P.Ponraj v. J.Baby
Case brief
What is this about?
Tenant P.Ponraj v. landlord J.Baby (by power agent K.Jawarilal): two CRPs under Article 227 against Ambattur Rent Controller (District Munsif) orders of 30.06.2026 in MP Nos.3 & 4 of 2026 in RLTOP 40/2025 refusing the tenant permission to reopen evidence / leave under Section 36(2) TN Landlords and Tenants Act 2017 to cross-examine the landlord, in an eviction under Section 21(2)(a) for non-execution of lease agreement; Abdul Quddhose J held cross-examination before the Rent Court is discretionary where tenancy is undisputed, no pleading of refusal to execute lease deed is required under S.21(2)(a), and CPC provisions do not strictly apply to the 2017 Act; revisions dismissed, no costs, connected CMP closed.
What did the court decide?
Section 21(2)(a) of the Act 2017 does not stipulate that there must be a pleading in the eviction petition seeking eviction on the ground that the tenant has not executed a lease agreement after coming into force of the Act 2017; consequently, the absence of such a pleading did not entitle the tenant to cross examine the landlord.