2005 (7) TMI 673 - SC - Indian Laws

Suit for ejectment on the ground of expiry of the lease - Seeking renewal of the lease - lease agreement - Possession on lease of the suit premises for running a Petrol Pump - holding over as a lessee within the meaning of Section 116 - HELD THAT - In the instant case, option of renewal was exercised not in accordance with the terms of renewal clause that is before the expiry of lease. It was exercised after expiry of lease and the lessee continued to remain in use and occupation of the leased premises. The rent offered was accepted by the lessor for the period the lessee overstayed on the leased premises. The lessee, in the circumstances, could not claim that he was holding over as a lessee within the meaning of Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act. So far as the cross suit for specific performance of agreement of renewal of lease filed by the lessee is concerned, there are concurrent findings of all the courts that the option for renewal was exercised after the expiry of the lease period. The option for renewal exercised was, therefore, contrary to terms of clause (9) of the lease agreement. The clauses of renewal requiring fixation of terms and conditions for renewed period of lease mutually or in the alterntive through village Mukhia and Panchas are uncertain and incapable of specific performance. After legal notice of renewal, the lessor did not send any positive reply and instead filed a suit for ejectment, therefore, there was no mutual consent for renewal. The forum agreed to for deciding dispute was through local Mukhia and Panchas of the village. The renewal clauses of the agreement were vague and incapable of specific performance. The Mukhia and Panchas were not named in the agreement and the method of choosing either of the two forums was not specified. The cross suit filed by the lessor for specific performance of the agreement of renewal was rightly dismissed throughout. The original period of lease expired on 19.7.1977 and the suit for ejectment on the ground of expiry of the lease was filed on 16.6.1978 which was well within the period of limitation and rightly decreed. As the leased premises were in use for running a petrol pump, we grant the appellant a reasonable period of two months from the date of this order to deliver possession of the leased premises after removing her installations and other movables. The above grace period to vacate is granted to the appellant only on her filing an undertaking on affidavit to this Court, within a period of two months that she would pay all arrears of rent and mesne profits at the originally agreed rate for the total period of occupation of the property. The lessee shall also undertake to deliver vacant possession of the property in the same condition in which it was initially taken. Thus, we find no merits in these appeals preferred by the lessee, they are accordingly dismissed with costs.

Summary

Issues:
1. Interpretation of lease renewal clauses.
2. Application of Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act.
3. Validity of exercise of option for renewal.
4. Specific performance of renewal agreement.
5. Suit for ejectment based on lease expiration.

Interpretation of Lease Renewal Clauses:
The appellant obtained possession of the premises for a Petrol Pump under a lease deed with an option of renewal. The lease expired, and the lessee continued to pay rent. The lease deed contained clauses providing for renewal, subject to conditions. The lessor filed a suit for ejectment, claiming the lease had expired. The trial court held that acceptance of rent resulted in lease renewal, invoking the doctrine of 'holding over' under Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act. However, the first appellate court disagreed, emphasizing the need for explicit renewal terms.

Application of Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act:
Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act was crucial in determining the effect of holding over by the lessee after lease expiration. The courts analyzed whether mere acceptance of rent post-expiry implied lease renewal. The High Court and lower courts concluded that without explicit agreement or assent to renewal, 'holding over' did not automatically extend the lease under Section 116. The renewal clauses in the lease deed were deemed as 'agreement to the contrary' under the Act, requiring compliance with specified renewal conditions.

Validity of Exercise of Option for Renewal:
The lessee exercised the renewal option after the lease period ended, contrary to the terms stipulated in the lease agreement. The courts found that the lessee's actions did not align with the requirements for renewal set out in the lease deed. The lack of mutual consent or adherence to the specified renewal procedure rendered the lessee's claim of renewal invalid. The courts emphasized the importance of fulfilling renewal conditions within the agreed timeframe.

Specific Performance of Renewal Agreement:
The lessee's cross suit seeking specific performance of the renewal agreement was dismissed as the option for renewal was exercised post-expiry, violating the lease terms. The courts determined that the clauses outlining renewal conditions were vague and incapable of specific enforcement. The absence of mutual consent and uncertainty regarding the forum for dispute resolution further weakened the lessee's claim for specific performance.

Suit for Ejectment Based on Lease Expiration:
The lessor's suit for ejectment was decreed valid as it was filed within the limitation period after the lease expiration. The courts upheld the lessor's right to seek ejectment due to the lessee's failure to comply with the renewal conditions and the expiration of the original lease term. The lessee was granted a grace period to vacate the premises upon meeting specified conditions.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, affirming the lower courts' decisions based on the interpretation of lease renewal clauses, application of Section 116 of the Transfer of Property Act, and the validity of the exercise of the renewal option. The judgment highlighted the significance of explicit renewal terms, adherence to renewal conditions, and the legal requirements for lease extension and ejectment proceedings.