Kerala High Court
Biju @ Arul Raj vs Valsa Eapan on 10 March, 2025
Author: A. Muhamed Mustaque
Bench: A.Muhamed Mustaque
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. KRISHNA KUMAR
MONDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 19TH PHALGUNA, 1946
OP (RC) NO. 46 OF 2025
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 04.12.2024 IN I.A. NO.10/2023
IN RCOP NO.3 OF 2016 OF MUNSIFF COURT, PUNALUR
PETITIONER/PETITIONER/RESPONDENT:
BIJU @ ARUL RAJ, AGED 47 YEARS, S/O. VENUGOPAL,
PROPRIETOR OF ARUNIMA DIESEL SERVICE, KANDAMATHU
BUILDING, S.N.COLLEGE JUNCTION, CHEMMANTHOOR,
PUNALUR, KOLLAM - , RESIDING AT ARUNIMA BHAVANAM,
KADAPPAKKADA DIVISION, KOLLAM EAST VILLAGE,
KOLLAM, PIN - 691 305
BY ADVS.
K.C.SANTHOSHKUMAR
K.K.CHANDRALEKHA
K.S.SUDHA
ANUPAMA JOHNY
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS:
1 VALSA EAPAN, AGED 73 YEARS, W/O. LATE K.S.THOMAS,
KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM TALUK,
KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
2
2 BOBY.K.THOMAS, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O. LATE
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
3 ROBY K.THOMAS, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O. LATE
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
THIS OP (RENT CONTROL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
10.03.2025, ALONG WITH OP (RC).51/2025, 52/2025, THE COURT
ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
3
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. KRISHNA KUMAR
MONDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 19TH PHALGUNA, 1946
OP (RC) NO. 51 OF 2025
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 04.12.2024 IN RCOP NO.4 OF
2016 OF MUNSIFF COURT, PUNALUR
PETITIONER/PETITIONER/RESPONDENT:
HARIKUMAR, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O. THANKAPPAN PILLAI,
HARI BHAVAN, THEKKEKARA, PAKIDI, CHEMMANTHOOR
MURI, PUNALUR MUNICIPALITY, KOLLAM DISTRICT -.,
PIN - 691 035
BY ADVS.
K.C.SANTHOSHKUMAR
K.K.CHANDRALEKHA
ANUPAMA JOHNY
K.S.SUDHA
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS:
1 VALSA EAPAN, AGED 73 YEARS, W/O. LATE K.S.THOMAS,
KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM TALUK,
KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN - 691 303
2 BOBY.K.THOMAS, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O. LATE
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
4
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
3 ROBY K.THOMAS, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O. LATE
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
BY ADVS.
ANESH PAUL
G.SHRIKUMAR (SR.)(S-580)
THIS OP (RENT CONTROL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
10.03.2025, ALONG WITH OP (RC).46/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES,
THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
5
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. KRISHNA KUMAR
MONDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 19TH PHALGUNA, 1946
OP (RC) NO. 52 OF 2025
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 04.12.2024 IN OPRC NO.5 OF
2016 OF MUNSIFF COURT, PUNALUR
PETITIONER/PETITIONER/RESPONDENT:
KUMAR, S/O. DURAI SWAMI, PROPRIETOR OF BRAHMA
SPARE PARTS, KANDAMATHU BUILDING, S.N.COLLEGE
JUNCTION, PUNALUR MUNICIPALITY, KOLLAM -, PIN -
691 305
BY ADVS.
K.C.SANTHOSHKUMAR
K.K.CHANDRALEKHA
K.S.SUDHA
ANUPAMA JOHNY
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS:
1 VALSA EAPAN, AGED 73 YEARS, W/O. LATE K.S.THOMAS,
KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM TALUK,
KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
2 BOBY.K.THOMAS, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O. LATE
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
6
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
3 ROBY K.THOMAS, AGED 42 YEARS, S/O. LATE
K.S.THOMAS, KALLU VEETIL, MAYYANADU P.O., KOLLAM
TALUK, KOLLAM DISTRICT -, PIN - 691 303
BY ADVS.
ANESH PAUL
G.SHRIKUMAR (SR.)(S-580)
THIS OP (RENT CONTROL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
10.03.2025, ALONG WITH OP (RC).46/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES,
THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
7
JUDGMENT
[OP (RC) Nos.46/2025, 51/2025, 52/2025]
A. Muhamed Mustaque, J.
These original petitions are filed by the tenants
aggrieved by the order on maintainability. The Rent Control
Court ruled in favour of the landlord, holding that the petition is
maintainable.
2. It is to be noted that there are rival claims.
Another set of persons claimed that they are landlords. The
Rent Control Court already ordered a joint trial. There was a
challenge against that order before this Court. This Court
affirmed the order of the Rent Control Court.
3. In view of the above fact, the Rent Control
Court ought to have deferred the consideration of the question
on maintainability after trial. The Rent Control Court ought not
have decided the maintainability without facilitating a joint trial
of all sets of rival claims. Accordingly, the impugned order is set
aside. We direct the Rent Control Court to decide the question
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
regarding maintainability after the trial, and the Rent Control
Court shall conclude the entire proceedings before the summer
vacation.
These original petitions are disposed of as above.
Sd/-
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
JUDGE
Sd/-
P. KRISHNA KUMAR
JUDGE
PR
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
APPENDIX OF OP (RC) 46/2025
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT CONTROL
PETITION DATED 06.04.2016 IN RC (OP)
Exhibit P2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE COUNTER STATEMENT
DATED 20.07.2016 SUBMITTED BY THE
PETITIONER IN RC (OP) NO.3/2016
Exhibit P3 HE TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED
18.09.2017 IN I.A.NO.10/2023 AND
AFFIDAVIT
Exhibit P4 THE TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED
01.06.2023 FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS IN
Exhibit P5 THE TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P6 THE TRUE COPY OF THE DECREE DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P7 THE TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN
Exhibit P8 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
14.09.2015 IN I.A.NO.2300/2015 IN
Exhibit P9 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED 08.03.2016
Exhibit P10 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LEASE DEED DATED
26.08.2021
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
Exhibit P11 HE TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED
20.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE PUNALUR
MUNICIPALITY
Exhibit P12 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
04.12.2024 IN R.C.(OP) NO.3/2016 ON THE
FILE OF THE RENT CONTROLLER (MUNSIFF)
PUNALUR
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
APPENDIX OF OP (RC) 51/2025
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT CONTROL
PETITION BEARING RC(OP) NO.4/2016 DATED
06.04.2016
Exhibit P2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE COUNTER STATEMENT
IN RC (OP) NO.4/2016 DATED 20/7/2016
Exhibit P3 THE TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION BEARING
I.A.NO.1802/2017 DATED 18/9/2017
Exhibit P4 THE TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN
I.A.NO.1802/2017 DATED 1/6/2023
Exhibit P5 THE TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P6 THE TRUE COPY OF THE DECREE DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P7 THE TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN
Exhibit P8 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
14.09.2015 IN I.A.NO.2300/2015 IN
Exhibit P9 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT DEED DATED 07-
01-2016
Exhibit P10 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT DEED DATED
26.02.2019
Exhibit P11 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT DEED DATED
18.10.2024
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
Exhibit P12 THE TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED
20.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE PUNALUR
MUNICIPALITY
Exhibit P13 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
04.12.2024 IN R.C.(OP) NO.4/2016 ON THE
FILE OF THE RENT CONTROLLER (MUNSIFF)
PUNALUR
2025:KER:20110
OP (RC) Nos.46, 51 and 52 of 2025
APPENDIX OF OP (RC) 52/2025
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RENT CONTROL
PETITION BEARING RC(OP) NO.5/2016 DATED
06.04.2016
Exhibit P2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE COUNTER STATEMENT
SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER IN RC (OP)
NO.5/2016 DATED NIL
Exhibit P3 THE TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED
18.09.2017 IN I.A.NO.1803/2017 AND
AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF THE SAME
Exhibit P4 THE TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P5 THE TRUE COPY OF THE DECREE DATED
30.09.2014 IN O.S.NO.31/2006 ON THE FILE
OF THE COURT OF SUBORDINATE JUDGE,
KOTTARAKKARA
Exhibit P6 THE TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN
Exhibit P7 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
14.09.2015 IN I.A.NO.2300/2015 IN
Exhibit P8 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT
DATED 07.05.2016
Exhibit P9 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LEASE DEED DATED
11.05.2017
Exhibit P10 THE TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED
20.11.2023 ISSUED BY THE PUNALUR
MUNICIPALITY
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Exhibit P11 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED
04.12.2024 IN R.C.(OP) NO.5/2016 ON THE
FILE OF THE RENT CONTROLLER (MUNSIFF)
PUNALUR
