Abdul Majid Mir vs Kapil Dev Ghai & Ors
- SCC(2011) 14 SCC 597
- AIRAIR 2011 SC Supp 406
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
Where a tenant has paid the entire arrears of rent to one of two co-owners of the property, the tenant cannot be compelled to pay the same arrears again to the other co-owner, and the tenant therefore bears no liability for such rent once possession has been relinquished.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
ABDUL MAJID MIR ... APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
KAPIL DEV GHAI & ORS. ... RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
Leave granted.
Heard learned counsel for the parties.
2. In this case, the possession of the premises has already
been handed over by the tenant to the landlord. The short question
which arises now is regarding the arrears of rent.
3. Mr.K.V.Viswanathan, learned senior counsel appearing for
the appellant has drawn our attention to the finding of the Trial
Court in which it is clearly mentioned that the entire amount of
rent has been paid to V.K.Ghai, co-owner of the property and brother
of the respondent no.1 herein. This fact is not controverted by the
counsel for the respondent.
4. In the Revision Petition filed by the respondent, the High
Court, without any discussion, set aside the order of the Trial
Court and the Revision Petition filed by the appellant was
dismissed. In our considered view, the impugned judgment cannot be
sustained. Consequently, the impugned judgment is set aside. The
appellant-tenant has already paid the entire outstanding amount,
therefore, the appellant cannot be compelled to pay the rent amount
twice over, so the appellant will have no liability to pay any rent. : 2 :
5. Since the possession has already been delivered, no further directions are necessary.
6. The Civil Appeal is, accordingly allowed and disposed of,
leaving the parties to bear their own costs.
...................J. (DALVEER BHANDARI)
...................J. (DEEPAK VERMA)
NEW DELHI;
3RD JANUARY, 2011
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