(1)During the proceedings for recovery of possession under section 20, a tenant shall ensure timely payment of rent and other charges at the rate at which these were being paid immediately before the commencement of the proceeding.(2)If, in any proceeding for recovery of possession, there is any dispute as to the amount of rent payable by the tenant, the Rent Authority shall, within fifteen days of the date of the first hearing of the proceeding, fix an interim rent and other charges in relation to the premises to be paid or deposited within one month of the date on which the interim rent is fixed for such further time as the Rent Authority may allow in this behalf.(3)If, in any proceeding for recovery of possession there is any dispute as to the person or persons to whom the rent is payable the Rent Authority may direct the tenant to deposit with the Rent Authority the amount payable by him under sub-section (2) as the case may be, and in such a case, no person shall be entitled to withdraw the amount in deposit until the Rent Authority decides the dispute and makes an order for payment of the same.(4)If the Rent Authority is satisfied that any dispute referred to in sub- section (3) has been raised by a tenant for reasons which are false or frivolous, the Rent Authority may order the defence against eviction to be struck out and proceed with the hearing of the application.(5)If a tenant fails to make payment or deposit as required by this section, the Rent Authority may order the defence against eviction to be struck out and proceed with the hearing of the application.
