Full Order Text
Final Order 2 · 21 Jan 2026 · CNR MHSCA30006992024
Order Details: Copy of Judgment Pdf Text: ..1.. Presented on : 27/06/2024 Registered on : 07/08/2024 Decided on : 21/01/2026 Duration : Year Months Days 1 5 14 IN THE COURT OF SMALL CAUSES AT BOMBAY (BANDRA BRANCH) R. A. E. & R. SUIT NO. 256 OF 2024 (CNR-MHSCA-3000699-2024) Mr. Mahesh Hari Pawar, Age: 50 years, Occupation: Service, of Mumbai, Indian Inhabitant, Residing at Room No. 1, Shakuntala Hari Pawar Chawl, Chawl No. 77, Service Road, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069. Mob. No.: 8108404383. Email ID – N.A. … Plaintiff. Versus 1. Mr. Salim Shaikh @ Sultan Babu Shaikh, Aged about 55 years, Occupation: Service, Residing at Room No. 20, Hawaldar Chawl, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069. Mob. No.: Not known. Email ID: Not known. 2. Mr. Ranjit Tulsiram Saroj, Age and Occupation: Not known, Residing at Room No. 2, /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 1 of 16 -- ..2.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 Shakuntala Hari Pawar Chawl, Chawl No. 77, Service Road, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069. Mob. No.: Not known. Email ID: Not known. ...Defendants. Appearance:- Smt. S. A. Mishra ....Ld. Advocate for the Plaintiff. Suit proceeded ex-parte against the Defendants. Coram : Date : R. R. Kale, Judge, C.R. No. 36 (B.B.) 21/01/2026. JUDGMENT:- Present suit is filed for eviction on the grounds of arrears of rent, bonafide and reasonable requirement; non user and subletting under the provisions of Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 (For short ‘the Rent Act.'). 2. In brief, the case of the plaintiff is as under:- (A) The plaintiff is the landlord of the chawl consisting of 4 rooms, being Shakuntala Hari Pawar Chawl, Chawl No. 77, Service Road, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069 (hereinafter for the sake of brevity referred to as the ‘suit chawl’). Prior to termination of tenancy, the defendant No. 1 was the original tenant of the room premises being Room No. 2, admeasuring 10’ ft. x 15’ ft. (hereinafter referred to as the ‘suit premises’ for the sake of brevity.) situated in suit chawl on the monthly rent of Rs. 100/- exclusive of all other outgoings, permitted increases etc.. After converting the license into tenancy, the plaintiff has permitted the defendant No. 1 to reside in the suit premises on monthly rent of Rs. 100/- and issued the rent receipt to him. /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 2 of 16 -- ..3.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 (B) The defendant No. 1 is in arrears of rent and has not paid rent from 01/04/2016. The defendant No. 1 has illegally, unlawfully and without written consent and knowledge of the plaintiff sublet the suit premises to the defendant No. 2 and profiteering therefrom. The defendant No. 2 is an illegal occupant in respect of the suit premises. (C) The defendant No. 1 has also acquired another residential premises at Hawaldar Chawl, Room No. 20, Mograpada, Andheri (East) in the same locality. The defendant No. 1 is not in use of the suit premises without reasonable cause for the purpose for which it was let out for a continuous period of more than six months immediately preceding the date of the suit. The defendant No. 1 has abandoned the suit premises. Prior to creating sub-tenancy, the suit premises was kept locked for two years and has not been used. Therefore, it is clear that, the suit premises is not required by the defendant No. 1 for his own residence purpose. Therefore, he has made himself liable to be evicted from the suit premises under Sections 16(1)(e) and 16(1)(n) of the Rent Act. (D) The plaintiff along-with his family i.e. aged mother, wife, daughter and sons are residing in one room being Room No. 1 which is admeasuring 10’ ft. x 15’ ft. As the family increased, it become difficult to have privacy in one room premises. The plaintiff is working in hotel and has no sufficient money and earning to acquire another premises in Andheri area for better residence and provide privacy to the family. Therefore, the plaintiff required the suit premises bonafide for the residence purpose for himself and his family. The plaintiff by his advocate’s notice dated 19/12/2022 has terminated, cancelled and revoked the Leave and License Agreement dated 01/07/2003 and called /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 3 of 16 -- ..4.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 upon the defendants to handover the peaceful and vacant possession of the suit premises to him. (E) Looking to the nature and circumstances of the case, the plaintiff had no choice but to file the present suit. The defendant No. 1 has failed to comply with requisitions of notice dated 25/7/2023 sent to the defendants and also, they have failed to file reply. The cause of action has arisen within the jurisdiction of this Court. The suit premises does not fall under the slum area and/or the Maharashtra Vacant Land Act. Suit is not barred by law of limitation. Hence, the defendants be ordered and decreed to quit, vacate and handover vacant and peaceful possession of the suit premises. The defendants be directed to pay to the plaintiff an amount of Rs. 9,800/- for the period from 01/04/2016 to 31/05/2024 at the monthly rent of Rs. 100/-. Hence, on all these grounds, present suit is filed. 3. The defendants after service of writ of summons did not appear either in person or through counsel/advocate. Hence, an order of proceeding suit ex-parte is passed against them below Exh. 1 dated 21/02/2025. 4. From the averments made in the plaint, following points arose for my determination to which I have given findings along-with reasons thereon which are as under:- Sr. Nos. Points Findings 1. Does the plaintiff prove that, the defendant No. 1 is in arrears of rent? ...Partly yes. /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 4 of 16 -- ..5.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 2. Does the plaintiff prove that, the suit premises is reasonably and bonafide required by him and for his family members’ accommodation? ...No. 3. To whom greater hardship would be caused by passing the decree than by refusing to pass it? ...Does not survive. 4. Does the plaintiff prove that, the defendant No. 1 has unlawfully sublet the suit premises to the defendant No. 2 without his consent? ...Yes. 5. Does the plaintiff prove that, the defendant No. 1 is not using the suit premises without any reasonable cause for the purpose, for which it was let out, for continuous period of more than six months, immediately preceding the date of the suit? ...Yes. 6. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to the relief of arrears as sought? ...Partly yes. 7. Whether the plaintiff is entitled for the decree of eviction and recovery of possession of the suit premises? ...Yes. 8. What order and decree ? ...The suit stands partly decreed with costs. : REASONS : /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 5 of 16 -- ..6.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 5. In order to substantiate the claim of the plaintiff, he has examined himself as P. W. 1 Mr. Mahesh Hari Pawar by filing his affidavit of evidence in lieu of examination-in-chief at Exh. 10. The plaintiff has closed his oral evidence by filing pursis vide Exh. 15 to that effect. 6. Besides the oral evidence, the plaintiff has tendered Original Assessment Tax receipts vide Exh. 12 (collectively); Original counterfoils of rent receipts vide Exh. 13 (collectively); Office copy of Notice dated 25/07/2023 along-with acknowledgment card and R.P.A.D. receipts vide Exh. 14 (collectively) towards the documentary evidence. As To Point Nos. 1 to 7:- 7. These points are taken together in the interest of justice. Heard Ld. Advocate Smt. S. A. Mishra on behalf of the plaintiff at length. 8. The Ld. Advocate on behalf of the plaintiff has vehemently argued that, plaintiff has filed present suit for eviction against the defendants. He has led sufficient oral and documentary evidence in support of his claim and proved the grounds of eviction. The defendants have failed to cross examine the plaintiff despite sufficient opportunities. They have failed to take any defence despite service of writ of summons. The plaintiff has proved his claim. As his evidence has gone unchallenged, present suit be decreed with costs. 9. It is the case of plaintiff that, he is the landlord and defendant No. 1 is his tenant in respect of the suit premises. It is his further case /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 6 of 16 -- ..7.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 that, defendant No. 2 has been illegally inducted by the defendant No.1 in the suit premises without his consent. 10. P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has reiterated the contents of the plaint in his affidavit of evidence. The defendants have failed to cross examine the said witness despite the opportunities. Hence, the affidavit of evidence filed by P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has been ordered to be proceeded without his cross-examination on behalf of defendants. 11. Now, coming to the documentary evidence, the documents [Exh. 12 (collectively)] appear to be Assessment tax receipts issued by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Ward, standing in the name of Smt. Malibai Bhaidas Bhuta as an assesse for the property mentioned in the bills. Billing name appears to be Hari Tanu Pawar. According to evidence of P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10), his father was paying the assessment charges in respect of the suit chawl and his name is incorporated in the assessment bills apart from land owner/lessor. The defendants have not cross examined the witness on said oral evidence. Therefore, there appears no reason to disbelieve or discard the documents (Exh. 12 (collectively)) and oral evidence of P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) stated in Para No. 1 of his evidence affidavit on the said documents as remained unrebutted. 12. The counterfoils of rent receipts [Exh. 13 (collectively)] go to show that, these are issued by P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) as a landlord to Sultan Babu Shaikh as a tenant in respect of the suit premises i.e. Room No. 2 at monthly rent of Rs. 100/- for various periods stated therein. It appears that, the rent receipts have been issued to the defendant No. 1 till 20/03/2016. The defendants have failed to cross examine the witness/plaintiff with regard to the contents of the said documents. /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 7 of 16 -- ..8.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 13. The documents [Exh. 14 (collectively)] appear to be office copy of demand notice dated 25/07/2023, acknowledgment cards and postal receipts from which it can be seen that, P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has issued the demand notice to both defendants at the address of suit premises. The plaintiff appears to have called upon the defendant No. 1 to pay the arrears of rent amounting to Rs. 8,300/- from 01/04/2016 till 25/07/2023 and both the defendants to quit, vacate and handover, peaceful and vacant possession of the suit premises to him. The said notice appears to have served upon the defendants which can be seen from the signatures appearing on acknowledgment cards [Exh. 14 (collectively)]. 14. On perusal of the documents [Exh. 13 (collectively) and Exh. 14 (collectively)] coupled with oral evidence of plaintiff, it is established on record that, the defendant No. 1 is a tenant of the plaintiff in respect of the suit premises. 15. The plaintiff is claiming the arrears of rent. In this regard, Section 15 of the Rent Act is required to be reproduced which is as under:- “Section 15 : No ejectment ordinarily to be made if tenant pays or is ready and willing to pay standard rent and permitted increases:- 1. A landlord shall not be entitled to the recovery of possession of any premises so long as the tenant pays, or is ready and willing to pay the amount of the, standard rent and permitted increases, if any, and observes and performs the other, conditions of the tenancy, in so far as they are consistent with the provisions of this Act. 2. No suit for recovery of possession shall be instituted by a landlord against the tenant on the ground of non-payment of the standard rent or permitted increases due, until the /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 8 of 16 -- ..9.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 expiration of ninety days next after notice in writing of the demand of the standard rent or permitted increases has been served upon the tenant in the manner provided in section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882. 3. No decree for eviction shall be passed by the Court in any suit for recovery of possession on the ground of arrears of standard rent and permitted increases if, within a period of ninety days from the date of service of summons of the suit, the tenant pays or tenders in Court the standard rent and permitted increases then due together with simple interest on the amount of arrears of fifteen per cent per annum; and thereafter continues to pay or tenders in court regularly such standard rent and permitted increases till the suit is finally decided and also pays cost of the suit as directed by the Court. 4. Pending the disposal of any suit, the Court may, out of any amount paid or tendered by the tenant, pay to the landlord such amount towards the payment of rent or permitted increases due to him as the Court thinks fit.” 16. As per Section 15 (2) of the Rent Act, the landlord cannot institute the suit for recovery of possession against the tenant on the ground of non payment of rent or permitted increases due, until the expiration of 90 days next after notice in writing of the demand of such rent or permitted increases has been served upon the tenant. 17. The defendant No. 1 despite the opportunities after service of suit summons, did not appear and take efforts to bring his defence to the claim of the plaintiff on record. He has failed to cross examine the plaintiff with regard to his oral and documentary evidence. He has failed to bring on record that, his landlord is someone else and not the plaintiff. Therefore, the documents [Exh. 14 (collectively)] go to show that, a demand notice has been duly served upon the defendant No. 1- tenant and the suit appears to have instituted after expiration of 90 /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 9 of 16 -- ..10.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 days after service of demand notice. 18. The defendant No. 1 has failed to pay or tender in Court the rent then due or arrears of rent. He has also failed to apply for seeking permission for deposit of the rent in the Court and to continue to pay or tender in Court regularly rent as per requirement under Section 15(3) of the Rent Act. Therefore, it is clearly established on record that, the defendant No. 1 is in arrears of rent from 01/04/2016 and has failed and neglected to pay the same despite service of demand notice. From the evidence brought on record, the plaintiff’s claim for arrears of rent is partly within law of limitation. Therefore, he is entitled for arrears of rent at the rate of Rs. 100/- per month only for 36 (thirty six) months prior to date of filing of the suit. 19. Present suit is also filed on the ground of bonafide and reasonable requirement of the plaintiff and his family members. In this regard, Section 16(1)(g) of the Rent Act needs to be reproduced which states as under:- “16. When landlord may recover possession- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of section 25, a landlord shall be entitled to recover possession of any premises if the court is satisfied - (g) that the premises are reasonably and bona fide required by the landlord for occupation by himself or by any person for whose benefit the premises are held or where the landlord is a trustee of a public charitable trust that the premises are required for occupation for the purpose of the trust.” 20. Section 16(1)(g) of the Rent Act deals with the legal concept of bonafide and reasonable requirement and envisage that, a landlord shall be entitled to recover possession of any premises, if the court is /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 10 of 16 -- ..11.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 satisfied that, the premises are reasonably and bonafide required by him for occupation by himself or by any person for whose benefit the premises are held or where the landlord is a trustee of a public charitable trust that the premises are required for occupation for the purposes of the trust. While considering “reasonable requirement,” there must be an element of need as opposing a mere desire or wish. The distinction between desire and need should be kept in mind but not as to make even a genuine need as nothing but desire. 21. P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has stated his case of bonafide and reasonable requirement in Para. No. 8 of his evidence affidavit. I have also gone through the plaint. The plaintiff has stated in Para. No. 10 of the plaint with regard to his case of bonafide and reasonable requirement. However, he has nowhere stated in the plaint that, if the decree of eviction on the ground of bonafide and reasonable requirement is not passed, greater hardship will be caused to him. He has nowhere stated in the plaint that, the defendant No. 1 will not suffer greater hardship in the event of passing a decree of eviction in his favour. 22. Section 16(2) of the Rent Act provides that, “No decree for eviction shall be passed on the ground, specified in clause (g) of sub- section (1), if the court is satisfied that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case including the question whether other reasonable accommodation is available for the landlord or the tenant, greater hardship would be caused by passing the decree than by refusing to pass it. Where the court is satisfied that no hardship would be caused either to the tenant or to the landlord by passing the decree in respect of a part of the premises, the court shall pass the decree in /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 11 of 16 -- ..12.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 respect of such part only…” Therefore, as per settled law, the plaintiff has failed to plead and prove the case of greater hardship in view of Section 16(2)of the Rent Act. Hence, in view of above all discussion, the ground of bonafide and reasonable requirement is not proved. 23. Another ground of filing of present eviction suit is subletting the suit premises by the defendant No. 1 to defendant No. 2 without consent and knowledge of the plaintiff under Section 16(1)(e) of the Rent Act. P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has deposed in his affidavit of evidence the case of subletting by the defendant No. 1 without his consent to defendant No. 2. The defendants have not cross examined the witness with regard to said contention. 24. Section 16(1)(e) of the Rent Act states that, if the tenant has unlawfully sub-let or given on license, the whole or part of the premises or assigned or transferred in any other manner his interest therein, he can be evicted on the said ground. 25. The address of the defendant No. 2 is shown as the address of the suit premises in the cause title of the plaint. So also, the defendant No. 1’s address is shown as Room No. 20, Hawaldar Chawl, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069. Therefore, in this regard it would be just and proper to peruse the reports of Bailiff with regard to service of writ of summons to these defendants. 26. The Bailiff’s Reports vide Exh. 7 go to show that, the defendant No. 1 has been served with suit summons at the address of Room No. 20, Hawaldar Chawl, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069 by pasting as per the law and procedure. So also, the reports further go to show that, the defendant No. 2 has been served with suit /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 12 of 16 -- ..13.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 summons at the address of suit premises. Thus, when it is not either the case of the parties that, the defendant No. 2 is the tenant of the plaintiff then how he has been found to be in the possession of the suit premises. The plausible explanation for the same has not come on record on behalf of the defendants. Rather they have failed to set up any defence. The Bailiff being an officer of Court, his reports cannot be discarded unless rebutted by the parties. Nothing is placed on record in order to show that, the Bailiff’s Reports vide Exh. 7 cannot relied upon. In this regard, as the defendant No. 2 was found at the address of suit premises especially when he was never inducted by the plaintiff or defendant No. 1 with the consent of plaintiff at any point of time, the ground of subletting is proved beyond doubt. 27. The present suit is also filed on the ground of non user under Section 16(1)(n) of the Rent Act. Section 16(1)(n) of the Rent Act states that, the landlord may recover possession of tenanted premises, if the premises have not been used without reasonable cause for the purpose for which they were let for a continuous period of six months immediately preceding the date of the suit. 28. For seeking a decree of possession under Section 16(1)(n) of the Rent Act, the landlord has to prove that, the premises has not been used by tenant for the purpose for which it was let out for a continuous period of six months immediately preceding the date of the suit. The landlord has to plead the non user of the premises on the part of the tenant without reasonable cause and the burden to prove that, the premises has not been used without reasonable cause lies on the tenant. Under Section 106 of Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the burden to prove true fact especially within the knowledge of any person is on him. /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 13 of 16 -- ..14.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 Therefore, the existence of the reasonable cause for non user is to be established by the tenant. 29. Now, coming to oral evidence adduced by the plaintiff. P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) has reiterated the contents of the plaint in his affidavit of evidence regarding non user of the suit premises by the defendant No. 1. The defendant No. 1 has not cross examined the said witness despite the opportunities. Thus, the contentions of P.W. 1 Mahesh (Exh. 10) regarding non user of the suit premises by the defendant No. 1 are remained to be unchallenged. 30. It is the case of the plaintiff that, the defendant No. 1 is not using the suit premises for his residential purpose without any reason. Now, the Bailiff’s reports vide Exh. 7 go to show that, the defendant No. 1 was not found at the address of the suit premises and it was the defendant No. 2 who came to be found residing therein. The Bailiff being an officer of the Court, therefore his reports have much value unless rebutted. Normally, such reports are not be disbelieved. Above Bailiff’s reports go to show that, defendant No. 1 is not residing at the address of the suit premises as a tenant thereof. Therefore, it goes to show and prove that, the defendant No. 1 was not using the suit premises without any reasonable cause for the purpose, for which it was let out, for continuous period of more than six months, immediately preceding the date of the suit. 31. The defendant No. 1 being a tenant has not established reasonable cause for not using the suit premises in view of Section (16) (1)(n) of the Rent Act. The defendant No. 1 had got sufficient opportunity to take the defence to the claim of the plaintiff. However, /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 14 of 16 -- ..15.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 he has not contested the suit despite service of suit summons. The oral and documentary evidence of the plaintiff with regard to the ground of non user has gone unchallenged. Here in this case, the existence of reasonable cause for non user in the present suit is not established by the defendant No. 1. Therefore, the ground of non user is duly established on record. 32. Therefore, in view of above all discussion, the ground of arrears of rent is partly proved. The ground of bonafide and reasonable requirement of the plaintiff is not duly established, however, the grounds of subletting the suit premises and non user are clearly established. Therefore, the plaintiff is entitled to the decree of eviction and recovery of possession of the suit premises. Thus, I answer Point Nos. 1 and 6 in the ‘partly affirmative’; Point No. 2 in the ‘negative’; Point No. 3 as ‘Does not survive’ and Point Nos. 4, 5 and 7 in the ‘affirmative’. As To Point No. 8:- 33. In view of findings given on Point Nos. 1 to 7, the suit deserves to be partly decreed with costs. Hence, in answer to Point No. 8, I proceed to pass following order:- : ORDER : 1. The suit stands partly decreed with costs. 2. The defendants are hereby ordered and directed to deliver vacant, quiet and peaceful possession of the suit premises viz. Room No. 2, admeasuring 10’ ft. x 15’ ft., situated in Shakuntala Hari Pawar Chawl, Chawl No. 77, Service Road, Mograpada, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400 069, to the /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 15 of 16 -- ..16.. R.A.E. & R. Suit No. 256 of 2024 plaintiff within a period of sixty days from the date of this order. 3. The defendant No. 1 is hereby ordered and directed to pay the arrears of rent at the rate of Rs. 100/- per month for 36 (thirty six) months prior to date of filing of the suit, to the plaintiff within a period of sixty days from the date of this order. 4. Decree be drawn up accordingly. (Dictated and pronounced in Open Court.) (R. R. Kale) Date : 21/01/2026. Judge, C.R. No. 36 (B.B.) Judgment dictated on computer on : 21/01/2026. Judgment checked & signed on : 21/01/2026. /home/steno36/8. R. R. Kale/2026/Judgments/1. January, 2026/21-01-2026/RAER 256 of 2024.odt -- 16 of 16 --
