K. Balasubramani vs The Tamilnadu Government on 23 February, 2024

Supreme Court of India
K. Balasubramani vs The Tamilnadu Government on 23 February, 2024
Author: Sanjay Karol
Bench: Sanjay Karol, J.K. Maheshwari
2024 INSC 140 NON­REPORTABLE

                                   IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
                                    CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION


                     SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION(C) NOS.11225­11256 OF 2021


              K. BALASUBRAMANI ETC.                             … PETITIONER(S)

                                                 Versus


              THE TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT
              REPRESENTED BY THE ADDITIONAL
              CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
              AND OTHERS ETC.                                       … RESPONDENT(S)



                                                  WITH


                        SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION(C)NOS.8251­8252/2022




                                            J U DG M E N T




              Sanjay Karol, J.

1. Briefly set out, the instant petitioners (hereinafter referred to as the “tenants”) were inducted as

1| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 tenants/licencees in different shops, vide different transactions, owned by the respondents herein (hereinafter referred to as the “landlords”). The respondent­landlords are managing the affairs of a temple, i.e., Arulmighu Dhandayuthpani Swamy Temple, Palani, under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

2. Post­termination of their original lease/licence period, the tenants stand declared as encroachers under the provisions of Section 78 of the Act. In terms of the impugned judgment and order dated 22.03.2021 passed in a batch of writ petitions initiated by the instant tenants, the High Court, while affirming the impugned action, directed the tenants to hand over the vacant and peaceful possession of the premises, individually occupied by each one of the tenants, to the landlord.
3. On 08.01.2024, when the matters came up for hearing, with an endeavor to have the dispute amicably resolved, putting an end to the protracted litigation, certain offers were exchanged between the parties through their respective

2| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21 learned counsel. As such on a joint prayer, the matters were adjourned for today.

4. Appreciably, more so on account of the efforts put in by the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties, the lis inter se the parties stand resolved on the following mutually agreeable terms and on the basis of the instructions imparted to the learned counsel for the respective parties, as stated in the Court, these petitions are being disposed of in the following terms :­

(i) The order of ejectment passed by the authorities under the provisions of the Act stands affirmed.

(ii) With respect to 19 tenants, particulars whereof are given herein below in a tabular chart, it shall be open for the landlord to forthwith initiate proceedings seeking possession in accordance with law. We are constrained to pass such an order for, despite opportunities afforded till date, they have not cleared arrears of rent/occupation charges.

 S.      NAME                              SHOP            STATUS BEFORE
 NO.                                                        THIS HON’BLE
                                                               COURT
 1.      P. KANNAN                  THANDAPANI            PETITIONER NO.27

S/D/W/Thru:- PARAMASIVAM NILAYAM WEST, SHOP NO.2

2. K. KUPPUSAMY VELAN VAN VIDUTHI, PETITIONER NO.37 S/D/W/Thru:- SHOP NO.1 KARUPPANNAGOUNDER
3. A. BALAKRISHNAN VELAN VAN VIDUTHI PETITIONER NO.38 S/D/W/Thru:- AZHAKUMARI SHOP NO.2

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4. A. BALAKRISHNAN VELAN VAN VIDUTHI PETITIONER NO.38 S/D/W/Thru:- AZHAKUMARI, SHOP NO.3

5. R. MURUGANANTHAM VELAN VAN VIDUTHI PETITIONER NO.39 S/D/W/Thru:- RAMASAMY SHOP NO.6
6. R. MUTHUKUMAR PALAYAM VINAYAGAR PETITIONER NO.40 S/D/W/Thru:- RAJIPILLAI KOIL SHOP NO.1
7. S. LAKSHMANAN PALAYAM VINAYAGAR PETITIONER NO.41 S/D/W/Thru:- SIVARAMA KOIL SHOP NO.2
8. SUBBURAJ S/D/W/Thru:- PALAYAM VINAYAGAR PETITIONER NO.42 PACHAMUTHU KOIL SHOP NO.3
9. N. SHANMUGAM POONGA ROAD PETITIONER NO.43 S/D/W/Thru:- SHOP NO.2 NATARAJACHETIER
10. P. ANGHULAKSHMI POONGA ROAD PETITIONER NO.44 S/D/W/Thru:- SIVAPACKIAM SHOP NO.2
11. V. MARAGATHAM POONGA ROAD PETITIONER NO.45 S/D/W/Thru:- VAIRAVAN SHOP NO.3
12. V. MARAGATHAM POONGA ROAD PETITIONER NO.45 S/D/W/Thru:- VAIRAVAN SHOP NO.4
13. R. SUBRAMANIAN POONGA ROAD PETITIONER NO.46 S/D/W/Thru:- RAMASAMY SHOP NO.5
14. G. MATTAN PETITIONER NO.51 THIRUGNANASAMBANDAM THAMBIRAAN KOVIL S/D/W/Thru:- GOVINDRAJ SHOP NO.3
15. G. MATTAN PETITIONER NO.51 THIRUGNANASAMBANDAM THAMBIRAAN KOVIL S/D/W/Thru:- GOVINDRAJ SHOP NO.4
16. G. MATTAN PETITIONER NO.51 THIRUGNANASAMBANDAM THAMBIRAAN KOVIL S/D/W/Thru:- GOVINDRAJ SHOP NO.5
17. S.R. VIJAYARAJAN PALAYAM VINAYAGAR PETITIONER NO.85 S/D/W/Thru:- RASUPILLAI KOVIL 2/121, VILPATTI, SHOP NO.4 KODAIKANAL TALUK
18. P. KANNAN THANDAPANI PETITIONER S/D/W/Thru:- PARAMASIVAM NILAYAM, NO.27 SHOP NO.7
19. P. ANGHULAKSHMI SIRUKUDIL PETITIONER S/D/W/Thru:- SIVAPACKIAM SHOP NO.5 NO.44

4| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21  NOTE : TOTAL S.NO 19

(iii) With respect to the remaining 51 tenants (total shops 65 in number) particulars whereof are given hereinbelow in a tabular chart, the petitions are disposed of on the following mutually agreed terms :­ S.NO. STATUS NAME SHOP BEFORE THIS HON’BLE COURT

1. PETITIONER K. BALASUBRAMANI KUDAMULAKKU SHOP
2. PETITIONER ALAGURAJA KUDAMULAKKU SHOP
3. PETITIONER C.V. JEEVANANTHAM KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.3 S/D/W/Thru:- C. VAITHIANATHAN NO. 07 AND 08,
4. PETITIONER P. PANDIAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.4 S/D/W/Thru:- NO. 29, BALANARAYANACHETTIAR
5. PETITIONER R. MARIYAPPAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.5 S/D/W/Thru:- RAMASAMY NO.4,
6. PETITIONER K. THANGARAJ KUDAMULAKKU SHOP
7. PETITIONER V. SUBRAMANIAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP CHETTIAR
8. PETITIONER SWAMINATHAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.8 S/D/W/Thru:- A. ALAGAPA NO. 14, CHETTIAR
9. PETITIONER K. UTHIRAM S/D/W/Thru:- KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.9 KARUPPANAPILAI NO. 2 AND 3,
10. PETITIONER K. KUMAR KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.10 S/D/W/Thru:- KARUPPASAMY NO. 33,
11. PETITIONER K. DHANDAPANI KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.11 S/D/W/Thru:- KARUPPANAPILAI NO. 27,
12. PETITIONER K. BALASUBRAMANI KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.12 S/D/W/Thru:- KALIAPPAN NO. 20,21 &22,
13. PETITIONER G. GANESH KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.13 S/D/W/Thru:- GOPALAKRISHNAN NO. 12,
14. PETITIONER SENTHILANDAVAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.14 S/D/W/Thru:- ALAGAPPA NO. 13,

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

15. PETITIONER K. BALAMURUGAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.15 S/D/W/Thru:- KALIMUTHU NO. 34,
16. PETITIONER P. VENKATESAPANDIAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.16 S/D/W/Thru:- PANNEERSELVAM NO. 10 ,
17. PETITIONER PANDIYARAJAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.17 S/D/W/Thru:- PANNEERSELVAM NO. 9,
18. PETITIONER S. SENTHILKUMAR KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.18 S/D/W/Thru:- SIVASANKARAN NO. 5,
19. PETITIONER MANJULA KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.19 S/D/W/Thru:- PERUMAL NO. 23,
20. PETITIONER A. KRISHNAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.20 S/D/W/Thru:- ARUNACHALAM NO. 25,
21. PETITIONER K. GOPALSAMY KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.21 S/D/W/Thru:- KRISHNASAMY NO. 6 ,
22. PETITIONER R. SUNDARESAN KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.22 S/D/W/Thru:- RENGASAMY NO. 1,
23. PETITIONER NAMAGIRITHAYAR KUDAMULAKKU SHOP NO.23 S/D/W/Thru:- V. NAGARAJ NO. 30,
24. PETITIONER K. BAKTHAN DHANDAPANI NO.24 S/D/W/Thru:- KUNJUKANNAN NILAYAM SHOP NO. 6, `
25. PETITIONER A. BALASUBRAMANIAN DHANDAPANI NO.25 S/D/W/Thru:- ANGAMUTHU NILAYAM SHOP NO. 5,
26. PETITIONER G. KANNAN S/D/W/Thru:- DHANDAPANI NO.26 GANAPATHY NILAYAM SHOP NO.4
27. PETITIONER S. MUNIAPPAN DHANDAPANI NO.28 S/D/W/Thru:- SINGARAELU NILAYAM WEST SHOP NO.12
28. PETITIONER SARASWATHY DHANDAPANI NO.29 S/D/W/Thru:- SRISAILAM NILAYAM SHOP NO.1
29. PETITIONER S. RAMACHANDRAN DHANDAPANI NO.30 S/D/W/Thru:- NILAYAM SHOP NO.2 SUBRAMANIYAIYYER
30. PETITIONER S. USHA RANI S/D/W/Thru:- DHANDAPANI NO.31 SAKTHIVEL NILAYAM SHOP NO.3
31. PETITIONER R.D.K. THANGARAJ DHANDAPANI NO.32 (R.T.K. THANGARAJ) NILAYAM SHOP NO.10 S/D/W/Thru:- KANDASAMY
32. PETITIONER V. BANUMATHI DHANDAPANI NO.34 S/D/W/Thru:- VENKATHACHALAM NILAYAM SHOP NO.8.
33. PETITIONER A. KARUNANIDHI DHANDAPANI NO.36 S/D/W/Thru:- AMIRTHA NILAYAM SHOP NO.11,
34. PETITIONER N. DHANSEKARAN MANGAMMAL NO.47 S/D/W/Thru:- NATRAYAN MANDAPAM SHOP

6| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21  NO.1 35 PETITIONER V. SHARADHA MANGAMMAL NO.48 S/D/W/Thru:- VELMURUGAN MANDAPAM SHOP NO.3 36 PETITIONER A. NAGARAJAN S/D/W/Thru:- MANGAMMAL NO.49 ANGUSAMY MANDAPAM SHOP

37. PETITIONER V. PUSHPAVALLI MANGAMMAL NO.50 S/D/W/Thru:- VIJAYAKUMAR MANDAPAM SHOP NO.7
38. PETITIONER C. KANNIAMMAL KAL MANDAPAM SHOP NO.52 S/D/W/Thru:- CHINNAPPA NO.1, GOUNDER
39. PETITIONER C. THANGAVEL S/D/W/Thru:- KAL MANDAPAM SHOP NO.53 CHELLAPPA NO.2
40. PETITIONER A. CHANDRAKALA SIRUKUDIL SHOP NO.2, NO.54 S/D/W/Thru:- ANGUSAMY 41 PETITIONER N. GOPAL SIRUKUDIL SHOP NO.3 NO.55 S/D/W/Thru:- NITHYANANDHAM &4
41. PETITIONER G. KULATHAIVELU SIRUKUDIL SHOP NO.6 NO.56 S/D/W/Thru:- GURUNATHAN
42. PETITIONER D. KARTHIKEYAN OLD HEAD OFFICE KUDAMULAKKU, SHOP
43. PETITIONER V. PERIYASAMY OLD HEAD OFFICE NO.58 S/D/W/Thru:- VILANGADIAN SHOP NO.2
44. PETITIONER P. MANIKANDAN OLD HEAD OFFICE NO.59 S/D/W/Thru:- PALANISAMY SHOP NO.3
45. PETITIONER G. GANESH KUDAMULAKKU, SHOP NO.69 S/D/W/Thru:- GOGULAKRISHNAN NO.28
46. PETITIONER C. LAKSHMIPATHYRAJU KUDAMULAKKU, SHOP
47. PETITIONER S. KARUPASAMY KUDAMULAKKU, SHOP
48. PETITIONER M. VELUMANI S/D/W/Thru:- SIRUKUDIL SHOP NO.1 NO.84 MURUGAN
49. RESPONDENT J. IYYAPPAN S/D/W/THRU.GOPAL KUDAMULAKKU, SHOP NO.6 (RESPONDENT NO.6) NO.17
50. RESPONDENT V. SURESH BABU (RESPONDENT DHANDAPANI NO.5 NO.5) NILAYAM SHOP NO.9 NOTE : TOTAL S.NO 51

a) The order of ejectment qua all these 51 tenants stand affirmed. However, as mutually agreed, they are

7| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21  allowed to occupy the premises for a further period of six months. These tenants, through their respective counsel have undertaken to hand over the vacant and peaceful possession of the respective demised premises under their occupation to the landlord on or before 31st July, 2024. These tenants shall be liable to pay rent as it stood revised in the year 2015 and not in the year 2018. As such, not only shall they clear all arrears of rent/damages/mesne profit, if any, within a period of four months from today, but also continue to pay the same at the rates revised in the year 2015 for such period they shall continue to occupy the premises.

b)These tenants shall not cause any damage to the properties, create any encumbrance, or transfer possession, in any manner, of the demised premises.

c) These tenants shall continue to use and occupy the property and enjoy the same strictly in terms of the municipal by­laws. No further construction, more so unauthorized in nature, shall be carried out by them.

d) Before handing over the possession of the demised premises, these tenants shall clear all statutory dues as mutually agreed inter se the parties.

e) For the period of 280 days for which the petitioners could not fully utilize the demised premises during the pandemic COVID­19, they shall be liable to pay agreed rent/charges only @50%. Clarifying further, the rent/charges shall be paid at the rates

8| SLP(C)NO.11225-56/21  revised in the year 2015 and not in 2018 and the period of 280 days shall be computed commencing from 20.03.2020.

f) It is clearly understood inter se parties that the landlords intend to develop the property, providing better facilities to the pilgrims. However, should the landlord ever carry out development, by constructing shops, in that event these tenants (51 in number) shall be given preferential treatment, subject of course, to their participating in the process of allotment and matching the price bid of the highest bidder.

g) In the event the tenant(s) violating any of these terms, it shall be open to the landlord(s) to initiate the proceedings for obtaining possession in terms of the order of ejectment and also initiate proceedings for contempt, if so advised.

h) Needless to add, the landlord(s) shall not cause any hindrance in the peaceful occupation and enjoyment of the demised premises by these tenants.

i) All pending litigation(s), if any, inter se the parties in relation to the demised premises shall stand closed.

j) These tenants shall file an undertaking before this Court agreeing to the aforesaid terms, within a period of three weeks from today.

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5. The petitions shall stand disposed of in the aforesaid terms. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

……………..…………J. (J.K. MAHESHWARI) …………….…………J. (SANJAY KAROL) New Delhi;

February 23, 2024.

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