Merely Because Landlord Suffers Old Age and Frail Health, It Cannot Be Presumed He Does Not Require Tenanted Premises: Delhi HC Upholds Eviction Order

In a significant judgment, the High Court of Delhi has upheld an eviction order, emphasizing that a landlord’s old age and health cannot automatically negate their requirement for a tenanted property. The Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia, while delivering the verdict in the case of Babu Lal vs Ashok Kumar, reinforced the balance between a landlord’s bona fide requirement and a tenant’s right to contest eviction under the Delhi Rent Control Act.

Legal Context: The petitioner, Babu Lal, challenged an eviction order under Section 25B(8) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, on grounds including the landlord’s alleged alternate accommodation, age, and health status. The High Court’s task was to scrutinize the legality of this order, considering the limited scope of its revisional power.

Case Facts and Issues: The respondent, Ashok Kumar, filed an eviction petition under Section 14(1)€, stating his bona fide need for the premises for business purposes. The petitioner contested this, citing the landlord’s age and health and the availability of alternate accommodation.

Summary Procedure and High Court’s Role: The Court referenced the precedent Shiv Sarup Gupta vs Mahesh Chand Gupta, highlighting its limited role in examining the Rent Controller’s process and not the decision per se.

Analysis of Premises and Alternate Accommodation: The Court reviewed the premises’ site plan and dismissed the relevance of subsequent events, like the availability of alternate accommodation, post the impugned order.

Landlord’s Bona Fide Requirement: The Court rejected the argument that the landlord’s age and health undermined his bona fide requirement. It underscored the right to livelihood and dignity, not allowing presumptions of incapacity due to old age or health to prevail.

Conclusion and Judgment: Justice Kathpalia found no infirmity in the impugned order and dismissed the petition, affirming the eviction order.

Date of Decision: April 08, 2024

Babu Lal vs Ashok Kumar