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Issues Involved:
1. Jurisdiction of Rent Control Authorities 2. Relationship of Landlord and Tenant 3. Application of Section 15(7) of the Delhi Rent Control Act 4. Condonation of Delay in Filing Appeal 5. Merits of the Eviction Order Detailed Analysis: 1. Jurisdiction of Rent Control Authorities The appellant contended that the authorities under the Delhi Rent Control Act had no jurisdiction to entertain the proceedings as there was no relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties. The court held that the Act was enacted to control rents and evictions of tenants, and it postulates a pre-existing relationship of landlord and tenant. The authorities under the Act must determine this relationship when it is disputed. The Rent Controller's jurisdiction is not ousted by a mere denial of this relationship. The court emphasized that the tribunals under the Act have exclusive jurisdiction within the provisions of the Act, and their orders are final and not liable to be questioned in collateral proceedings. 2. Relationship of Landlord and Tenant The appellant denied being a tenant, asserting that the premises were let to the All India Postal & R.M.S. Union and that he was merely a licensee. The court found that the Rent Controller had prima facie established the landlord-tenant relationship based on rent receipts. The Controller's decision to order the appellant to deposit arrears of rent and subsequently strike out his defense for non-compliance indicated that the appellant was deemed a tenant under the Act. The court noted that if the appellant had denied the relationship, he should have walked out of the proceedings instead of seeking protection under the Act. 3. Application of Section 15(7) of the Delhi Rent Control Act Section 15(7) allows the Rent Controller to strike out the tenant's defense if they fail to make the required rent payments. The appellant argued that this provision was erroneously applied. The court held that the orders under Section 15(7) were for the benefit of the tenant and that the appellant, by seeking orders under the Act, had invited the Controller to pass those orders. The appellant's failure to comply with the order to deposit arrears justified the striking out of his defense. 4. Condonation of Delay in Filing Appeal The appellant's appeal to the Rent Control Tribunal was dismissed as time-barred by one day. The court held that the question of condonation of delay is a matter of discretion for the appellate authority and not for the Supreme Court to interfere with. The Tribunal had considered both the delay and the merits of the appeal, finding no grounds for interference with the Rent Controller's orders. Thus, the issue of delay was deemed of academic interest only. 5. Merits of the Eviction Order The appellant challenged the eviction order on the grounds that the premises were not bonafide required by the respondents and that they already had suitable accommodation. The court found that the Rent Controller and the Rent Control Tribunal had concurrently established the respondents' bonafide need for the premises. Furthermore, the appellant's inconsistent stance-benefiting from the Act while denying the landlord-tenant relationship-undermined his position. The court concluded that the appellant had no merit in his appeal, as the eviction order was justified based on the established facts and legal provisions. Conclusion The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal with costs, affirming the jurisdiction of the Rent Control authorities, the established landlord-tenant relationship, the proper application of Section 15(7), the discretionary handling of the delay in appeal, and the merits of the eviction order. The appellant's inconsistent actions and failure to comply with statutory requirements led to the dismissal of his defense and appeal.
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