K. Balasubramani vs. The Tamilnadu Government

NON­REPORTABLE 2024 INSC 140 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION(C) NOS.11225­11256 OF 2021 K. BALASUBRAMANI ETC.       … PETITIONER(S) Versus THE TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED BY THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS ETC. … RESPONDENT(S) WITH SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION(C)NOS.8251­8252/2022 J U DG M E N T Sanjay Karol, J. Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Jayant Kumar Arora Date: 2024.02.23 17:30:56 IST Reason: 1. Briefly   set   out,   the   instant   petitioners   ( hereinafter referred   to   as   the   “tenants” )   were   inducted   as 1| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 tenants/licencees   in   different   shops,   vide   different transactions, owned by the respondents herein ( hereinafter ).  The respondent­landlords are referred to as the “landlords” managing   the   affairs   of   a   temple,   i.e.,   Arulmighu Dhandayuthpani   Swamy   Temple,   Palani,   under   the   Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 ( hereinafter referred to as “the Act” ).   2. Post­termination of their original lease/licence period, the   tenants   stand   declared   as   encroachers   under   the provisions of Section 78 of the Act.  In terms of the impugned judgment and order dated 22.03.2021 passed in a batch of writ petitions initiated by the instant tenants, the High Court, while affirming the impugned action, directed the tenants to hand   over   the   vacant   and   peaceful   possession   of   the premises, individually occupied by each one of the tenants, to the landlord.   3. On 08.01.2024, when the matters came up for hearing, with   an   endeavor   to   have   the   dispute   amicably   resolved, putting an end to the protracted litigation, certain offers were exchanged   between   the   parties   through   their   respective 2| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 learned counsel.  As such on a joint prayer, the matters were adjourned for today.   4.  Appreciably, more so on account of the efforts put in by the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties, the lis   inter   se   the   parties   stand   resolved   on   the   following mutually agreeable terms and on the basis of the instructions imparted to the learned counsel for the respective parties, as stated in the Court, these petitions are being disposed of in the following terms :­ (i) The order of ejectment passed by the authorities under the provisions of the Act stands affirmed.  (ii) With   respect   to   19   tenants,   particulars   whereof   are given herein below in a tabular chart, it shall be open for   the   landlord   to   forthwith   initiate   proceedings seeking possession in accordance with law.   We are constrained   to   pass   such   an   order   for,   despite opportunities afforded till date, they have not cleared arrears of rent/occupation charges. 

3| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21

4| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 NOTE : TOTAL S.NO 19 TOTAL SHOPS NO. 19 (iii) With respect to the remaining 51 tenants (total shops 65   in   number)   particulars   whereof   are   given hereinbelow   in   a   tabular   chart,   the   petitions   are disposed of on the following mutually agreed terms :­

5| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21

6| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21

NOTE : TOTAL S.NO 51 TOTAL SHOPS NO. 65 a) The order of ejectment  qua  all these 51 tenants stand affirmed.     However,   as   mutually   agreed,   they   are 7| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 allowed to occupy the premises for a further period of six months.  These tenants, through their respective counsel  have  undertaken  to hand  over the   vacant and   peaceful   possession   of   the   respective   demised premises under their occupation to the landlord on st or before 31   July, 2024.   These tenants shall be liable to pay rent as it stood revised in the year 2015 and not in the year 2018.   As such, not only shall they clear all arrears of rent/damages/mesne profit, if any, within a period of four months from today, but also continue to pay the same at the rates revised in the year 2015 for such period they shall continue to occupy the premises.   b)These  tenants   shall not   cause  any  damage  to  the properties,   create   any   encumbrance,   or   transfer possession, in any manner, of the demised premises. c) These tenants shall continue to use and occupy the property and enjoy the same strictly in terms of the municipal by­laws. No further construction, more so unauthorized in nature, shall be carried out by them.  d) Before handing over the possession of the demised premises,   these   tenants   shall   clear   all   statutory dues as mutually agreed  inter se  the parties. e) For the period of 280 days for which the petitioners could not fully utilize the demised premises during the pandemic COVID­19, they shall be liable to pay agreed   rent/charges   only   @50%.     Clarifying further, the rent/charges shall be paid at the rates 8| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 revised in the year 2015 and not in 2018 and the period of 280 days shall be computed commencing from 20.03.2020.   f) It is clearly understood   inter se   parties that the landlords intend to develop the property, providing better facilities to the pilgrims.   However, should the   landlord   ever   carry   out   development,   by constructing shops, in that event these tenants (51 in number) shall be given preferential treatment, subject   of   course,   to   their   participating   in   the process of allotment and matching the price bid of the highest bidder.     g) In  the event  the  tenant(s) violating  any of  these terms, it shall be open to the landlord(s) to initiate the proceedings for obtaining possession in terms of   the   order   of   ejectment   and   also   initiate proceedings for contempt, if so advised.   h) Needless to add, the landlord(s) shall not cause any hindrance   in   the   peaceful   occupation   and enjoyment   of   the   demised   premises   by   these tenants.   i) All pending litigation(s), if any,  inter se  the parties in   relation   to   the   demised   premises   shall   stand closed. j) These tenants shall file an undertaking before this Court   agreeing   to   the   aforesaid   terms,   within   a period of three weeks from today. 9| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 5. The petitions shall stand disposed of in the aforesaid terms.     Pending   application(s),   if   any,   shall   also   stand disposed of.   ……………..…………J. (J.K. MAHESHWARI) …………….…………J. (SANJAY KAROL) New Delhi; February 23, 2024. 10| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21