Facts
The petitioners, who asserted possession of shops in Sri Krishna Rajendra Market, challenged notices dated 25 and 29 June 2026 demanding arrears arising from an enhanced rent rate, and sought consideration of their representations concerning rent.
Source reference: p. 3–4They submitted that the demand arose from a circular under challenge in W.P. No. 28954/2023, and relied on orders in W.P. Nos. 34329/2024 and 22596/2026 concerning payment of rent pending that challenge.
Source reference: p. 5–6The respondents were heard, and the Court considered its order dated 13 August 2026 in W.P. No. 22596/2026.
Source reference: p. 5Issues
1. Whether the petitioners, being similarly circumstanced to those in W.P. No. 22596/2026, should receive the same interim payment terms pending disposal of W.P. No. 28954/2023.
Source reference: p. 5–72. Whether the impugned rent-demand notices should be quashed.
Source reference: p. 4, 7Law Applied
The Court applied the directions in its order dated 13 August 2026 in W.P. No. 22596/2026: petitioners could deposit Rs. 25,000 each towards arrears, subject to the outcome of W.P. No. 28954/2023, and were to continue paying future rent in accordance with the order dated 18 February 2025 in W.P. No. 34329/2024; if they made the deposit and continued those payments, coercive measures were not to be taken.
Source reference: p. 5–6The Court further recognized that, upon disposal of W.P. No. 28954/2023, the authorities could act in accordance with that decision.
Source reference: p. 7Reasoning
The petitioners’ representations concerned arrears calculated at the original rent rate for April 2017 to March 2026, while the enhanced demand depended on a circular whose validity remained under challenge.
Source reference: p. 6Finding the petitioners similarly situated to those in W.P. No. 22596/2026, the Court considered it appropriate to extend the same deposit and future-rent arrangement to them. It therefore disposed of the petition on those terms and quashed the notices.
Source reference: p. 6–7Holding
The petition was disposed of on the terms of the order dated 13 August 2026 in W.P. No. 22596/2026, and the notices at Annexures B to H were quashed.
The petitioners were permitted to deposit Rs. 25,000 each towards arrears and were required to continue paying future rent in accordance with the order in W.P. No. 34329/2024; those arrangements were subject to the outcome of W.P. No. 28954/2023. The authorities may act in accordance with the eventual disposal of that pending petition.
Source reference: p. 5–7Original Court PDF
SRI MOHAMMED SHAFIKUR REHMANvsTHE COMMISSIONER
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