Brochure

on

SUB-LETTING
By: Justice S.U.Khan
Chairman, JTRI

JTRI Auditorium

Institute of Judicial Training & Research, U.P.

Vineet Khand, Gomtinagar, Lucknow

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 SUB-LETTING
Index

1. Introduction (Containing gist of the chapter)

2. Relevant Provisions of T.P. Act and U.P.R.C. Act
3. Before commencement of Act and Discontinuance
4. Consent, written permission and waiver
5. How to be proved :
A. Exclusive possession, proof of sub-tenancy
B. Exclusive possession or permissive user
C. Whether parting with possession and
assignment different from sub-letting
D. Possession of Family members and other
relations
E. Specific Instances (Brief Facts)
(a) Possession of third party, Sub-letting
found proved
(b) Occupation of third party, Sub-letting not
found proved
F. Position under U.P.R.C. Act less complicated

6. Company, Firm, Society and Club

7. Miscellaneous:
A. Service as Rent
B. Rights and liabilities inheritable
C. Sub-letting of part of accommodation and its
effect
D. Pleading
E. Sub – tenant necessary party?
F. Mixed question of law and fact
G. W. B. R. C. Act, provision applies to non –
residential building also

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 INTRODUCTION

(Containing gist of the Chapter)

By virtue of Section 108(j) of Transfer of Property Act (contained in

chapter V dealing with leases of immovable property), in the absence of
a contract to the contrary tenant is at complete liberty to sublet the
whole or part of the tenanted property. However, under Rent Control
Acts of almost all the States sub-letting is prohibited unless it is with
the consent of the landlord, mostly in writing. Under U.P. Urban
Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act 1972 hereinafter
referred to as U.P.R.C. Act (or U.P. Rent Control Act or U.P. Act no. 13 of
1972)sub-letting is prohibited [Section 25(1)] and is a ground of eviction
[Section 20(2)(e)] unless it is of part of the tenanted premises and
created with the permission of the landlord in writing and of District
Magistrate, [ Section 25 (2)].

Sub-letting (or letting) is not defined under Rent Control Acts,

hence, general definition of lease given under Section 105 of Transfer of
Property Act can be adopted.

By virtue of Section 107 of Transfer of Property Act, tenancy (or

sub-tenancy) from month to month may be made either by registered
instrument or by oral agreement (oral or written in U.P.) accompanied by
delivery of possession. Accordingly, for sub-letting (as well as for letting)
three things are required; agreement, delivery of possession and rent.

Under U.P. Rent Control Act if tenant allows the building or part
thereof to be occupied by non-family member he is deemed to have sub-
let the building or the part [Section 12(1)(b) and 25 Explanation (i)]. In
case of non-residential building admitting a non-family member as

3
partner in the business amounts to sub-letting. [Section 12(2) and 25(2)
Explanation (i)]. Family member means spouse, male lineal descendants
and specified parents/ grant parents, daughters/granddaughters
[Section 3(g)].

Under Delhi, Rajasthan and West Bengal Rent Control Acts the
words used are sub-letting, assignment or parting with the possession.
In some authorities, parting with possession has been held to be distinct
from sub-letting. However, in this context parting with possession is not
distinct from sub-letting, it is in fact a facet of sub-letting rather a mode
of proving the same. The words „allow to occupy‟ used under U.P. Rent
Control Act mean the same thing as „parting with possession‟, the words
used in the above Acts. Both denote exclusive possession of alleged sub-
tenant. However, every type of presence in or permissive user of tenanted
accommodation by third party does not amount to his exclusive
possession.

The other two ingredients of sub-letting i.e. agreement and

payment of rent are not possible to be proved by direct affirmative
evidence as both take place secretly and landlord is kept in dark.
Accordingly, for establishing sub-letting the only thing required to be
proved is exclusive possession of alleged sub-tenant. Even the bald
pleading that the property has been sub-let is sufficient and it is not
necessary to plead payment of rent by sub-tenant to the tenant.

Even if sub-letting is continuing since before passing of the Rent

Control Act or its applicability on the building in question, it is a ground
of eviction. Discontinuance of sub-tenancy before institution of suit or
other proceedings is immaterial, and tenant will be liable to eviction
thereupon. If suit (or other proceedings) is instituted on some other

4
ground, and during pendency thereof sub-letting takes place, it may also
be set forth as a ground of eviction in that very suit by amending the
plaint.

1. RELEVANT PROVISIONS
T.P. Act:
Section 105:
“A lease of immovable property is a transfer of right to enjoy such
property made for a certain time expressed or implied or in
perpetuity, in consideration of a price paid or promised, or of money,
share of crops, service or any other thing of value, to be rendered
periodically on or specified occasions to the transferor by the
transferee, who accepts the transfer on such terms.”

Section 107 (first two paragraphs):

“A lease of immoveable property from year to year, or for any term

exceeding one year or reserving a yearly rent, can be made only by
a registered instrument.

All other leases of immovable property may be made either by a

registered instrument or by oral agreement accompanied by delivery
of possession.”

In U.P. second para of Section 107 has been substituted as

follows:-

“All other leases of immovable property may be made either by a

registered instrument or by an agreement oral or written,
accompanied by delivery of possession.”

Section 108(j):

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 “The lessee may transfer absolutely or by way of mortgage or
sub-lease the whole or any part of his interest in the property, and
any transferee of such interest or part may again transfer it. The
lessee shall not by reason only of such transfer, cease to be
subject to any of the liabilities.

Nothing in this clause shall be deemed to authorize a tenant

having an un-transferable right of occupancy, the farmer of an
estate in respect of which default has been made in paying
revenue, or the lessee of an estate under the management of a
Court of Wards, to assign his interest as such tenant, farmer or
lessee;”

U.P.R.C. Act (U.P. Act No. 13 of 1972):

Section 3(g) defining family and section 12 have been quoted in

synopsis 2 of the chapter Vacancy Release and Allotment.

S. 20(2)

“A suit for the eviction of a tenant from a building after the

determination of his tenancy may be instituted on one or more of the
following grounds, namely:

(a) to (d)………

(e) that the tenant has sub-let, in contravention of the provisions of

Section 25, or as the case may be, of the old Act the whole or any
part of the building.

(f), (g)……….

S. 21 (1) Explanation (i)

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 “Section 21 (1) Explanation– in the case of a residential building:-

(i) where the tenant or any member of his family (who has
been normally residing with or is wholly dependent on
him) has built or has otherwise acquired in a vacant state
or has got vacated after acquisition a residential building
in the same city, municipality, notified area or town area,
no objection by the tenant against an application under
this sub-section shall be entertained;
Note- For the purposes of this clause a person shall be
deemed to have otherwise acquired a building, if he is
occupying a public building for residential purposes as a
tenant, allottee or licensee.”

`S. 25:

“Prohibition of sub-letting – (1) No tenant shall sub-let the whole of

the building under his tenancy.

(2) the tenant may, with the permission in writing of the landlord
and or the District Magistrate, sub-let a part of the building.

Explanation – For the purposes of this section -

(i) Where the tenant ceases, within the meaning of clause (b) of sub-
section (1) of sub-section (2) of Section 12, to occupy the building
or any part thereof, he shall be deemed to have sub-let that
building or part;
(ii) Lodging a person in a hotel or a lodging house shall not amount to
sub-letting. ”

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 2. BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF ACT AND DISCONTINUANCE:

Even if sub letting takes place before commencement of

the current or old Rent Control Act, still it is a ground of
eviction under the Act, as 'has sublet' do not mean that sub
letting shall take place after the commencement of the Act
vide Gappulal3.
However, the words, "has sublet" (used in Section 20 (2)(e)
of U.P. Rent Control Act) do not mean that sub-letting shall
continue until filing of the suit. Even if it has discontinued by
then still it remains a ground for eviction vide Gajanan5 and
Gurbachan Singh58. In Gappulal3 it was observed in the
passing that the verb has means that the thing must have
relation with the present. In Gajanan5 it was clarified that as
in Gappulal3 the sub tenancy was continuing till the end
hence the effect of its discontinuance before filing of the suit
was not in issue accordingly it could not be said that it was
laid down therein that in case sub tenancy discontinued before
filing of the suit, it ceased to be a ground of eviction. It is
provided under H.P. Rent Control Act [Section 14(3) (iv)] that
under the following contingency tenant may be evicted:-
“The tenant has, whether before or after the
commencement of this Act, built or acquired vacant
possession of or been allotted a residence reasonably
sufficient for his requirements.”
Supreme Court in Dewan Chand28 has held that surrender
of allotted residence cannot save the tenant from eviction.
In Siddharth Vijas68, over ruling a five judges Full Bench of

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Allahabad High Court reported in Mangi Lal v. ADJ, 1980 ARC
55, it has been held that the words „has bult‟ or „has otherwise
acquired‟ used in Explanation (i) to section 21 (1) and the words
„builds‟ or „otherwise acquires‟ used in Section 12(3) of U.P.R.C.
Act are retrospective and will include acquisition (or building) of
another accommodation by the tenant before the applicability of
the Act on the tenanted building and it will become vacant.
Accordingly even if sub-letting in any form as defined under the
Act takes place before the Act applied on the tenanted building
(during continuance of exemption period), the tenant would be
liable to eviction on the ground of sub-letting after the Act
applies to the building. (See also synopsis 4, „Inception and
Continuance of vacancy‟ of the chapter „Vacancy, Release and
Allotment.)

4. CONSENT, WRITTEN PERMISSION AND WAIVER:

As most of the Rent Control Acts including section 25 of
U.P. Rent Control Act use the words consent (or permission) in
writing for sub-letting hence oral permission even if it is proved
is of no help to the tenant. Similarly, inaction of the landlord to
initiate eviction proceedings for a long time even after coming to
know about the sub-letting is not fatal.
In Shalimar13 under Delhi Rent Control Act it has been held
that the provision of written permission is mandatory and based
upon public policy, hence, landlord cannot waive it. Accordingly,
no amount of knowledge, inaction or even oral consent can save
the tenant from eviction on the ground of sub-letting (or parting

9
with possession) in the absence of written permission of the
landlord. Same view has been taken in Duli Chand25 and
Vaishakhi Ram61 under Delhi Rent Control Act. In Hiralal
Kapoor14, also under Delhi R.C. Act, part of rent had been paid
through cheque by a registered society of which tenant was
secretary, still it was held that such acceptance of rent did not
mean that tenancy was created in favour of society with the
concurrence of landlord. In this case tenant had argued that
after few years of tenancy in his favour, a fresh tenancy of part
of the tenanted accommodation had been created in favour of
the society with the concurrence of landlord. However in Hem
Chand46, also under Delhi R.C. Act, relief of possession was
denied to the landlord on the ground that he had admitted that
some sub tenants had been inducted with his consent. It is only
a half page judgment. It does not say written consent but by
reading the whole judgment it appears that for 6 out of 8 sub-
tenants there was written consent hence those 6 sub-tenants
were not directed to be evicted. (For further discussion of this
judgment see Synopsis 7C)
In Shanti Lal23,(under West Bengal R.C. Act) landlord had
permitted in writing (through lease deed) to sublet, still it was
held that written permission of the landlord before sub-letting of
each portion of the tenanted accommodation to different
subtenants indicating their names was essential and in the
absence of such specific written permission, general written
permission was meaningless and tenant was liable to eviction
on the ground of sub-letting. In Shalimar13, under Delhi R.C.
Act, also it has been held in para 7 that the consent must be to

10
the specific sub-letting. In Pulin Bihari26, Silver Line37 and
Biswanath Poddar45 ( under West Bengal Rent Control Act) also it
has been held that written permission of landlord is essential
and landlord shall also be notified and in the absence of either
of these, mere acceptance of rent and knowledge of sub-letting
by the landlord does not amount to waiver. In Biswanath
Poddar45 it has also been held that written deed between tenant
and sub tenant recording that landlord had permitted sub-letting
is not binding upon landlord and is meaningless. West Bengal Rent
Control Act, unlike R.C. Acts of other State, is subject to the
contract to the contrary. Still in Biswanath Poddar45 relying upon
Shanti Lal23 and Silverline37 it was held that even if there is some
oral permission of landlord for sub-letting it is meaningless (paras
14 and 15).
In Gurdial Singh48 (under Panjab R.C. Act) also it has been
held that oral permission for sub-letting is of no value (Para 12).
Under Kerala R.C. Act „Consent of the landlord‟ is not required to
be in writing. However in P. John Chandy49 interpreting the said
provision it has been held that “But inaction in every case does not
necessarily lead to an inference of implied consent or acquiescence”
(para 9). In that case sub-tenancies of different portions were
continuing for 8 to 11 years before initiation of eviction proceeding
still eviction was ordered.

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 5. HOW TO BE PROVED

A. Exclusive possession, proof of sub-tenancy:

Sub-letting (or letting) is not defined under Rent Control Acts of

different States, hence, general definition of lease given under Section
105 of Transfer of Property Act can be adopted vide Dipak Banerjee12
(para 9), Mahendra Sarees53 Emporium and Celina Coelko64. (For position
under U.P.R.C. Act see sub synopsis F)

By virtue of Section 107 of Transfer of Property Act, tenancy (or

sub-tenancy) from month to month may be made by oral agreement (or
written agreement in U.P.) accompanied by delivery of possession.

Accordingly, in order to prove sub-letting three things are required

to be proved – agreement, delivery of possession and valuable
consideration / rent. (Executing registered instrument for illegal sub-
letting is unthinkable.) However, as sub-letting is prohibited under Rent
Control Acts and is a ground for eviction, hence, the agreement/
transaction is entered into in a clandestine manner and rent is also paid
by the subtenant to the tenant secretly, so that, landlord may not know
it. Accordingly, it has been held that in most of the cases it is only
exclusive possession of the subtenant which is required to be proved by
the landlord and neither it is necessary nor it is possible for the landlord
to prove by direct affirmative evidence the agreement of sub-letting and
payment of rent, vide Associated Hotels2 (Paras 5 and 6), Dipak Banerji12
(paras 6 and 7), Shalimar13 (paras 16 and 18), Rajbir Kaur17 (para 23),
Gopal Saran19 (para 16), Roop Chand20 (para 8), Duli Chand25 (paras 2 to
4), United Bank of India29 (paras 6 to 10), S.A. Vengadamma35 (para 3),
Bharat Sales36 (para 4), Shama Prashant44 (para 5 towards end), M/s

12
Mahendra Saree53 (Para 16), Joginder Singh55 (paras 13 to 23),
Vaishakhi Ram61 (para 11) Nirmal Kanta62 (para 12), Shashi Jain63 (para
19) Celina Coelho64 [(para 28(i)(v)(vi)] Vinay Kishore65 (paras 17 to 19) and
S.F. Engineer66 (paras 16 to 22). In the last two authorities most of the
earlier authorities have been considered.

In Vinay Kishore65, it has been held that it would not be possible

for the landlord to prove payment of monetary consideration by direct
evidence rather it would be impossible (paras 17 and 19).

In Mahendra Saree53 it has been held in para 16 as follows:

“…..The exact nature of transaction entered into or

arrangement or understanding arrived at between the tenant and
alleged sub-tenant may not be in the knowledge of the landlord
and such a transaction being unlawful would obviously be
entered into in secrecy depriving the owner-landlord of the means
of ascertaining the facts about the same. However still, the Rent
Control Legislation being protective for the tenant and eviction
being not permissible except on the availability of ground,
therefore, having been made out to the satisfaction of the Court or
the Controller the burden of proving the availability of the ground
is cast on the landlord, i.e. the one who seeks eviction……..Thus,
in the case of sub-letting, the onus lying on the landlord would
stand discharged by adducing prima facie proof of the fact that
the alleged sub-tenant was in exclusive possession of the
premises or, to borrow the language of Section 105 of the Transfer
of Property Act, was holding right to enjoy such property. A
presumption of sub-letting may then be raised and would amount
to proof unless rebutted…..”

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 In Bharat Sales36, the leading authority on the point, it was
mentioned in para 3 that the only point argued was that payment of rent
by subtenant to the tenant had not been proved. Thereafter in para 4 it
was held as follows:-

“Sub-tenancy or sub-letting comes into existence when the

tenant gives up possession of the tenanted accommodation, wholly
or in part, and puts another person in exclusive possession thereof.
This arrangement comes about obviously under a mutual agreement
or understanding between the tenant and the person to whom the
possession is so delivered. In this process, the landlord is kept out of
the scene. Rather, the scene is enacted behind the back of the
landlord, concealing the overt acts and transferring possession
clandestinely to a person who is an utter stranger to the landlord, in
the sense that the landlord had not let out the premises to that
person nor had he allowed or consented to his entering into
possession over the demised property. It is the actual, physical and
exclusive possession of that person, instead of the tenant, which
ultimately reveals to the landlord that the tenant to whom the
property was let out has put some other person into possession of
that property. In such a situation, it would be difficult for the
landlord to prove, by direct evidence, the contract or agreement or
understanding between the tenant and the subtenant. It would also
be difficult for the landlord to prove, by direct evidence, that the
person to whom the property had been sub-let had paid monetary
consideration to the tenant. Payment of rent, undoubtedly, is an
essential element of lease or sub-lease…………. Since payment of
rent or monetary consideration may have been made secretly, the
law does not require such payment to be proved by affirmative

14
 evidence and the Court is permitted to draw its own inference upon
the fact of the case proved at the trial, including the delivery of
exclusive possession to infer that the premises were sub-let.”

In the said case, it was argued that in United Bank of India29 it had
been held that payment of rent must be proved by direct affirmative
evidence, however, the contention was rejected holding that in the said
authority no such thing had been held (para 9). In United Bank of
India29, para 23 of Rajbir Kaur17 was quoted in para 6 holding that sub-
tenancy is created in clandestine manner and in most of the cases,
exclusive possession of someone else gives rise to the presumption of
monetary consideration and sub-letting.

In some cases, question of payment of rent was also considered

but it was only with a view to find out as to whether exclusive possession
had been given to the subtenant or not. In some cases, payment of
consideration was proved/ admitted but it was argued on behalf of
tenants/subtenants that it was not rent but only license fees.

One or two sentences in para6 of Associated Hotels2 and para 13

of Rajbir Kumar17 give an impression that it has been held by the
Supreme Court that exclusive possession is not conclusive proof of sub-
letting. However the correct interpretation is that appearance of
exclusive possession may not be conclusive and tenant /alleged sub-
tenant may show that the arrangement is only for permissive use and
licence in true sense. (See also next sub-synopsis)

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B. Exclusive Possession or Permissive user:

Every sort of occupation of or user by a third person of the

tenanted accommodation or part thereof is not exclusive possession
amounting to sub-letting. The possession of someone else in order to
warrant inference of sub-letting must be exclusive and legal with a right
to include and exclude anyone else; and the tenant must have ceased to
retain any legal possession thereof or control thereupon, vide Jagdish
Prasad7, Jagan Nath16, Gopal Saran19, Delhi Stationers24, United Bank of
India29, (in these authorities, user and occupation was held not to be
exclusive possession), Shalimar13 and Janki Devi27 (in both these
authorities it was held that the arrangement amounted to parting with
exclusive possession and it was not mere permissive user and
occupation). In M/s Delhi Stationers24 it was held that, “Parting of the
legal possession means possession with the right to include and also a
right to exclude others. Mere occupation is not sufficient to infer either sub-
tenancy or parting with possession” (quoted in para 9 of United Bank of
India29). In Shalimar13, it was held that physical possession of someone
else was not sufficient, there must be legal possession (para 12). In
Gopal Saran19, para 20, it was held that much depends upon the quality
of occupation given to the alleged sub-tenant. In Jagdish Prasad7 it was
held that mere presence of some stranger in the tenanted shop could
not lead to inference of sub-letting as he could be customer, agent,
friend etc. It was specifically held in para 2 “As long as control over the
business is kept by the tenant and the business run in the premises is of
the tenant sub-letting flowing from the presence of a person other than the
tenant in the shop cannot be assumed.”
Sometimes, in order to disguise and camouflage sub-letting
outward appearance of licence is given to the sub-letting and the rent is

16
described as licence fees. The deed if executed is obviously drafted in a
claver manner. The landlord not being a party to the deed is not bound
by its recitals. In such cases also nature and quality of possession of the
alleged sub-tenant is decisive vide Associated Hotels2 and Rajbir Kaur17
(Paras 10 to 13) (See also sub-synopsis D)

C. Whether Parting with possession and assignment different from

sub-letting:

Under Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958, one of the grounds for eviction
of tenant is provided under Section 14(1)(b) in the following manner.

“That the tenant has on or after 9 th day of June, 1952 sublet,

assigned or otherwise parted with the possession of the whole or
any part of the premises without obtaining the consent in writing of
the landlord.”

Interpreting the above provision it was held in para 6 of Jagan

Nath16 as follows:-

“There is also no evidence that there has been any sub-letting or

assignment. The only ground perhaps upon which the landlord was
seeking eviction was parting with possession”.

Same view was taken in Duli Chand25 (para 2), relying upon Jagan
Nath16 in para 3.

Section 13 (1) (e) of Rajasthan Rent Control Act and section 13(1)(a)
of West Bengal Rent Control Act are almost pari materia with Section
14(1)(b) of Delhi Rent Control Act. Similar view has also been taken in

17
respect of Rajasthan Rent Control Act in Roop Chand holding in para 8
as follows:-

“Consequently even if a tenant parts with possession of the whole or

any part of the premises without assigning or sub-letting the
premises, he would still be liable to be evicted from the premises
under the Act.”

In these authorities clear distinction has been drawn between sub-

letting and parting with possession or assignment. It is submitted that
correct interpretation is that the Legislature has treated parting with
possession or assignment as a facet of sub-letting; rather a mode of
proving the same. Keeping in view the difficulty of proving agreement
and settlement/ payment of rent in between tenant and sub-tenant, two
of the three essential requirements of letting /sub-letting, (as mentioned
under sub synopsis A), the Legislature equated parting with possession
or assignment with sub – letting. In Vaishakhi Ram61 under Delhi R.C.
Act parting with possession has been equated with sub-letting.

(Jagan Nath16 and Dulichand25 have also been discussed in the

next sub-synopis-D and E and Roop Chand in Synopsis 6D)

D. Possession of Family members and other Relations:

As far as spouse and children are concerned in Krishnawati4 and

Jagan Nath16 it has been held that their exclusive possession of the
tenanted shops did not amount to parting with possession / sub-letting.
However, contrary view has been taken in Duli Chand25, Joginder Singh55
and M. Kasam40. (These three authorities also relate to shops).

18
 It is submitted that in case of possession of spouse and children
there is no question of any sub-letting. To hold otherwise will be against
common sense. In Krishnawati4, a judgment by three judges, under Delhi
Rent Control Act, it was found that a lady had taken the shop on rent
and the man who was residing with her as husband was, since inception
of tenancy, running the business from the tenanted shop with occasional
help of the lady tenant. The Supreme Court reversing the judgment of the
High Court firstly held that whether both were legally married or not
could not be decided in eviction proceedings. Regarding sub-letting it was
held in para 5 as follows:

“If two persons live together in a house as husband and wife and
one of them who owns the house allows the other to carry on
business in a part of it, it will be in the absence of any other
evidence a rash inference to draw that the owner has let out that
part of the premises and that is what the learned single judge has
done in the present case.”

Thereafter it was more emphatically held in para 8 as follows:

“The basic facts in the present case were (1) the appellant
and Sohan Singh were living as husband and wife to the
knowledge of the respondent; (2) the appellant took the lease of
the shop premises from the respondent in 1959; (3) from the time
of the letting a Chemist‟s business was carried on in the shop by
Sohan Singh with the occasional help of the appellant. The
question to be determined was whether in the above
circumstances it was likely that the appellant had sub-let the
premises to Sohan Singh. The negative answer given to it by the

19
 Rent Courts is merely the factual commonsense inference which
did not call for the application of any principle of law.”

Similarly in Jagan Nath16 the tenant had retired from business and
the same was thereafter run by his sons. It was held after referring to
Krishnawati4 that it did not amount to sub-letting. However, in para 6 it
was held as follows:-

“…………..user by other person is not parting with

possession so long as the tenant retains the legal possession
himself, or in other words there must be vesting of possession
by the tenant in another person by divesting himself not only of
physical possession but also of the right to possession. So long
as the tenant retains the right to possession there is no parting
with possession in terms of Cl. (b) of S. 14(1) of the Act. Even
though the father had retired from the business and the sons had
been looking after the business in the facts of this case, it cannot
be said that the father had divested himself of the legal right to be
in possession. If the father has a right to displace the possession
of the occupants, i.e., his sons, it cannot be said that the tenant
had parted with possession.”

It is not clear that on what basis the observations contained in

the last two sentences were made. In the earlier part of the judgment
it was noticed that the other tenant had retired from business and
allowed his two sons who constituted a firm to do the business.
Moreover, the theory of „retaining right to possession‟ or „legal right to
possession‟ or „right to displace the possession of the occupant‟ is
concerned it is rather shaky. Every tenant-in-chief has right to
dispossess his subtenant, whether such tenancy is valid or not.

20
 As far as Duli Chand25 is concerned, in this case the natural son of
the tenant was exclusively running the business from the tenanted shop.
The son had been given in adoption to another person but the legalities
of adoption were not complete. In view of this it was held that sub-letting
came into existence.

However, as far as Joginder Singh55 and M. Kasam40 are concerned,

it is submitted that it is not possible to reconcile these authorities with
larger bench authority of Krishnawati4 and Jagan Nath16. In Joginder
Singh55 son of the tenant was running the business and in M. Kasam40
father had retired from business and partnership and his sons, the
remaining partners, were running the business. In both the cases sub-
letting was held to have taken place. In Joginder Singh55 neither
Krishnawati4 nor Jagan Nath16 was considered. However, in M. Kasam40
both the authorities were considered. In fact as mentioned in the
beginning of its para 7, the High Court had mainly relied upon Jagan
Nath16. It is submitted that Jagan Nath16 was not distinguishable on
facts in the least. To use the terminology of Krishnawati4, the inference of
sub-letting drawn in M. Kasam40 is rash and against common sense.

In respect of other relations like brother, sister, brother-in-law

etc. the consistent view is that if in the tenanted house they live along
with the tenant, there is no parting with possession /sub-tenancy vide
Ganesh Trivedi47 (brother residing with the tenant) and M/s Delhi
Stationers24 (brother-in-law who was tenant of the adjoining portion of
the same landlord was permitted by the tenant to jointly use the
kitchen and latrine).

However, if such relation exclusively occupies the tenanted house

and the tenant permanently shifts his residence elsewhere then it is

21
parting with possession /ceasing to occupy/sub-letting, vide Bhairab15
and S.A. Vengadamma35 (in each of these cases bother of the tenant
alone was residing) and Kailashbhai56 (cousin of tenant‟s late husband
alone was residing). Ganesh Trivedi47 and S.A. Vengadamma35 are under
U.P. and Karnataka Rent Control Acts respectively each of which defines
family which does not include brother.

In Vaishakhi Ram61 some distant relations of the tenant,

other than spouse, children, brother and sister were doing independent
business in a part of tenanted shop. It was held to be sub-letting /
parting with possession. In Mahendra Saree Emporium53 the tenant
entered into partnership with brothers, wife of one of the brothers and a
cousin. It was held not to be sub-letting. If it had been a case under U.P.
Rent Control Act constitution of the firm would have amounted to sub-
letting. By virtue of section 12(2) and Explanation (i) to Section 25 of
U.P.R.C.Act, partnership with non-family member gives rise to sub-
letting of commercial accommodation. Son-in-law is not family member
as per definition of family under Section 3(g). Accordingly partnership
with son –in-law by one of the tenants in the business run by him in part
of the tenanted accommodation amounts to vacancy [under Section
12(4)] and sub-letting, of whole accommodation vide Harish Tandon30.

(See also under „Firm‟, infra).

Resham Singh42 had special feature of its own. The tenant of the
shop was involved in a criminal case and was absconding. In his absence
his brother was looking after the business carried out from the tenanted
shop. It was held not to be sub-letting.

22
E. Specific Instances(Brief Facts)

E. (a) Possession of third party, Sub-letting found proved:

In Associated Hotels of India2, the first leading authority on sub-

letting it was held that ordinarily giving a room of a hotel does not
amount to sub-letting but in the said case it was held to amount to sub-
letting as the subtenant had been given exclusive possession of the
room of the hotel where he was having his showroom. (Similar is the
position under U.P. R.C. Act by virtue of Explanation (ii) to its section
25). The argument on behalf of the tenant that it was only a license was
not accepted. The tenant had admitted that document was executed
regarding the arrangement but the same was not filed by him.

In Rajbir Kaur17, under East Punjab Rent Control Act, part of the
tenanted commercial accommodation had been given by the tenant to
an ice-cream vendor. It was held that it amounted to sub-letting of the
entire premises.

In Duli Chand25, under Delhi Rent Control Act, even though son of
the tenant was running the business, still it was held that the tenant
had parted with the possession to the son, hence, he was liable to
eviction under Section 14(1) (b) of Delhi Rent Control Act. In this case
some evidence had been adduced to show that the son had been given
in adoption to another family. Even though adoption was not fully
proved still Supreme Court held that the said evidence was relevant and
sufficient to hold that there was no joint Hindu family in between the
tenant and his natural son. Jagan Nath16, supra (previous sub-synopsis)
was distinguished on the ground that in the said case tenant had a right

23
to displace the son. In Duli Chand25, it was further found that the tenant
along with his younger son was working at another shop.

In Shama Prashant44, subtenant was found in exclusive possession

and giving rent to the tenant under an agreement, hence, it was held
that it amounted to sub-letting.

For brief facts of Bhairab15, S.A. Vengadamma35, Kailashbai56,

Vaishakhi Ram61, Harish Tandon30, M. Kasam40 and Joginder Singh55 see
previous sub-synopsis D; of Celina Coelho64 and Parvinder52 synopsis
6B; of Janki Devi27 and Ram Saran33 synopsis 6C and of Shalimar13 and
Roop Chand 20 synopsis 6D.

E. (b) Occupation of third party, Sub-letting not found proved:

In Jagdish Prasad7, under U.P. Rent Control Act, it was held that
mere presence of another person at the shop did not amount to sub-
letting as the said person could be customer, agent, friend etc. In this
case the landlord had taken photograph of a stranger at the tenanted
shop and the photograph was main rather sole evidence of sub-letting
adduced by the landlord.

In Deepak Banarjee12, under West Bengal Rent Control Act, it was

found that another person was doing work on sewing machine in a part
of the tenanted shop. It was held that it did not amount to sub-letting.
Exactly, similar was the position in Nirmala Kanta62, under East Punjab
Rent Control Act. Here also another person was operating sewing
machine inside a part of the tenanted shop, it was held that there was no
sub-letting.

In Gopal Saran19, under Rajasthan Rent Control Act, the tenant

had permitted another person / concern to place its signboard at the roof
24
of the tenanted accommodation. After considering 13 authorities, 9
Indian and 4 foreign, it was held that this arrangement was neither grant
of exclusive right nor parting of legal possession, hence, it did not
amount to sub-letting.

In United Bank of India29, under West Bengal Rent Control Act, the
bank was tenant and its management had given a portion of the
tenanted accommodation to its union. It was held that the bank retained
control over the same, hence, it could not be said that exclusive
possession had been given to the union.

In Dev Kumar32, under East Punjab Rent Control Act, it was found
that in the tenanted accommodation, the tenant was carrying on his
business and the alleged subtenant firm was also carrying its business,
hence, it was not sub-letting.

In Kala39, under Himachal Pradesh Rent Control Act, it was found

that the alleged subtenant was assisting the widow of the deceased
tenant in the business as well as in the house and orchard. Even though
business had also been changed after the death of the original tenant,
still it was held that the arrangement did not amount to sub-letting.

For brief facts of Ganesh Trivedi47, Krishnawati4, Delhi Stationers24,

Resham Singh42, see previous sub-synopsis D and of Helper Girdhari
Bhai11, P.A. Thomas22, G.K. Bhatnagar50, Amar Nath59 and Dev Kumar 32

synopsis 6B.

F. Position under U.P.R.C. Act less complicated:

Keeping in view the difficulties in proving illegal sub-letting the

U.P. Legislature has adopted a pragmatic approach which avoids
invoking and applying the principles evolved by the Supreme Court in
25
this regard (see earlier sub synopsis A to E and next synopsis 6B). In
view of sections 12(1)(b), 25 Explanation (i) of U.P.R.C. Act occupation
by a person who is not family member of tenant amounts to sub-letting.
Nothing alse i.e. agreement and payment of rent is required to be
proved. However the word „occupy‟ used in section 12(1)(b) means
exclusive possession and not permissive user vide Jagdish7 and Ganesh
Trivedi47 (see earlier sub-synopsis A, B, D & E). Similarly admitting a
non-family member (even son in law) as partner in business ipso facto
amounts to sub-letting in view of Section 12(2) & Explanation (i) to
Section 25 vide Harish Tandon30. In this regard not even actual
possession is required to be shown.

6. COMPANY, FIRM, SOCIETY AND BLUB

A. Company:

If a company is wound up by the High Court and the official

liquidator auctions the company‟s assets including lease hold right in a
tenanted accommodation, it amounts to sub-letting vide Paras Ram6.

If two companies merge together in amalgamation proceedings by

the High Court under Sections 391 and 394 of Companies Act and the
newly constituted company carries on the business from the premises of
which one of the constituent companies was tenant then it amounts to
sub-letting as the new company which comes into existence after
amalgamation of two companies is distinct and separate from its
constituent companies vide General Radio and Appliances8 and Singer
India54.

26
 If all the partners of a firm constitute a company and the business
carried out from a tenanted accommodation earlier by the firm is done by
the company from the same premises then it does not amount to sub-
letting as the company is only an alter ego of the firm vide M/s Madras
Bangalore Transport Company9 (3 judges). However, in case of conversion
of partnership into company if all the directors of the company were not
partners of the firm then it amounts to sub-letting vide Sait Nagjee57.

If under a statue a company merges into a corporation and it is

provided under the statute that the corporation would be the tenant of
the premises of which the company was tenant then it does not amount
to sub-letting vide Hindustan Petroleum18 and G. Sridharamurti31 (3
judges) (the earlier authority of Paras Ram6 distinguished.) In both these
cases Esso was tenant which merged into Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation under Esso (Acquisition of undertaking in India) Act 1974.

If a proprietorship is converted into private company, unless it is

shown that the tenant is actually controlling and managing business of
the company, it will amount to sub-letting irrespective of the fact that the
tenant is majority shareholder and theory of lifting of veil will not be
applicable vide Santosh Ajit60.

Transfer of business and lease hold interest in the accommodation

in which the business is carried on by a foreign company to Indian
company amounts to sub-letting of the accommodation even though it
may have been done under compulsion, due to the restrictions imposed
by FERA vide Cox & Kings34. See also Roop Chand20 under last sub-
synopsis „Club‟.

27
 If a company occupies a building which was earlier in occupation of
an unregistered society as licencee/tenant then unless it is shown that
all the members of the unregistered body became members of the
company, the company cannot claim to be successor of the former in
respect of licence / tenancy of the building vide Electrical Cables38.

B. Firm:

In order to conceal and camouflage sub-letting of business

premises more often than not fake partnership is created. Accordingly in
such situation it has to be seen as to whether partnership is genuine or
not and whether alleged subtenant firm has been handed over exclusive
possession of the accommodation or part thereof or not, vide Helper
Girdhar Bhai11, Parvinder Singh52 and Mahendra Saree53 (para 16 latter
part, noticing both the earlier authorities).

Following cases deal with genuine partnerships:

In Helper Girdhar Bhai11 under Bombay Rent Control Act, it was

found that the tenant was partner in the firm which had been created
after the start of the tenancy and the firm was genuine, hence, it was not
a case of sub-letting. Similarly, in P.A. Thomas22, where tenant had
erected a structure over the leased land with the permission of the
landlord and a firm was carrying on business from a part of the said
accommodation, it was held that there was no sub-letting. In G.K.
Bhatnagar50 the partnership entered into after creation of the tenancy,
was found to be genuine, hence, it was held that it was not a case of sub-
letting. In Amar Nath59 partnership firm was tenant which was
afterwards dissolved and a new firm was created. It was found that legal
possession was retained by one partner of the new firm who was also one

28
of the partners of the original firm which took the premises on rent,
hence, it was not a case of sub-letting. In Dev Kumar32, it was found that
the tenant was carrying on his own business from the accommodation in
dispute and along with that the alleged subtenant firm was also carrying
on its business, hence, it did not amount to sub-letting.

Following are the cases where partnerships were found to be fake

and device to conceal sub-letting:

In Celina Coelho64, it was found that the partnership was not

genuine and it was a case of sub-letting. Similarly, in Parvinder Singh52,
it was held that creation of partnership amounted to sub-letting. In Vinai
Kishor65, partnership was altogether changed even though the name of
the new firm was slightly changed but it was quite deceptive. The name
of the earlier firm was Bhumi Kalpatru and the name of the new firm was
Shri Bhumi Kalpatru, partners of both the firms were altogether
different. It was held that it amounted to sub-letting.

As far as the question of partnership with family members is

concerned, in Jagannath16 a partnership firm consisting of members of
joint Hindu family was tenant. Father retired from the partnership
leaving the business in the hands of the sons. It was held that still father
retained legal possession, hence, it was not a case of sub-letting.
However, this authority was distinguished in M. Kasam40 and it was
held that if father retires from the firm which was the tenant then it
amounts to sub-letting. In Mahendra Saree53 it was held that family of
the tenant consisting of 16 members including cousin was joint and
dependent upon the income from the business carried out from the
tenanted accommodation as sole proprietorship of the tenant which was
later on converted into partnership in which the tenant, his brothers,

29
wife of one of the brothers and a cousin were partners which did not
amount to sub-letting as tenant had not disassociated with new business
and no stranger was partner in the newly created firm.

As far as position under U.P. Rent Control Act is concerned, it is

provided under section 12(2) read with Section 25 of U.P. Rent Control
Act that if a tenant admits a person who is not a member of his family,
as a partner or a new partner it amounts to cessation of occupation and
sub-letting. In Harish Tandon30, one of the tenants (being one of the sons
of the deceased tenant) who was also carrying on business from a part of
the tenanted accommodation (while his other brothers were carrying on
business from other parts of the tenanted accommodation) admitted his
son-in-law as partner in the firm constituted for doing the said business.
Supreme Court held that son-in-law not being a family member under
the Act, the arrangement amounted to sub-letting and the entire body of
the tenants, even though other sons of the original tenant had not done
anything prohibited under the Act, was liable to eviction.

C. Society:

In Janki Devi27 building was let out to the appellant Janki Devi to
run school. The school which was established there was run by a
registered society of which Janki Devi the tenant was secretary. It was
argued on behalf of the tenant that she retained juridical possession of
the premises. The Supreme Court rejected the contention and held the
sub-letting to be proved. It found that under the Rules and Regulations
of the Society managing body, consisting of seven members, was to be
elected by the general body every year and managing body elected
Secretary from amongst its members. Accordingly it was held that legal

30
possession did not remain with the tenant. Shalimar13, Madras
Bangalore Transport Co9. and Helper Girdhar Bhai11 were distinguished.

In Ram Saran33 the tenant had sub-let the shop to a registered

society of which he was also a member. Sub-letting was found proved
and it was held that as per memorandum of Association of the Society
any member including the tenant could be removed. Apart from the
authorities distinguished in the above case of Janki Devi27, the
authorities reported in Roop Chand20 (see under next sub-synopsis,
Club) and Dipak Banerjee12, were also distinguished.

In Hira Lal14 the tenant had allowed part of the accommodation to

be used by a trust Bal Kunj which was a registered society of which the
tenant was secretary. Part of rent was paid through cheque by the
society. Still it was held that it did not mean that tenancy was created in
favour of Bal Kunj with the concurrence of landlord. It was further held
that tenancy was one. Eviction from the portion in occupation of Bal
Kunj was also ordered. (Eviction from the rest of the portion in actual
occupation of the tenant had already been ordered by the High Court on
the ground of bonafide need of the landlord). However in this case
question of sub-letting was not directly involved.

D. Club:

If a club, which is a registered company is allowed to function by

the tenant in the tenanted premises, it amounts to parting with
possession and tenant is liable to eviction vide Roop Chand20. In this
case registered office of the company running the club was also in the
premises in dispute and sign board of the club was also there.

31
 In para 13 of Ram Saran33 it was mentioned that in Shalimar13
“tenant allowed a club registered under the Companies Act to carry on its
activities in a major portion of the tenanted premises. The tenant himself
was also a member of the said club…….”. The statement is not correct as
in Shalimar13 no club was sub-tenant. In fact club which was a company
was sub tenant in Roop Chand20 which had been noticed in para 12 of
Ram Saran33.

7. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Service as Rent:

In Dipak Banerji12 it was held that under common law or Transfer

of Property Act service can be equivalent to rent but under Rent Control
Acts it cannot be treated to be rent paid by tenant to landlord or by
subtenant to chief tenant. In Utter Pradesh also the position will be the
same in spite of Section 20(2)( g), quoted below:-

„That the tenant was allowed to occupy the building as part

of his contract of employment under the landlord, and his
employment has ceased‟.

The reason is that under the above clause occupation of tenanted

building is only part of contract of employment and not the entire
consideration for service / employment.

B. Rights and liabilities inheritable:

In A.S. Sulochana10 it had been observed that heir of the tenant

cannot be punished for guilt or sin of his predecessor, original tenant
and thereafter it was held that if the tenant who sub let had died then
32
his son could not be evicted on the said ground. This general observation
was disapproved and overruled in Imdad Ali51 (para 16) (3 judges), which
was a case relating to default in payment of rent. In Parvinder Singh52(3
judges) it was held that tenant‟s heirs inherit tenancy as well as liability
of the deceased tenant, if any. It was specifically held that if original
tenant had sublet, his heirs would be liable to ejectment. Regarding A.S.
Sulochana10 which had been relied upon by the Courts below it was
observed in para 4 that the contrary view of the said authority had been
overruled in Imdad Ali51.
It is submitted that the view taken in A.S. Sulochana10 is only
partially correct. If under a Rent Control Act sub-letting ( or any other
action of the tenant) is ground of eviction as well as punishable then
after the death of the tenant who had sub-let, ( or done the other
offending action) his heirs would be liable to eviction but they would not
be punished. Civil liability is inherited by the heirs (to the extent of the
inherited property) but not the criminal liability. If a driver of a motor
vehicle causes an accident and is prosecuted for rash and negligent
driving and case for compensation under Motor Vehicle Act is also filed
then on his death criminal case abates but compensation case is
continued against his heirs.

C. Sub-letting of part of accommodation, and its effect:

Under Transfer of Property Act there cannot be splitting of

tenancy. However various States Rent Control Acts (including U.P. Rent
Control Act) permit eviction of tenant from part of accommodation in
case of bonafide need of landlord. In T.S. Subramainam21 it was held that
as Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act did not permit splitting of tenancy hence
on proof of bonafide need of landlord for part of accommodation, tenant

33
had to be evicted from the whole building. (See also synopsis 5D of
Bonafide need chapter). Similarly in Habibun Nisa43, under the same Act
(Tamil Nadu) it was held (after placing reliance upon S. Sanyal1) that in
case of denial of title of landlord in respect of part of tenanted
accommodation, tenant is to be evicted from the entire tenanted
accommodation not only the part, as under Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act
splitting of tenancy is not permissible. Accordingly in case of sub-letting
of part of accommodation, eviction is to be ordered of the tenant
(including sub-tenant) from the whole building vide Associated Hotels2,
Rajbir Kaur17, Harish Tandon30 and Vaishakhi Ram61.

However, in Hem Chand46, a half page judgment it was in para3 as

follows:

“….It appears from the pleadings that in the eviction petition the
landlord stated that out of 8 sub-tenants, six sub- tenants were
inducted into possession of different portions with his consent. If
that be so, neither the tenants nor the sub-tenants could have
been ordered to be evicted merely because one of the sub-tenants
was inducted into possession of a portion of tenanted premises
without the consent of the landlord…...”

It is submitted that the view is not correct as splitting of tenancy is

not permissible.

Most of the Rent Control acts provide that tenant is liable to

eviction in case of sub-letting of the tenanted accommodation whether it
of the whole or part of the accommodation. However even if only sub-
letting is provided as ground of eviction, position will be the same and
sub-letting of part of accommodation will be sufficient for eviction, and

34
that also from the whole building. In Dev Kumar32, under East Punjab
Rent Control Act it was found that the tenant, in the tenanted shop, was
carrying on his own independent business as well as transacting the
business of another firm, the alleged sub-tenant, as commission agent.
The Supreme Court after placing reliance upon interalia Rajbir Kaur17,
under the same R.C. Act held that lit did not amount to parting with
exclusive possession and sub-letting. However thereafter in para 11 it
was observed as follows:

“At the most, the conclusion can be that while the tenant
was continuing his own business as well as a business of
Commission Agent of M/s Ram Saran Bhola Nath, the respondent
nos. 2 to 4 have also been permitted to continue their business in
the name of Ram Saran Rattan Chand. But that does not
establish either the exclusive possession of respondents 2 to 4 or
that the tenant has parted with his possession. The exclusive
possession of the premises being the first criteria for establishing
subletting and the same not being established, the conclusion of
the High Court about subletting is vitiated.”

It is submitted that the above observation is not correct and is

directly in conflict with Rajbir Kaur17 where on the finding that a third
person, an ice cream vendor was also doing business in the tenanted
accommodation along with the tenant sub-letting was found proved.

D. Pleading:
In Virendra Kashinath41 through amendment following para was
added in the plaint by the land lord.

35
 “The plaintiffs say that pending the suit the defendants
have or any one of them has inducted in the suit premises
defendants no. 4 and 5 unlawfully”

The High Court held the pleading to be insufficient for sub-

letting. The Supreme Court reversed the finding and held the pleading
to be sufficient (para 14 and 16)

Para 29 of Celina Coelho64 is quoted below:

“29. The main question that falls to be determined in the present

case is: is High Court justified in non-suiting the landlord on the
ground that he has not pleaded that business of the firm M/s.
Mandovi Tours and Travels is not conducted by its partners, but
by Balaji Lawande and Netravalkar and that tenant has parted
with the premises by sub-letting the same to these two persons
under the garb of deed of partnership by constituting a bogus
firm ? In our judgment, the answer have to be in negative. In the
plaint, the landlord averred that the tenant has sub-let the
premises to M/s. Mandovi Tours and Travels, a partnership
concern, without his permission and that the sub-lessee has been
exclusively running the business in the rented premises although
he has not pleaded specifically that the premises have been
sublet to Balaji Lawande and Netravalkar but such lack of
pleading cannot be held to be fatal. It has to be kept in mind that
a transaction such as sub-letting by tenant which is not
permissible under lease may be outwardly a deceptive
arrangement and landlord may not come to know of true facts.
The pleadings in such matters ought not to be construed too

36
 technically. The true test, as has been repeatedly said, is to see
whether the other side has been taken by surprise or prejudiced.”

It is obvious that as for proving sub-letting only exclusive

possession of alleged sub-tenant is to be shown (See synopsis 5A) hence
there is also no need to plead anything else like agreement or monitory
consideration. In Rajbir Kaur17 para 22 it has been held that bald
pleading of sub-letting is sufficient and it is not necessary to plead
monetary consideration.

E. Sub-tenant necessary party?

In Silver Line37 and Bishwanath Poddar45 (both under W.B. Rent

Control Act) it has also been held that sub-tenant is not a necessary
party in the suit and decree of eviction is binding on him. It has further
been elaborated that under West Bengal Rent Control Act only a valid
sub-tenant (inducted with previous consent in writing of the landlord
and thereafter notified to the landlord) is necessary party in eviction suit.

F. Mixed question of law and fact:

Sub-letting is a mixed question of law and fact. Facts found by

Courts of fact (trial court/authority and first appellate court/authority/
tribunal) cannot be interfered with in revision, second appeal, appeal to
the Supreme Court or by the High Court in exercise of writ jurisdiction
under Articles 226 or 227 of Constitution of India vide Hindustan
Petroleum67 (CB), Boorugu69 and Kasthuri70. However the inference of
sub letting or no sub-letting from proved facts is a question of law and a
wrong decision on this point can be corrected in revision, writ petition
etc. vide Dev Kumar32, Resham Singh42, Shama Prashant44, P. John49
and S.F. Engineer66. Part of para 28 of S.F. Engineer66 is quoted below:-

37
 “………As has been held by this Court, the issue of sub-
letting can be established on the basis of legitimate inference
drawn by a court. In P. John Chandy and Co. (P) Ltd. v. John P.
Thomas, AIR 2002 SC 2057 : (2002) 5 SCC 90, while dealing
with a controversy under the rent legislation arising under the
Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1965, it has been
ruled that drawing inference from the facts established is not
purely a question of fact. In fact, it is always considered to be a
point of law insofar as it relates to inferences to be drawn from
finding of fact. We entirely agree with the aforesaid view. When
inferences drawn do not clearly flow from facts and are not
legally legitimate, any conclusion arrived at on that basis
becomes absolutely legally fallible. Therefore, it cannot be said
that the High Court has erred in exercise of its revisional
jurisdiction by substituting the finding of fact which has been
arrived at by the courts below……”

G. West Bengal Rent Control Act provision applies to non –

residential building also:

Under Section 13(1)(a) of West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act

1956 the following is provided as a ground of eviction:

“Where the tenant or any person residing in the premises let

to the tenant without the previous consent in writing of the
landlord transfers, assigns or sub-lets in whole or in part the
premises held by him.”

38
 The Supreme Court in United Bank29 (paras 4 &5) has held that
the provision applies to the residential as well as non-residential
premises.

Table of Cases Chronologically

1. S. Sanyal v. Gian Chand AIR 1968 SC 438
2. Associated Hotels of India Ltd. v. S.B. Sardar Ranjit Singh, AIR
1968 SC 933
3. Gappulal v. Thakurji Shriji Dwarkadheeshji, AIR 1969 SC 1291 (3
Judges)
4. Krishnawati v. Hansraj, AIR 1974 SC 280 (3 Judges)
5. Gajanan Dattatraya v. Sherbanu Hosang Patel & ors. AIR 1975 SC
2156
6. M/S. Parasram Harnand Rao v. M/s. Shanti Parsad Narinder
Kumar Jain, AIR 1980 SC 1655
7. Jagdish Prasad v. Smt. Angoori Devi, AIR 1984 SC 1447
8. M/s. General Radio and Appliances Co. Ltd. v. M.A. Khader, AIR
1986 SC 1218 (3 judges)
9. M/s Madras Bangalore Transport Co. (West) v. Inder Singh AIR
1986 SC 1564
10. A.S. Sulochana v. C. Dharemalingam, AIR 1987 SC 242.
11. Helper Girdharbhai v. Saiyed Mohamad Mirasaheb Kadri, AIR 1987
SC 1782.
12. Dipak Banerjee v. Lilabati Chakraborty, AIR 1987 SC 2055.
13. M/s Shalimar Tar Products Ltd. v. H.C. Sharma, AIR 1988 SC 145
14. Hiralal Kapur v. Shri Prabhu Choudhury, AIR 1988 SC 852
15. Bhairab Chandra Nandan v. Ranadhir Chandra Dutta, AIR 1988
SC 396
39
16. Jagan Nath v. Chandar Bhan, AIR 1988 SC 1362
17. Smt. Rajbir Kaur v. M/S S. Chokesiri and Co., AIR 1988 SC1845.
18. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. Shyam co-operative
Housing Society, AIR 1989 SC 295
19. Gopal Saran v. Satyanarayan, AIR 1989 SC 1141
20. Roop Chand v. Gopi Chand Thelia, AIR 1989 SC 1416
21. Dr. T.S. Subramanian v. The Andhra Bank, AIR 1989 SC 1420 (3
judges)
22. P.A. Thomas and another v. M. Mohammed Tajuddin and others,
AIR 1989 SC 1658
23. Shantilal Rampuria and ors. v. M/s Vega Trading Corporation and
ors., AIR 1989 SC 1819
24. M/s Delhi Stationers and Printers v. Rajendra Kumar, AIR 1990 SC
1208
25. Duli Chand v. Jagmender Dass1990 (1) SCC 169
26. Pulin Behari Lal v. Mahadeb Dutte 1993 (1) SCC 629
27. Janki Devi v. G.C. Jain, 1994 (5) SCC 337
28. Dewan Chand Bhalla v. A.K. Bhoil, AIR 1995 SC 10
29. United Bank of India v. Cooks and Kelvey Properties (p) Ltd., AIR
1995 SC 380
30. Harish Tandon v. ADM AIR 1995 SC 676 (3 judges)
31. G. Sridharamurti v. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, AIR 1996
SC 264
32. Dev Kumar v. Swaran Lata, AIR 1996 SC 510
33. Ram Saran v. Pyare Lal, AIR 1996 SC 2361
34. Cox and Kings Ltd. v. Chander Malhotra, 1997(2) SCC 687 (3
judges)
35. S.A. Vengadamma v. Jitendra P. Vora 1997 (11) SCC 334

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36. M/s Bharat Sales v. L.I.C. AIR 1998 SC 1240
37. Silverline Forum Pvt. Ltd. v. Rajiv Trust, AIR 1998 SC 1754 (3
Judges)
38. Electrical Cable Development Association v. Arun 1998 (5) SCC 396
39. Kala v. Madho Prasad Vaidya, AIR 1998 SC 2773
40. M. Kasam Haji Gulam Bhai v. Bakerali Fatehali AIR 1998 SC 3214
41. Virendra Kashinath Ravat v. Vinayak N. Joshi, AIR 1999 SC 162
42. Resham Singh v. Raghbir Singh AIR 1999 SC 3087
43. Habibunnisa Begum V. G.D. Chettiar, AIR 2000 SC 152
44. Shama Prashant Raje v. Ganpatrao AIR 2000 SC 3094
45. Biswanath Poddar v. Archana Poddar, AIR 2001 SC 2849
46. Hem chand v. Hari Kishan Rastogi AIR 2001 SC 3975
47. Ganesh Trivedi v. Sundar Devi AIR 2002 SC 676
48. Gurdial Singh v. Raj Kumar Aneja AIR 2002 SC 1003
49. P. John Chandy & Co. v. John P. Thomas AIR 2002 SC 2057
50. G.K. Bhatnagar v. Abdul Alim 2002 (9) SCC 516
51. Imdad Ali v. Keshav Chand AIR 2003 SC 1863 (3 judges)
52. Parvinder Singh v. Renu Gautam AIR 2004 SC 2299
53. M/s Mahindra Saree Emporium v. G.V. Srinivasa Murthy AIR 2004
SC 4289
54. Singer India Ltd. v. Chander Mohan Chadha AIR 2004 SC 4368
55. Joginder Singh Sodhi v. Amar Kaur 2005 (1) SCC 31
56. Kailasbhai S. Tiwari v. Jostna Laxmidas Pujari AIR 2006 SC 741
57. M/s Sait Nagjee Purushottam v. Vimalbai Prabhulal AIR 2006 SC
770
58. Gurbachan Singh v. Ram Niwas AIR 2006 SC 2204
59. Amar Nath Agarwalla v. Dhilon Transport Agency AIR 2007 SC
2402

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60. Santosh Ajit Sachdeva v. Anoopi Shahani AIR 2007 SC 3231
61. Vaishakhi Ram v. Sanjeev Kumar Bhatiani AIR 2008 SC 1585
62. Smt. Nirmala Kanta v. Ashok Kumar, AIR 2008 SC 1785
63. Shashi Jain v. Tarsem Lal, AIR 2009 SC 2617
64. Celina Coelho Pereira v. Ulhas Mahabaleshwar Kholkar, AIR 2010
SC 603
65. Vinaykishore Punamchand Mundhada v. Bhumi Kalpatru 2010 (9)
SCC 129
66. S.F. Engineer v. Metal Box India Ltd. AIR 2014 SC 2189
67. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. Dilbahar Singh, AIR 2014
SC 3708 (C.B.)
68. Sri Sidhharth Viyas v. Ravi Nath Misra, AIR 2015 SC 434
69. Boorugu Mahadev & Sons v. Sirigiri Narasing Rao, AIR 2016 SC
433
70. Tmt. Kasthuri Radhakrishan v. M. Chinniyan, AIR 2016 SC 609

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