would defend the ground of nuisance on merits. Under provisions of section 13(1)(c) of the Bombay Rent Act, landlord becomes entitled to recover possession of the suit premises, if the tenant is guilty of nuisance or annoyance to the neighbouring or adjoining occupiers. Section 13(1)(c) of the Bombay Rent Act provides thus:
"13.(1)(c) that the tenant or any person residing with the tenant has been guilty of conduct which is a nuisance or annoyance to the adjoining or neighbouring occupiers, or has been convicted of using the premises or allowing the premises to be used for immoral or illegal purposes; or that the tenant has in respect of the premises been convicted of an offence of contravention of any provision of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 394 or of section 394-A of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act; or"
21. If pleadings in the plaint are perused, the Plaintiff pleaded the ground of nuisance and annoyance in paragraph 5 as under:
"5. The Plaintiff is residing in one small room admeasuring about nine feet by nine feet, with his wife and two school going daughters. The premises occupied by the plaintiff are not at all sufficient for the use and occupation by his family. The suit premises are reasonably and bonafide required by the Plaintiff for his own use and occupation. If the decree for possession is refused greater hardship would be caused to the Plaintiff than to the defendant. The defendant therefore, is liable to be evicted."
22. Thus, Plaintiff pleaded receipt of repeated complaints from other tenants as the activity of carrying out motorcycle repairing work by Defendant's sons created nuisance and annoyance to the adjoining or neighbouring occupiers. However, Plaintiff did not examine even a single neighbouring or adjoining occupier. It is well established position of law that if the neighbouring or adjoining
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occupier is landlord himself, the ground of nuisance/annoyance can be accepted if nuisance/annoyance is suffered by the landlord himself. In the present case however, there is nothing to indicate that Plaintiff was occupier of any neighbouring or adjoining premises. In that view of the matter, it was necessary for the Plaintiff to examine atleast once neighbouring or adjoining occupier to prove cause of nuisance or annoyance to them. Plaintiff in fact made a statement in his cross-examination that he did not wish to examine any other tenant. Thus beyond examining himself and the photographer, Plaintiff did not examine any other witness in support of his case. In my view therefore, the Appellate Court has erred in accepting the ground of nuisance and annoyance in absence of any evidence on record.
23. Mr. Soni has attempted to suggest that production of photographs proved the activity of operation of garage in the suit premises. However, perusal of the deposition of the photographer would indicate that beyond production of photographs, the photographer did not himself adduce any evidence about activity of carrying out any repair work in the suit premises. I have perused the photographs in the original records and proceedings sent by the Courts below and it is difficult to form a definitive opinion on mere perusal of photographs that the activity of motorcycle repairing works was being carried out in the suit premises at the relevant time. Plaintiff ought to have examined atleast one witness to depose that Defendant or his sons were carrying out motorcycle
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repair business in the suit premises. A person, whose motorcycle was repaired at the suit premises could also have been examined as a witness. The photographer has also not made any positive statement in his evidence that he himself saw any person repairing motorcycle in the suit premises. In my view therefore, the findings of the Appellate Court about operation of garage by Defendant's son in the suit premises are not well supported by evidence on record. Thus, there is neither conclusive evidence in support of operation of garage in the suit premises nor any direct evidence by neighbouring or adjoining occupier about any nuisance being caused to them on account of any of the activities of the Defendant.
24. Considering the fact that Plaintiff could not prove erecting of any permanent structure without consent of landlord, it is not necessary to go into the issue of limitation. I am therefore not discussing the ratio of various judgments sought to be relied upon by Mr. Rairkar so as not to burden the judgment any further.
25. In my view therefore, Plaintiff has thoroughly failed in making out even a single valid ground for seeking eviction of Defendant. The Trial Court had rightly dismissed Plaintiff's suit. The Appellate Court has palpably erred in reversing the findings recorded by the Trial Court. The findings recorded by the Appellate Court on the issues of bonafide requirement and nuisance suffer from the vice of perversity, warranting interference by this Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction.
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26. Resultantly, Writ Petition succeeds, and I proceed to pass following order:
(i) Judgment and decree dated 6 July 1998 passed by 8th Additional District Judge, Pune in Civil Appeal No.438 of 1992 is set aside and decree dated 14 August 1992 passed by 5th Additional Small Causes Judge, Pune, dismissing Civil Suit No.792 of 1986 is confirmed.
(ii) Resultantly, Civil Suit No.792 of 1986 is dismissed.
27. Writ Petition is allowed in above terms. Rule is made absolute. There shall be no order as to costs.
(SANDEEP V. MARNE, J.)
Digitally signed by SUDARSHAN SUDARSHAN RAJALINGAM RAJALINGAM KATKAM KATKAM Date:
2024.10.25 17:18:45 +0530
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