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Karnataka High Court

H Nagamani vs Sri H Narayana on 11 July, 2025

Author: H.P.Sandesh

Bench: H.P.Sandesh

                               1



       IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

           DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF JULY, 2025

                          BEFORE

           THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P. SANDESH

         HOUSE RENT REV. PETITION NO.10/2024 (EVI)

BETWEEN:

1.     H. NAGAMANI,
       W/O P.N.NARASIMHALLU,
       AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS.

2.     H. MANJULAMMA,
       W/O P.N. NARASIMHALLU,
       AGED ABOUT 34 YEARS.

       BOTH ARE R/AT NO.24/39,
       6TH MAIN ROAD, DATTATREYANAGAR,
       HOSAKEREHALLI, B.S.K. 3RD STAGE
       BENGALURU-560 085.                  ... PETITIONERS

            (BY SRI RAGHAVENDRA V, ADVOCATE)

AND:

SRI. H. NARAYANA,
S/O H. HANUMANTHARAYA,
AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS,
R/AT 24/39, GROUND FLOOR,
SOUTHERN PORTION, 6TH MAIN ROAD,
DATTATREYANAGAR,
HOSAKEREHALLI, BSK 3RD STAGE,
BENGALURU-560 085.                          ... RESPONDENT

(BY SRI. K. NARAYANA SWAMY, ADVOCATE FOR C/R - ABSENT)
                                2



     THIS HRRP IS FILED UNDER SECTION 46(1) OF CPC,
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 02.03.2024 PASSED ON IA NO.1
IN HRC NO.2/2019 ON THE FILE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE, COURT
OF SMALL CAUSES, BENGALURU, ALLOWING THE IA NO.1 FILED
UNDER ORDER 43(2)(b) OF THE KARNATAKA RENT ACT R/W
SECTION 151 OF CPC, TO STOP ALL FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.

     THIS PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR
ORDERS ON 04.07.2025 THIS DAY, THE COURT PRONOUNCED
THE FOLLOWING:

CORAM:    HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH

                         CAV ORDER

     Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners.


     2.    The respondent though represented through counsel,

the learned counsel for the caveator/respondent did not appear

before the Court. On 02.06.2025, 06.06.2025 and 17.06.2025

also the learned counsel for the caveator/respondent was

absent. Hence, this Court vide order dated 17.06.2025 made it

clear that if the learned counsel for the caveator/respondent

does not appear on the next date of hearing, the matter will be

heard in his absence and the learned counsel did not choose to

appear before the Court on 04.07.2025 also. Hence, the matter

was heard in the absence of the learned counsel for the

caveator/respondent and reserved the matter.
                                    3



      3.     This petition is filed challenging the allowing of the

application filed under Section 43(2)(b) of the Karnataka Rent

Act, 1999 read with Section 151 of CPC dismissing the eviction

petition and directing the parties to approach the competent

Court of civil jurisdiction for declaration of their rights.


      4.     The factual matrix of the case of the petitioners

before the Trial Court invoking Section 27(2)(a) and (r) and

Section 31(1)(b) of the Karnataka Rent Act, 1999, is that the

petitioners filed the petition seeking an order of eviction against

the respondent in respect of the petition schedule premises,

which is morefully described in the schedule.             It is contended

that the petitioners are the joint and absolute owners in

possession of the property, which is morefully described in the

schedule and the same having purchased under the registered

sale deed dated 16.12.2004. The said property was consisting

of a 4 square house in the ground floor.             Subsequently, the

petitioners got constructed the first floor portion consisting of 4

square house.     It is contended that the respondent is the elder

brother of the petitioners and during the year 2007, the

respondent was inducted as a tenant in the southern half portion

premises    situated   at   ground     floor   of   the   said   property,
                                  4



measuring east to west 11 feet and north to south 15 feet, on a

monthly rental basis. The rent agreement is dated 13.05.2007

and was for a period of 11 months. The respondent had agreed

to pay a rent of Rs.800/- per month and paid advance of

Rs.8,000/- and the said rent was excluding the water and

electricity charges. The petitioners subsequently extended the

tenancy from time to time as per the verbal terms and

conditions of the parties and accordingly the rent in respect of

the schedule property was enhanced from time to time and

during the year March 2017, the respondent was paying a rent

of Rs.2,400/- per month.      In the month of March 2017, the

petitioners requested the respondent to vacate and deliver the

vacant possession of the schedule premises as the same was

required for their own use and occupation.            However, the

respondent evaded the same on one or the other pretext and not

complied the said bonafide request of the petitioners.


      5.    It is contended that petitioner No.1 is a physically

handicapped with deaf and dumb problem since birth.              The

petitioner No.2 is the younger sister of petitioner No.1 and

petitioner No.2 is taking care of the affairs of the entire property.

The copy of the physically handicapped certificate of petitioner
                                      5



No.1 is also placed on record.           When the respondent did not

vacate, a legal notice was issued terminating the tenancy on

09.01.2018.       The respondent issued reply dated 10.02.2018

denying the relationship between the parties.              It is contended

that in the month of March 2018, the respondent arranged a

Panchayath       with    the   parents   of   the   petitioners    and   the

respondent and other elders of their native, wherein the

respondent has requested for some more time to vacate the

schedule premises and assured that he will soon vacate and

handover the vacant possession of the schedule premises

without fail. The petitioners agreed for the said request of the

respondent.       However, taking undue advantage of the said

gesture of the petitioners, the respondent started postponing the

demand of the petitioners and squatting on the schedule

premises.    Hence, the petitioners were forced to file a petition

for eviction.


      6.        The     respondent   appeared       and   filed   objections

denying the landlord and tenant relationship and contended that

the petitioners and the respondent are the sisters and brother.

It is also contended that the petitioners have not approached the

Court with clean hands. The suit schedule premises is the part
                                6



and parcel of the joint family property.     The respondent is

entitled for equal share in the suit schedule property and other

properties between the petitioners and the respondent.       The

respondent has not paid any rent at any point of time to the

petitioners in respect of the schedule premises. The respondent

denied the contention of the petitioners that they are the

absolute owners, however, admitted the relationship.         The

respondent denied inducting as tenant in the year 2007 based on

the rental agreement and on rent of Rs.800/- per month and

paid advance of Rs.8,000/-.        The respondent denied the

payment of rent of Rs.2,400/- per month and periodical

enhancement.     It is contended that the petitioners and the

respondent are jointly residing in the schedule premises for the

last three decades. It is contended that the respondent and the

petitioners' father is H.Hanumantharaya and mother Narasamma

and the parents had five children i.e., two sons and three

daughters. The respondent is entitled for equal share in the suit

schedule premises, which is the joint family property of the

petitioners and the respondent and hence prayed the Court to

dismiss the petition.
                                 7



      7.     The petitioners in order to prove their case examined

petitioner No.2 as P.W.1 and reiterated the averments of the

petition and got marked the documents at Exs.P.1 to 6. P.W.1

was   subjected   to   cross-examination.   The   petitioners   also

examined one witness as P.W.2 and through P.W.2 got marked

the documents at Exs.P.7 and 8 and he was subjected to cross-

examination.    The respondent also examined himself as R.W.1

and got marked the documents at Exs.R1 and 2 and he was also

subjected to cross-examination. The respondent also examined

his mother as R.W.2 and the evidence of R.W.1 and R.W.2 is

clear denial of the jural relationship between the parties and

both R.W.1 and R.W.2 were also cross-examined.         During the

course of cross-examination of R.W.1, the petitioners confronted

the documents of Exs.P.9 to 11 and R.W.1 admitted the

documents.     The respondent also filed an application under

Section 43(2)(b) of the Karnataka Rent Act read with Section

151 of CPC, praying the Court to stop all the further proceedings

in the matter and direct the petitioners to approach the Court of

civil jurisdiction for declaration of their rights on the petition

schedule premises.     The said application was resisted by the
                                   8



petitioners by filing objections reiterating the averments of the

petition.


      8.    The Trial Court having considered the material

available on record, passed an order on I.A.No.1 i.e., an

application filed under Section 43(2)(b) of the Karnataka Rent

Act read with 151 of CPC, allowing the application and stopped

all further proceedings in the case and directed the parties to

approach the competent Court of civil jurisdiction for declaration

of their rights.     Hence, the present revision petition is filed

before this Court.


      9.    The main contention of the learned counsel for the

petitioners before this Court is that the Trial Court committed an

error in not considering the document of Ex.P.6. The signatures

of the respondent found in Ex.P.6 and his admitted signatures

found in Exs.P.8 to 11 are all same, however the said aspect has

not been considered by the Trial Court. The Trial Court failed to

note that the respondent intentionally changed the signature

while entering his appearance before the Trial Court and no

other documents are produced by him to prove his signature.

The Trial Court not at all appreciated the evidence of P.W.1,
                                   9



wherein   she    has   categorically   stated   about   the   bonafide

requirement of the schedule promises and also failed to consider

the evidence of P.W.2 Nagaraj, who was the earlier tenant under

the petitioners in respect of the very same schedule premises

and P.W.2 had also witnessed the document of Ex.P.6 rental

agreement.      Though nothing was elicited from the mouth of

P.W.2 to disprove his positive evidence, the Trial Court failed to

appreciate his evidence.       The Trial Court without properly

appreciating the oral and documentary evidence led by the

parties and by misreading the evidence, especially the evidence

of R.W.2, has wrongly come to the conclusion that the

petitioners have not proved the jural relationship of landlord and

tenant with the respondent.       The very approach of the Trial

Court is erroneous. The Trial Court failed to take note of the fact

that the property was purchased by the petitioners vide sale

deed dated 06.12.2004 and the same remained unchallenged.

The question of title of the parties to the suit premises is not

relevant and the Trial Court failed to take note of the fact that

P.W.2 was the earlier tenant in respect of the very same

premises and in his presence only the respondent affixed his

signature and the same is spoken by P.W.2 and did not suggest
                                     10



P.W.2 that the respondent did not sign the document in his

presence     and committed an error and hence                  it requires

interference of this Court.


      10.    Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioners

and also on perusal of the material available on record, the

points that arise for the consideration of this Court are:

      (i)    Whether the Trial Court committed an error in
             allowing the application filed under Section
             43(2)(b) of the Karnataka Rent Act, 1999 read
             with Section 151 of CPC, in stopping all further
             proceedings      and   directing   the     parties     to
             approach    the    competent       Court     of      civil
             jurisdiction?

      (ii)   What order?


Point No.(i):

      11.    Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioners

and taking into note of the pleadings of the parties, no doubt,

there is a dispute with regard to the jural relationship between

the parties.     The petitioners in order to prove their case

reiterated the averments in the affidavit and relies upon the

documents of Exs.P.1 to 6, including the rental agreement,

notice exchanged between the parties, khatha certificate and
                                  11



also notarized copy of the disability certificate of petitioner No.1.

In the cross-examination, P.W.1 admits the relationship between

the petitioners and the respondent as his elder brother and

admitted that they were five children to their parents.       P.W.1

stated that the petition schedule premises is the self-acquired

property of their mother. It is suggested that after the mother

had purchased the property, all of them were residing in the said

premises and the same was denied, however, admitted that the

plaint schedule premises was constructed by their parents.         A

suggestion was made that all of them have joined in construction

of the house and the same was denied. It was suggested that

the respondent contributed funds for construction of the house

and the same was denied.         P.W.1 admits that the petition

schedule premises was constructed in the year 1989 and also

admits that not issued any rental receipts to the respondent for

having received the rents. It is suggested that Ex.P.6 is created

for the purpose of this case to defraud the rights of their brother

and the same was denied.


      12.   The petitioners also examined P.W.2, who filed an

affidavit stating that he was a tenant under the petitioners in

respect of the schedule premises from January 2005 to April
                                   12



2007.     The petitioners are the absolute owners of the suit

schedule premises.       It is also his evidence that subsequently

when he has vacated the suit premises, the respondent has

occupied the same as a tenant and entered into an agreement

with petitioner No.2 by executing the document of rental

agreement on 13.05.2007 and he has witnessed the said

agreement along with one more witness Sri Nataraj.          He says

that P.W.2, respondent and the said Nataraj have signed the

said rent agreement before him and he has affixed his signature.

P.W.2 got marked the documents at Exs.P.7 and 8 i.e., Aadhar

card and election identity card of his wife.        In the address

mentioned in Exs.P.7 and 8, they were residing in the petition

schedule premises.        This witness was subjected to cross-

examination.


        13.   In   the   cross-examination,   he   admits   that   his

residential address is No.45, 4th Main Road, Dattatreyanagara,

Hosakerehalli, Banashankari III Stage, Bengaluru.            He has

produced the Aadhar card.       For the same address, he has got

voter ID card. As per Ex.P.7, his address is different i.e., earlier

address. The address mentioned in Exs.P.7 and 8 are same. It
                                  13



is suggested that even though as on today he is residing in the

address mentioned in Exs.P.7 and 8, he is falsely deposing

before the Court and the same was denied.        It is his evidence

that the respondent used to visit the house of the petitioners and

they used to tell that he is their brother. When a suggestion was

made that the respondent is also a co-owner of the petition

schedule premises, he says that he is not aware of the same, but

volunteers   that   petitioner   No.2   had   executed   the   lease

agreement in his favour. Around 2007, there was an agreement

between petitioner No.2 and the respondent with reference to

handing over the possession of the petition schedule premises to

him after he vacated the petition schedule premises.           It is

suggested that Ex.P.6 is a created document and the same was

denied. The present suit is with reference to the property which

was occupied by him as a tenant.        The measurement of that

property might be around 15 x 12 feet.        It is suggested that

Ex.P.6 is a created document in collusion with the petitioners

and himself and the same was denied. A suggestion was made

that as on today, he is in occupation of the petition schedule

premises and deposing falsely and the said suggestion was

denied.
                               14



      14.    R.W.1 in his evidence reiterated the averments of

the objection statement and marked the documents at Exs.R1,

R1(a) and R2.    In the cross-examination, he admits that he is

working in Bharath Electronics Ltd. after he completed his

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. When a question was put to

him whether he can produce any document to show that the

petition schedule premises is the joint family property, he

answers that he is required to enquire his mother and says that

he do not know at present in whose name the petition schedule

premises is standing. A suggestion was made that the mother

had sold the property in favour of the petitioners on 06.12.2004

and the same was denied, but admits that Narasamma is his

mother. He admits that he has not paid the tax of the petition

schedule premises, as it is not standing in his name. A

suggestion was made that he is a tenant in the petition schedule

premises and having no right or title over the petition schedule

premises and the same is denied. With regard to his signature is

concerned, he says that since beginning, he used to sign in the

same manner, which is appearing in his chief examination

affidavit.   When the document of SSLC marks card was

confronted, he admits the same and the same is marked as
                                15



Ex.P.9 and he also admits his signature. But, he volunteers that

after II year PUC, he changed his signature. The hall ticket of

his Diploma III year examination was confronted to him and he

admits the same as Ex.P.10 and his signature is marked as

Ex.P.10(a).    He admits that on the back side of Ex.P.10, his

photo is affixed and volunteers he changed his signature style.


     15.      The other document confronted to him is the

signature made by him when the offer of employment was given

to him on 31.12.2004 and he admits the same and the same is

marked as Ex.P.11 and his signature is marked as Ex.P.11(a).

He denies that the signature on Ex.P.6 belongs to him.        He

admits that he has not maintained any documents to show that

he has spent amount for construction of the house and denied

the investment made by him for construction.           A specific

question was put to him that he was inducted as a tenant in

terms of Ex.P.6 and the same was denied.       A suggestion was

made that he made the payment of rent at the rate of

Rs.2,400/- per month till March 2017 and the same was denied.

He admits that petitioner No.1 is deaf and dumb. He admits that

the petitioners have requested him to vacate the petition

schedule premises.    A suggestion was made that there was a
                                 16



conciliation between the petitioners and himself before the elders

in the year 2018 and the same was denied, however he

volunteers that their parents came and there was a discussion,

but there was no Panchayath.


      16.   The other witness is the mother R.W.2 and in her

evidence she says that she acquired the petition schedule

premises through a unregistered power of attorney.        She says

that she has registered nominal sale deed in the name of her

daughters     without   receiving    any   sale   consideration   on

06.12.2004.     She says that they have continued in joint

possession and enjoyment of the property. The respondent has

contributed his hard earned money for construction of residential

houses and the premises is their joint family property and all are

entitled for equal share. In the cross-examination, R.W.2 admits

that after she has executed the sale deed dated 06.12.2004, the

petitioners have become the owners of the petition schedule

premises and however, admits that the respondent is in

possession of the petition schedule premises. A suggestion was

made that the respondent is in possession as a tenant and the

same is denied.    A suggestion was made that before filing the

petition, she was requested to get the respondent vacated from
                                 17



the premises and the same was denied.         She admits that the

ground floor was constructed by her and the first floor was

constructed by the petitioners. She says that she is not having

any documents to show that the respondent has also contributed

for construction of the petition schedule premises. It is admitted

that she was not residing in the petition schedule premises after

execution of the sale deed in favour of the petitioners.


      17.   Having re-assessed the material available on record,

it is not in dispute that the petitioners have purchased the

property from their mother in the year 2004 and also the

documents of Exs.P.1 and 2 stands in the name of the

petitioners. It is not in dispute that petitioner No.1 is a deaf and

dumb and to that effect, the document of Ex.P.3 is produced

before the Court.   The notice was issued to the respondent in

terms of Ex.P.4 and reply was given in terms of Ex.P.5.         The

main contention of the petitioners is that there is an agreement

between the petitioners and the respondent in terms of Ex.P.6

and the said document is marked and in order to prove this

document, the petitioners examined P.W.2, who was the earlier

tenant of P.W.1 in respect of the very same premises in which

the respondent is residing. The Aadhar card of P.W.2, which is
                                     18



marked as Ex.P.7, discloses the address of the petition schedule

premises and also voter ID card of his wife Ex.P.8 also discloses

the very same address i.e., petition schedule premises. These

documents clearly evidence the fact that P.W.2 was a tenant in

respect of the very same premises. It is important to note that

P.W.2 deposes before the Court that after he vacated the

premises, the respondent came to the very same premises and

the document Ex.P.6 came into existence in his presence.              His

evidence is clear that in his presence only petitioner No.2,

respondent and another witness Nataraj signed the document of

Ex.P.6. In the cross-examination of P.W.2, nothing is suggested

that R.W.1 did not make his signature in the presence of P.W.2,

but only a suggestion was made that the document of Ex.P.6 is a

created document. P.W.2 says that around 2007, there was an

agreement between petitioner No.2 and the respondent with

reference to handing over the possession of the petition schedule

premises to him after he vacated the petition schedule premises.

He admits that the present suit is with reference to the property

which was occupied by him as a tenant and he also specifies the

measurement of the premises.             In the chief evidence, he

categorically   stated   in   the   affidavit   that   petitioner   No.2,
                                19



respondent and the said Nataraj have signed the said agreement

before him and he also affixed his signature. Hence, the

evidence of P.W.2 is very clear that he affixed the signature on

the document Ex.P.6.


     18.   R.W.1 though denied his signature on Ex.P.6, in the

cross-examination, he categorically says that since beginning he

used to sign in the same manner, which is appearing in his chief

examination affidavit. Having compared the signature on Ex.P.6,

it is different from the signature on vakalath and affidavit. He

admits that since beginning he used to sign in the same manner,

but when the document of SSLC marks card is confronted to

him, he admits his signature in Ex.P.9, but the same is different

signature. He volunteers that after II PUC examination, he had

changed his signature. When he gave such an answer, the other

document of hall ticket of III year Diploma was confronted to

him which is marked as Ex.P.10 and he admits his signature as

Ex.P.10(a) and he volunteers that he changed his signature

style. One more document was confronted to him dated

31.12.2004 i.e., offer letter for his employment and the same is

marked as Ex.P.11 and signature of the witness on Ex.P.11 is

marked as Ex.P.11(a).
                                20



     19.    Having considered these documents, SSLC marks

card of R.W.1, which is marked as Ex.P.9 is dated 01.07.1994.

Though R.W.1 contended that he had changed his signature

after II PUC, but the signature in Ex.P.10 i.e., hall ticket of

Diploma examination in the year 2001 and so also the signature

in Ex.P.11 i.e., offer of employment in Aditya Horologicals

Limited on 31.12.2004 are similar to the signature in 1994 and

for a period from 1994 to 2004, his signatures are similar. The

very explanation and voluntary evidence that he had changed his

signature after II PUC falsifies his contention and all his

signatures are similar from 1994 to 2004 and only in an

ingenious method while appearing before the Court he had

changed his signature while filing the vakalath as well as the

evidence.   These factors were not taken note of by the Trial

Court that the respondent has adopted an ingenious method in

giving a false evidence before the Court and he says that after II

PUC he had changed the style of his signature, but even during

the course of employment also, his signature is same. The Trial

Court ought to have compared the present signature and earlier

signature from 1994 to 2004 and the same is not done under

Section 73 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and nothing is
                                   21



discussed about exercising of power under Section 73 of the

Indian Evidence Act.


      20.     It is important to note that though R.W.2 mother

comes before the Court and files chief affidavit that it is a joint

family     property,   but   categorically   admits   in   the   cross-

examination that when she had sold the property in favour of the

petitioners, the petitioners became the owners of the property.

R.W.2 also admits that they have constructed only ground floor

premises.     R.W.1 admits that the same was done in the year

1989 and admits that the petitioners have constructed first floor

portion.     Though it is contended that the respondent has

contributed money for construction of the petition schedule

premises, both the respondent and R.W.2 have not produced

any documents to prove the same. It is important to note that

R.W.2 admits that she was not residing in the petition schedule

premises after execution of the sale deed in favour of the

petitioners. Though, it is stated in the affidavit that it is only a

nominal sale deed of R.W.2, but categorically admits that the

petitioners have become the owners of the property.
                                22



      21.   These admissions were not considered by the Trial

Court while considering the material available on record. I have

already pointed out that the signature identified in Ex.P.6 by

P.W.2 is that of the signature of the respondent has not been

suggested to P.W.2, who is one of the witness to the document

of Ex.P.6. P.W.2 categorically says that in his presence only the

respondent had affixed his signature.     No doubt, the mother

comes and deposes that it is a joint family property. If it is a

joint family property, there is no explanation as to what made

her to sell the property in favour of the petitioners. R.W.2

categorically admits that after selling the property, she did not

continue in the possession of the said property, if really it is a

nominal sale deed and this fact is also not considered by the

Trial Court and the Trial Court erroneously comes to the

conclusion that the jural relationship is not established. I have

already pointed out that the Trial Court did not choose to

compare the signature by exercising the power conferred under

Section 73 of the Indian Evidence Act.    There is no categorical

denial by the respondent with regard to his signature on Ex.P.6

when the signature of the respondent was identified through

P.W.2 and nothing is suggested that his signature not belongs to
                                 23



him and instead of he has adopted an ingenious method making

the signature in different way in the vakalath and chief evidence.

When the documents are confronted, he categorically admitted

the signatures in Exs.P.9 to 11 and those documents came into

existence from 1994 to 2014 and similar signature is available in

Ex.P.6 also.    All these materials clearly discloses that the

respondent took up a false defence and even he had gone to the

extent of adopting an ingenious method of making the signature

in a different way and when those documents were confronted,

he admitted his signatures. The Trial Court ought to have taken

note of the said fact into consideration and ought to have

compared the signatures. Hence, the Trial Court committed an

error in appreciating the material available on record and the

respondent even denied the sale in favour of the petitioners, but

mother R.W.2, who executed the document, admits the same.


     22.    It is the specific case of the petitioners that when the

notice was issued, the respondent denied the tenancy and he

postponed to vacate the premises and Panchayath was held.

Though R.W.2 denies that no such request was made to vacate

the premises, but R.W.1 categorically admits that no such

Panchayath was held, but parents came and there was a
                                 24



discussion.   Hence, it is clear that the parents came and

discussed the same.     R.W.1 admits that the petitioners have

requested him to vacate the petition schedule premises and the

same is admitted in paragraph No.4 of the cross-examination

and no doubt, he denies Panchayath, but the fact that the

parents came and discussion was made to that effect is also

admitted by R.W.1. All these materials discloses that after the

issuance of notice in the month of January 2018 and when the

Panchayath was held, the petitioners requested the respondent

to vacate the petition schedule premises and the respondent

agreed to vacate the same.      But when he did not vacate the

petition schedule premises, the petitioners were forced to file a

petition in the month of January 2019 after the issuance of legal

notice in the month of January 2018 as per Ex.P.4. The same is

also clear that the respondent had agreed to vacate the

premises and when he did not vacate the premises, the

petitioners were forced to file a petition almost after one year of

causing of notice. Hence, taking note of the material available

on record and the averments of the petition, it is clear that the

respondent agreed to vacate, but not vacated. The Trial Court

committed an error in dismissing the petition by stopping all
                                   25



further proceedings and allowing the application.         Hence, it

requires interference of this Court.


      23.    In view of the discussions made above, I pass the

following:

                                  ORDER

(i) The petition is allowed.

(ii) The impugned order is set aside and it is held that there is a jural relationship between the parties in terms of Ex.P.6.

(iii) The matter is remitted back to the Trial Court.

(iv) The Trial Court is directed to consider the petition on merits in accordance with law.

(v) The parties are directed to appear before the Trial Court on 04.08.2025, without expecting any notice from the Trial Court.

(vi) The Trial Court is directed to dispose of the matter within three months from 04.08.2025.

Sd/-

(H.P. SANDESH) JUDGE MD