IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PIUS C.KURIAKOSE & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.K.ABDUL REHIM TUESDAY, THE 3RD MARCH 2009 / 12TH PHALGUNA 1930 WP(C).No. 5110 of 2009(O) ------------------------- RCP.10/2008 of MUNSIFF COURT, THALIPARAMBA .................... PETITIONER(S): --------------- SUBASH RAJANI BALAN, S/O. PARAYIL BALAN NAIR, AGED 24 YEARS, RESIDING AT RAMAKRIPA, CHIRAKKAL AMSOM, ALAVIL DESOM, KANNUR DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.DINESH R.SHENOY RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. G.PRAKASH, S/O. GANESH RAO, TMC XX-647,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 10/08) 2. K.MUHAMMED SHABEER, S/O. HAMZA, TMC XX-649 ,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (1ST RESPONDENT IN RCP 11/08) 3. MUHAMMED MADANI,S/O. MUSTHAFA HAJI, TMC XX-649 ,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 11/08) 4. G.DEEPAK, S/O. GANESH RAO, TMC XX-648 ,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 12/08) 5. C.M.ASHRAF, S/O. PAKKER, TMC XX-646,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 13/08) 6. M.JAYARAJAN, S/O. JANAKI AMMA, TMC XX-651 (C) 4, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 14/08) 7. E.PREMARAJAN, S/O.NARAYANI, TMC XX-651 (B) 4, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 15/08) 8. JERRY JOHN, S/O. JOHN KALLAT, TMC XX-652 KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 16/08) 9. E.L. THOMAS, W/O. E.LUKA, TMC XX-618 AND 619, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 17/08) 10. JERRY JOHN, S/O. JOHN KALLAT, TMC XX-621, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 18/08) 11. ELAMMA JOHN, W/O. JOHN KALLAT, TMC XX-622 & 623 , KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 19/08) 12. ELAMMA JOHN, W/O. JOHN KALLAT, TMC XX-624 & 625 KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 20/08) 13. P.ISMAIL, S/O. MOIDEEN KUTTY HAJI, TMC XX-637, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 21/08) 14. JERRY JOHN, S/O. JOHN KALLAT, TMC XX-620, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 22/08) 15. M.RAMESAN, S/O. M.GOVINDAN, TMC XX-651 C9, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 23/08) 16. KUTTUKKAN HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, S/O. AMMADKUTTY, TMC XX-657 AND AN UNNUMBERED ROMM OF TALIPARAMBA MUNICIPALITY, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA MUNICIPALITY, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (IST RESPONDENT IN RCP 28/08). 17. CHULLIYODAN PUTHIYAPURAYIL ABDULSALAM, S/O.HASSAN KUNHI HAJI,TMC XX-657, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 28/08) 18. MUHAMMED HARIS, S/O. HASSAN KUNHI HAJI TMC XX-657, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (3RD RESPONDENT IN RCP 28/08) 19. KUTTUKKAN HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, S/O. AMMADKUTTY, TMC XX- 657, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (IST RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 20. CHULLIYODAN PUTHIYAPURAYIL ABDULSALAM S/O. HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, TMC XX-657, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 21. MUHAMMED HARIS, S/O. HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, TMC XX-657, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (3RD RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 22. CHULLIYODANPUTHIYAPURAYIL KUNHAMINA, W/O. HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (4TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08). 23. AHAMMADKUTTY, S/O. HASSAN KUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (5TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08). 24. RABIYA, D/O. HASSANKUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (6TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08). 25. C.P. SULAIKHA, D/O. HASSANKUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (7TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 26. C.P.SAINABA, D/O. HASSANKUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (8TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 27. C.P. NIYAS, S/O. HASSANKUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (9TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 28. C.P. JUBAIRIYATH, D/O. HSSAN KUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (10TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 29. HAIRUNNEESSA, D/O. HSSAN KUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (11TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 30. C.P. HASEENA D/O. HSSAN KUNHI HAJI, THAVAKKAL MANZIL, KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA (12TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) 31. C.P. THASNIMATH, D/O. HSSAN KUNHI HAJI THAVAKKAL MANZIL, (13TH RESPONDENT IN RCP 29/08) KAKKATHOD, TALIPARAMBA, TALIPARAMBA TALUK, P.O. TALIPAAMBA 32. K.P. ABDUL NAZAR, S/O. ALI KUNHI, TMC XX-667, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 30/08). 33. K.P. ABDUL NAZAR,S/O. ALI KUNHI, TMC XX-616 KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 31/08) 34. P.I. MADHUSOODANAN, S/O. KANNAN NAMBIAR, TMC XX-633, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, RESPONDENT IN RCP 32/08) 35. V.V. RAMAKRISHNAN, S/O. V.V. RAGHAVAN TMC XX-633, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 33/08) 36. PUTHOOR MATHEW ALEXANDER, S/O. ALEXANDER, TMC XX- 627, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 34/08). 37. SUSAMMA ANTONY, W/O. M.A. ANTONY, TMC XX - 626, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 35/08), 38. C.P. HUSSAIN S/O. ABOOBACKER, TMC XX-651 C2,C3, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 36/08). 39. T.P. KHALID, S/O. S.A. P. AHAMMED HAJI, TMC XX-651, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 37/08). 40. M.M. DEVACHAN, S/O. MICHAEIL, TMC XX-614, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 38/08). 41. K.V. NALINI AMMA, D/O. KRISHNA MARA, TMC XX-629, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 39/08). 42. K.V. NALINI AMMA, D/O. KRISHNA MARAR, TMC XX-628, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, ( RESPONDENT IN RCP 40/08) 43. PUTHOOR MATHEW ALEXANDER, S/O. ALEXANDER, TMC XX-640, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 41/08). 44. PUTHOOR MATHEW ALEXANDER, S/O. ALEXANDER,TMC XX - 630, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPNDENT IN RCP 42/08). 45. MARY MATHEW, W/O. PUTHOOR MATHEW TMC XX - 638, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPNDENT IN RCP 43/08). 46. MARY MATHEW, W/O. PUTHOOR MATHEW TMC XX - 639, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPNDENT IN RCP 44/08). 47. M.VILASINI, D/O.E.V. PRABHAKARAN, TMC XX-641, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 45/08) 48. T.P. KHALID, S/O.S.A.P. AHAMMED HAJI, TMC XX- 653, 654,655,656, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 46/08). 49. T.P. KHALID,S/O. S.A.P. AHAMMED HAJI, TMC XX- 636,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 47/08) 50. MOOSA HAJI, S/O. FAREED, TMC XX 651 (C1), KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, RESPONDENT IN RCP 48/08) 51. K.MUHAMMEDALI, S/O. ALI, TMC XX- 643 KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 49/08) 52. P. MADHUSOODHANAN, S/O. KUNHIRAMAN, TMC XX- 632, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, 9RESPONDENT IN RCP 50/08). 53. K.P. ABDUL NAZAR, S/O. ALI KUNHI, TMC XX- 645, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 51/08), 54. PAROL HASSAN, S/O. ABDULLA, TMC XX-651 (A), KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (IST RESPONDENT IN RCP 52/08) 55. KATTIKOOTTATHIL ABDULLA, S/O. UMMER HAJI, TMC XX- 651 (A), KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 47/08 56. JOHN P.L. S/O. LUKOSE, TMC XX- 634, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 53/08). 57. T.SIVADASAN, S/O. RAMAN NAMBIAR, TMC XX-631, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA( RESPONDENT IN RCP 53/08). 58. T.PRABHAKARAN, S/O. KUNHANANDAN NAIR, TMC XX-615, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 55/08) 59. T.M.THOMAS, S/O. T.C. MICHAEIL, TMC XX - 615, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 56/08 ) 60. PARAPRATH PAZHAYAPURAYIL HAMZA, S/O. PALLIKKUTTY, TMC XX- 644, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 57/08) 61. K.P. ABDUL NAZAR, S/O. ALI KUNHI, TMC XX-612, 613, 617, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 58/08). 62. V.V. MATHEW, S/O. V.U. VARKEY, TMC XX-651 (B), KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (IST RESPONDENT IN RCP 59/08). 63. A.LAKSHMANAN, S/O. C.V. CHANDUKUTTI NAMBIAR, TMC XX-651 (B) KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 59/08) 64. TOMY MANUEL, S/O. MANUEL, TMC XX-650 (A) KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 60/08). 65. P.K. RADHA, D/O. NARAYANAN NAMNBIAR, TMC XX-635, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 62/08) 66. MOOSA HAJI, S/O. FAREED, TMC XX 651 (C) KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (RESPONDENT IN RCP 63/08) 67. THOMAS JOHN MUTHOOT, S/O. MATHEW M. THOMAS, TMC XX-650, (C) KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (RESPONDETN IN RCP 64/08). 68. A.LAKSHMANAN, S/O. C.V. CHANDUKUTTI NAMBIAR, TMC XX- 651 (B) 6, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA (IST RESPONDENT IN RCP 65/08) 69. V.V. MATHEW, S/O. V.U. VARKEY, TMC XX-651 (B) 6, KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARAMBA, (2ND RESPONDENT IN RCP 65/08)./ 70. AKKIPARAMBATH RADHAKRISHNAN, S/O. K.V. NARAYANAN, TMC XX-651, B1, B2, B3,KAVIL COMPLEX, TALIPARABA, 9RESPONDENT IN RCP 66/08) 71. SHIBU RAJANI BALAN, S/O. PARAYIL BALAN NAIR, RESIDING AT RAMAKRIPA, CHIRAKKAL AMSOM, ALAVIL DESOM, KANNUR DIST. 72. SUNITHA RAJANI BALAN, D/O. PARAYIL BALAN NAIR, RESIDING AT RAMAKRIPA, CHIRAKKAL AMSOM, ALAVIL DESOM, KANNUR DISTRICT. 73. NIMMI BALAN NAIR, D/O. PARAYIL BALAN NAIR, AGED 19 YEARS, RESIDING AT RAMAKRIPA, CHIRAKKAL AMSOM, ALAVIL DESOM, KANNUR DIST. ADV. SRI.SUNIL NAIR PALAKKAT FOR R1,2,4,6,9 & 10 SRI.SUNIL NAIR PALAKKAT FOR R11,13,15,20,21 SRI.SUNIL NAIR PALAKKAT FOR R35,36,40,47,53 SRI.SUNIL NAIR PALAKKAT FOR R58 & 64 SRI.K.N.ABHILASH FOR R1,2,4,6,9,10 SRI.K.N.ABHILASH FOR R11,13,15,20,21 SRI.K.N.ABHILASH FOR R35,36,40,47 SRI.K.N.ABHILASH FOR R53, 58 & 64 SRI.M.SASINDRAN FOR R39,43,44,48,49 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 03/03/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC NO.5110/2009 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: EXT.P1: COPY OF RCP NO.10/2008 RENT CONTROL COURT, TALIPARAMBA. EXT.P2: COPY OF THE COUNTER STATEMENT FILED IN RCP NO.10/2008, RENT CONTROL COURT, THALIPARAMBA. EXT.P3: COPY OF THE LIST OF DOCUMENTS FILED IN RCP NO.10/2008, RENT CONTROL COURT, THALIPARAMBA. EXT.P4;COPY OF I.A. NO.563/2009 IN RCP NO.10/2008 RENT CONTROL COURT, THALIPARAMBA. EXT.P5: COPY OF THE COUNTER AFFIDAVIT FILED BY THE RESPONDENTS IN RCP NO.51/2008 IN I.A. NO. 563/2009 IN RCP NO. 10/2008 IN I.A. NO.563/2009 IN RCP NO.10/2008 RENT CONTROL COURT, THALIPARAMBA. EXT.P6: TRUE TYPED COPY OF THE OPERATIVE PORTION OF THE ORDER DATED 13/2/2009 PASSED IN I.A. NO.564/2009 IN RCP NO.10/2008 RENT CONTROL COURT, THALIPARAMBA. EXT.P7: TRUE TYPED COPY OF THE OPERATIVE PORTION OF THE ORDER DATED 13/2/2009 IN I.A. NO.53/2009 IN RCP NO.10/2008. EXT.P8: COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 13/2/2009 IN I.A. NO.563/2009 IN RCP NO.10/2008 TO RCP NO.23/2008 AND RCP NO.28/2008 TO RCP NO.60/2008 AND RCP NO.62/2008 TO RCP NO.66/2008. /TRUE COPY/ P.A. TO JUDGE. PIUS.C.KURIAKOSE & C.K.ABDUL REHIM, JJ. ------------------------ W.P.(C)No.5110 of 2009 ------------------------ Dated this the 3rd day of March, 2009 JUDGMENT C.K.Abdul Rehim, J. The writ petition is filed by the second petitioner in RCP No.10/2008, of the Rent Control Court, Thaliparamba. Respondents 71 to 73 herein are other petitioners in the RCP. There are 51 other connected Rent Control Cases filed by the same petitioners which are being jointly tried by the Rent Control Court. In all the 52 cases eviction is sought against the respective tenants, mainly on the ground under Section 11(4) (iv) of the Kerala Buildings (Lease & Rent Control) Act 1965, which is for reconstruction of the building. The schedule building in all the 52 Rent Control Petitions are situated within the same structure, which is a three storied building. Proposal is to reconstruct the building and to let out the same to the respondents and to other persons. The petitioners in the Rent Control Petitions along with their father Sri.Parayil Balan Nair together decided to construct the building jointly and they have obtained permit in their joint name, is the case of the petitioners in the RCPs. As per the plan and permit, a portion of WPC.No.5110/2009 2 the proposed reconstruction will be extended to the adjacent property owned by the father of the petitioners, Sri Parayil Balan Nair. In the above context, the respondents in the Rent Control Petition raised contention that, the father of the petitioners may not be having any legal obligation to let out the reconstructed buildings to the respondents/tenants, even if the building is reconstructed. Their contention is that there is no privity of contract between the father of the petitioners and the respondents therein. According to the petitioner, in an abundant caution to get over such a contention, the father had already executed a settlement deed settling his rights in the property in favour of the petitioners Nos.1, 3 and 4 in the Rent Control Petitions. The said settlement deed is document No.468/2009 of the Sub Registry Office, Taliparamba. 2. The petitioners in the RCPs produced the above said settlement deed before the Rent Control Court in RCP No.10/2008, along with an application to receive the same. Another petition was also filed seeking to re-open the evidence for the purpose of marking the said document. With respect to I.A. No.564/2009 filed for receiving the document, the Rent WPC.No.5110/2009 3 Control Court allowed the petition and the additional document was received on the file. I.A. No.563/2009 filed under Order 18 Rule 17 of CPC to re-open the evidence was dismissed as per Ext.P8 order. Ext.P8 is under challenge in this writ petition. 3. In Ext.P8 the learned Rent Controller observed that, the attempt of the petitioners through production of the settlement deed, is only to fill up the lacuna in evidence. If the evidence is reopened for the purpose stated in the petition, it will cause irreparable hardship, prejudice and legal injury to the respondents is the findings. It is also observed that if additional evidence is let in, the respondents in the Rent Control Petitions will not get any opportunity to speak about the new document. 4. We heard Sri.Dinesh R.Shenoy, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, Sri. M.Sasindran and Sri.K.N.Abilash, learned counsel appearing for some of the respondents. Considering the rival contentions, we are of the opinion that the settlement deed which is sought to be marked in evidence is a vital piece of evidence, which is crucial in adjudicating the rival contentions. It is not just and proper to shut down opportunity to the petitioners to mark such a WPC.No.5110/2009 4 document in evidence. The apprehension expressed by the Rent Control Court that, the production of the additional document will cause prejudice to the respondents therein, can be safeguarded by giving appropriate opportunity for rebuttal of the evidence. On the other hand if the opportunity to bring in the said evidence is not allowed, that may lead to multiplicity of proceedings by remand of the matter in appeal or revision. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents submits that admission of the additional document may necessitate amendment to the pleadings. However, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we are inclined to hold that it is not proper to deny opportunity to the petitioners to mark the said document in evidence, which is already received by the Rent Control Court. At the same time adequate opportunity should be given to the respondents for rebuttal of the evidence as well as for amendment of pleadings, if necessary. But considering the fact that the document was produced and sought to be marked only after closing of evidence, we are inclined to grant relief to the petitioner only in terms of cost. 5. In the result, we set aside Ext.P8 order in I.A. WPC.No.5110/2009 5 No.563/2009 in RCP No.10/2008 dated 13/2/2009 of the Rent Control Court. We direct the Rent Control Court to permit marking of the additional document produced by the petitioner by re-opening the evidence and if necessary by recalling witness already examined or by examining additional witness. It is made clear that the parties on both sides may be permitted to amend their pleadings, if found necessary, based on the additional document. So also the respondents in the Rent Control Petitions should be provided with opportunity to adduce rebuttal evidence with respect to the above said document. 6. The above direction is issued subject to the condition that the petitioner will pay costs of Rs.1,000/- each to the contesting respondents in this writ petition through their respective counsel appearing in this court and file memos to that effect before the Rent Control Court. The writ petition is disposed of as above. PIUS.C.KURIAKOSE,JUDGE C.K.ABDUL REHIM, JUDGE dpk