PETITIONER: DEWAN DAULAT RAI KAPOOR ETC. ETC. Vs. RESPONDENT: <ORG> & ANOTHER ETC. ETC. DATE OF JUDGMENT20/12/1979 BENCH: <NAME>, P.N. BENCH: <NAME>, P.N. TULZAPURKAR, V.D. PATHAK, R.S. CITATION: 1980 AIR 541 1980 SCR (2) 607 1980 SCC (1) 685 CITATOR INFO : R 1981 SC1729 (3) R 1982 SC 16 (2) E 1985 SC 339 (2,5,6) ACT: Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957 Section 116 & Punjab Municipal Act 1911, Section 3(1)(b)-Assessment of building for municipal tax-Annual value-Standard rent or contractual rent-Applicability of rent control legislation. Wolds & phrases-Annual Value Reasonably-Meaning of. HEADNOTE: Section 3(1)(b) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 defines "annual value" to mean, in the case of any house or building "the gross annual rent at which such house or building.... may reasonably be expected to let from year to year" subject to certain specified deductions. The same definition of "annual value" is to be found in section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 but with only difference that there is a, second proviso to section 116 which is absent in section 3(1)(b). One appeal related to a case where the building is situated within the jurisdiction of <ORG> and is liable to be assessed to house tax under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 while the other two related to cases where the building is situated within the limits of <ORG> and is assessable to house tax under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. The house tax under both statutes was levied with reference to the "annual value" of the building. The common question of law arising in the appeals related to the assessment of annual value for levy of house tax where the building is governed by the provisions of Rent Control Legislation but where the standard rent has not yet been fixed. The argument of the <ORG> was (i) that if it was not penal for the landlord to receive the contractual rent from the tenant, even if it be higher than the standard rent determinable under the provisions of the Act, it would not be incorrect to say that the landlord could reasonably expect to let the building at the contractual rent and the contractual rent therefore provided n correct measure for determination of the annual value of the building, and (ii) the period of limitation for making an application for fixation of tho standard rent had expired long prior to the commencement of the assessment years and in each of the cases, the tenant was precluded by section 12 of the Rent Control Act from making an application for fixation of the standard rent with the result that the landlord was lawfully entitled to continue to receive the contractual rent from the tenant without any let or hindrance. Allowing the appeals, ^ HELD: 1. <ORG> would have examined the validity of this argument first on principle and then turned to the authorities, hut it proposed to reverse this order because the decisions in <ORG> 608 case and <ORG> case (supra) completely covered the. present controversy and did not leave any scope for further argument. The decision in <NAME> case may be said to be distinguishable on the ground that in the present cases, unlike <NAME> case, the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and hence it could not be said that it was unlawful or penal for the landlord to receive anything more than the standard rent. But so far as the decision in <ORG> case is concerned, it is difficult to sec how its applicability could be disputed, because there also, as in the present case, the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and in the absence of the standard rent, it was open to the landlord to receive rent in excess of the standard rent determinable under the Act. The only distinction was that under the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950, which came up for consideration in <ORG> case, the standard rent was statutorily determinable on the application of a mathematical formula without any discretion being left in the Controller, while under the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 the standard rent was not a certain and definite figure to be arrived at mathematically by application of the formula laid down in section 6 but it was left to the Controller under section 9 sub-section (2) to fix the standard rent at such amount as appeared to him to be reasonable having regard to the provisions of section 6 and the circumstances of the case. Hence, until the standard rent was fixed by the Controller, it could not be said what would be the standard rent of the building. [622D-H, 623A] 2. Undoubtedly there is some difference in the provisions of the two statutes but this difference is not of such a character as to affect the applicapability of the decision in <ORG> case. In that case too, the prohibition against the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the standard rent was operative only after the fixation of the standard rent by the Controller and so long as the standard rent was not fixed, it was not unlawful or penal for the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the standard rent. If the standard rent though not fixed and hence not legally enforceable, could provide the measure for the reasonable expectation of the landlord to receive rent from a hypothetical tenant in <ORG> case, there is no reason why it should not equally be held to provide such measure in the present cases. As in the one case so also in the other? the upper limit of the standard rent. though yet to be fixed by the Controller, would enter into the determination of the reasonable rent. [623A-D] 3. It is not correct to say that under section 9 sub- section (2) of the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958, it is left to the unfettered and unguided discretion of the Controller to fix any standard rent which he considers reasonable. He is required to fix the standard rent in accordance with the relevant formula laid down in section 6 and he cannot ignore that formula by saying that in the circumstances of the case, he considers it reasonable to do so. The only discretion given to him is to make adjustments in the result arrived at on the application of the relevant formula, where it is necessary to do so by reason of the fact that the landlord might have made some addition, alteration or improvement in the building or circumstances might have transpired affecting the condition or utility of the building or some such circumstances of similar character. The compulsive force of the formula laid down in section 6 for the determination of the standard rent 609 is not in any way whittled down by section 9 sub-section (2) but a marginal discretion is given to the Controller to mitigate the rigour of the formula where the circumstances of the case so require. The amount calculated in accordance with the relevant formula set out in section 6 would, therefore, ordinarily represent the standard rent of the building, unless the landlord of the tenant., as the case may be, can persuade the Controller that there are circumstances requiring adjustment in the amount so arrived at. There is therefore no material distinction between the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950 and the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1050 so far as the provisions regarding determination of standard rent are concerned and the decision in the Life insurance Corporations case must be held to be applicable in determination of the annual value in the present cases. [623D-H, 624A] 4. In <ORG> case also, as in the present cases. the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and under the Andhra Pradesh Rent Act which applied to the town of Guntur, in the Absence of fixation of the fair rent, it was lawfully competent to the landlord to recover rent hl excess of the fair-rent. determinable under that Act. [624B-C] 5. The annual value of the building governed by the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 must be limited by the measure of standard rent determinable under that Act. The landlord cannot reasonably expect to get more rent than the standard rent payable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958. It is true that the standard rent of the building not having been fixed by the Controller, the assessing authority would have to arrive at its own figure of standard rent by applying the, principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 for determination of standard rent, but that is a task which the assessing authority would have to perform as a part OF the process of assessment and in <ORG> case, this Court has said that it is not a.. task foreign to the function of assessment and has to be carried out by the assessing authority. When the assessing authority arrives at its own figures of standard rent by applying the principles laid down in the Act, it does not, in any way, usurp the function of the Controller, because it does not fix the standard rent which would he binding on the landlord and the tenant, which can be done only by the Con- F troller under the Act but it merely arrives at its own estimate of standard rent for the purpose of determining the annual value of the building. That is a perfectly legitimate function within the scope of the jurisdiction of the assessing authority. [624G-H. 625A-C] 6. The existing tenant may be barred from making an application for fixation of the standard rent and may, therefore, be liable to pay contractual rent to the landlord but the hypothetical tenant to whom the building is hypothetically to be let, would not suffer from this disability created by the bar of limitation and he would be entitled to make an application for fixation of the standard rent at any time within two years of the hypothetical letting and the limit of the standard rent determinable under the Act. would therefore, inevitably enter into the bargain and circumscribe the rate of rent at which the building could reasonably be expected to he let. [625E-G] 7. It is difficult to sec how the annual value of the building could vary accordingly as it is tenanted or self occupied. The circumstance that in each. 610 of the present cases, the tenant was debarred by the period of limitation from making an application for fixation of the standard rent and the landlord was consequently entitled to continue to receive the contractual rent. cannot therefore, affect the applicability of the decision in <ORG> case and <ORG> case, and it must. be held that the annual value of the building in each of these cases was limited by the measure of the standard rent determinable under the Act. [626B-C] 8. Even if the standard rent has not been fixed by the Controller, the landlord cannot reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant anything more than the standard rent determinable under the Act and this would be so equally whether the building has been let out to a tenant who has lost his light to apply for fixation of' the standard rent or the building is self occupied by the owner. The assessing authority would. in either case, have to arrive at its own figure of the standard rent by applying principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 for determination of standard rent and determine the annual value of the building on the basis of such figure of standard rent. [626G-H, 627A] 9. It is clear therefore that in each of the present cases the annual value of the building must be held to be limited by the measure of the standard rent determinable on the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 and it cannot exceed such measure of standard rent. [627A- <CITATION>  2 SCC 44; <CITATION>  3 SCR 49; <CITATION> payers' Association  2 SCR 423: <CITATION>  2 SCR 390 referred to. <ORG> v, Smt. Ratnaprabha & Ors.  1 SCR 1017 distinguished. JUDGMENT:

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal Nos. 11431144/73 and 1201 (N) of 1973.

From the Judgment and order dated 16-11-1972 of <ORG> in C.W. No. 580/71, LPA No. 58/72 and 54/72.

<NAME> and <NAME> for the Appellants in C.A. Nos. 1143-44/73 and for Respondents in C.A. No. 1201/73.

<NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME> and <NAME> in C.A. No. 1143/73 for the Intervener.

<NAME> General and <NAME> for the Respondent in C.A. No. 1144/73 and for the Appellant in C.A. No. 1201/73.

<NAME>, Sol. General, <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME> and <NAME> for Respondent No. 1 in C.A. Nos. 1143-44/73 <NAME>, <NAME> and Miss <NAME> for the Intervener, C.I.T. Delhi.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by <ORG> These appeals by certificate raise a common question of law relating to assessment of annual value for levy of house-tax where the building is governed by the provisions of Rent Control legislation, but the standard rent has not yet been fixed. One appeal relates to a case where the building is situate within the jurisdiction of <ORG> and is liable to be assessed to house tax under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 while the other two relate to cases where the building is situate within the limits of <ORG> and is assessable to house tax under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. The house tax under both statutes is levied with reference to the annual value of the building. Section 3(1)(b) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 defines "annual value" to mean, in the case of any house or building "the gross annual rent at which such house or building ......may reasonably be expected to let from year to year" subject to certain specified deductions, and the same definition of "annual value" is to be found in section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 with only this difference that there is a second proviso to section 116 which is absent in section 3(1)(b) . That proviso reads: "Provided further that in respect of any land or building the standard rent of which has been fixed under the Delhi and Ajmer Rent Control Act, 1952, the rateable value thereof shall not exceed the annual amount of standard rent so fixed." It was, however, common ground between the parties that this proviso is immaterial and, in fact, it was so held in <CITATION> (1). We may, therefore, ignore the existence of this proviso and deal with both the categories of appeals on the basis of the same definition of "annual value". "Annual value" of a building, according to this definition, would be the gross annual rent at which the building may reasonably be expected to let from year to year (emphasis supplied).

It is obvious from this definition that unlike the English Law where the value of occupation by a tenant is the criterion for fixing annual value of the building for rating purposes, here it is the value of the property to the owner which is taken as the standard for making assessment of annual value. The criterion is the rent realisable by the landlord and not the value of the holding in the hands the tenant. The rent which the landlord might realise if the building were let is made the basis for fixing the annual value of the building. The word "reasonably" in the definition is very important. What the landlord might reasonably expect to get from a hypothetical tenant, if the building were let from year to year, affords the statutory yardstick for determining the annual value. Now, what is reasonable is a question of fact and it would depend on the facts and circumstances of a given situation. Ordinarily, as pointed out by <NAME>, J., speaking on behalf of the <ORG> in <CITATION> (1); "a bargain between a willing lessor and a willing lessee uninfluenced by any extraneous circumstances may afford a guiding test of reasonableness. An inflated or deflated rate of rent based upon fraud, emergency, relationship and such other considerations may take it out of the bounds of reasonableness". The actual rent payable by a tenant to the landlord would in normal circumstances afford reliable evidence of what the landlord might reasonably expect to get from a hypothetical tenant, unless the rent is inflated or depressed by reason of extraneous considerations such as relationship, expectation of some other benefit etc. There would ordinarily be in a free market close approximation between the actual rent received by the landlord and the rent which he might reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant. But where the rent of the building is subject to rent control legislation, this approximation may and often does get displaced. It is, therefore, necessary to consider the effect of rent control legislation on the determination of annual value This is fortunately not a virgin field. There are at least three decisions of this <ORG> which have spoken on this subject. The first is the decision in <CITATION> (supra). The question which arose in that case was whether the "annual value" of a building governed by the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950 could be determined at a figure higher than the standard rent fixed under the provision of that Act. The definition of "annual value" in section 127(a) of the Calcutta Municipal Act, 1923 under which the house tax was being levied was the same as in section 3(1)(b) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 or section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 without the second proviso and hence in order to determine the "annual value" of the building it was necessary to find out what was the rent at which the building might reasonably be expected to let from year to year. The <ORG> speaking through <NAME>, J. emphasized the use of the word "reasonably" in the definition and pointed out that since it was penal for the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the standard rent fixed under the Act, the landlord could not reasonably expect to receive any higher rent in breach of the law. It is the standard rent alone which the landlord could reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant, because to receive anything more would be contrary to law. The learned Judge, after analysing the provisions of the Act, observed:

"A combined reading of the said provisions leaves no room for doubt that a contract for a rent at a rate higher than the standard rent is not only not enforceable but also that the landlord would be committing an offence if he collected a rent above the rate of the standard rent. One may legitimately say under those circumstances that a landlord cannot reasonably be expected to let a building for a rent higher than the standard rent. A law of the land with its penal consequences cannot be ignored in ascertaining the reasonable expectations of a landlord in the matter of rent. In this view, the law of the land must necessarily be taken as one of the circumstances obtaining in the open market placing an upper limit on the rate of rent for which a building can reasonably be expected to let".

It may be noted that in this case the standard rent of the building was fixed under the Act and since it was penal for the landlord to receive any rent higher than the standard rent fixed under the Act, it was held that the landlord could not reasonably expect to receive anything more than the standard rent from a hypothetical tenant and the annual value of the building could not exceed the standard rent.

The next decision to which we must refer in this connection is the decision of this <ORG> in <CITATION> (supra). This case also related to a building situate in Calcutta which was governed by the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950. Section 2(10) (b) of the Act defined "standard rent" to mean "where the rent has been fixed under section 9 , the rent so fixed, or at which it would have been fixed if application were made under the said section". Here, unlike <NAME> case, the standard rent of the building had not been fixed under section 9 but it was common ground between the parties that Rs. 2,800 per month being the amount of the agreed rent represented the figure at which the standard rent would have been fixed if an application had been made for the purpose under section 9 and the standard rent of the building was therefore Rs. 2,800 per month within the meaning of the second part of the definition of that term. The question which arose for consideration was whether the annual value of the building was liable to be determined on the footing of this standard rent or it could be determined by taking into account the higher rent received by the tenant from its sub-tenants. The principle of the decision in <NAME> case was invoked by the assessee for contending that the annual value of the building could not be determined at a figure higher than the standard rent and this contention was upheld by the <ORG>, though there was no fixation of standard rent by the Controller under section 9 and the statutory prohibition was only against receipt of rent in excess of the standard rent fixed under the Act. The <ORG> pointed out that the standard rent stood defined by the latter part of section 2(10) (b) and by virtue of that provision it was statutorily determined at Rs. 2,800 per month though not fixed by the Controller under section 9 and proceeded to hold, by applying the principle of the decision in <NAME> case, that the landlord could not reasonably expect to receive any rent higher than the standard rent from a hypothetical tenant and the annual value of the building could not, therefore, be fixed at a figure than the standard rent. It will be seen that this decision marked a step forward from the decision in <NAME> case because here the standard rent was not fixed by the Controller under section 9 and it was not penal for the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the statutorily determined standard rent of Rs. 2.800 per month and yet it was led by this <ORG> that the standard rent determined the upper limit of the rent at which the landlord could reasonably expect to let the building to a hypothetical tenant. It may be pointed out that an attempt was made on behalf of the <ORG> to distinguish the decision in <NAME> case by contending that that decision was based on the interpretation of section 127(a) of the Calcutta Municipal <ORG> Act, 1923 while the provision which fell for interpretation in this case was section 168 of the Calcutta Municipal <ORG> Act, 1951 which was different from section 127(a) , in that it contained a proviso that "in respect of any land or building the standard rent of which has been fixed under section 9 ... the annual value thereof shall not exceed the annual amount of the standard rent so fixed" which was absent in section 127 (a). The argument was that under the proviso the annual value was limited to the standard rent only in those cases where the standard rent was fixed under section 9 and since in the case before the <ORG> the standard rent of the building was not fixed under section 9 , the proviso has no application and the assessing authority was not bound to take into account the limi-

tation of the standard rent. This argument was negatived by the Court and it was held that the enactment of the proviso in section 168 of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation Act, 1951 did not alter the law and by the addition of the proviso, the meaning of the expression "gross rent at which the land or building might reasonably be expected to let" was not changed. It was for this reason that we pointed out at the commencement of the judgment that the existence of the proviso in section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 is immaterial and we may proceed to deal with the appeals arising under that Act as if the definition of "annual value" did not contain that proviso.

That takes us to the third decision in <CITATION> (1) which extended still further the principle of the decision in <NAME> case. This was a case where the annual value was to be determined under the Madras District Municipalities Act, 1920 which applied in the city of Guntur. Section 82 sub-section (2) of the Act gave a definition of "annual value" practically in the same terms as section 3(1)(b) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 and section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 without the second proviso. There was also in force in the city of Guntur, the Andhra Pradesh Buildings (Lease Rent and Eviction) Control Act, 1960, which provided inter alia for fixation of fair rent of buildings. It is necessary to refer to a material provisions of this Act. Section 4 , sub-section (1) conferred power on the Controller, on application by the tenant or landlord of a building, to fix the fair rent for such building after holding such inquiry as he thought fit and sub-section (2) to (5) of section 4 laid down the formulae for determination of fair rent in different classes of cases. Sub-section (1)(a) of section 7 gave teeth to the determination of fair rent by providing that where the Controller has fixed the fair rent of a building, the landlord shall not claim, receive or stipulate for the payment of anything in excess of such fair rent and sub- section 2(a) of that section recognised that where the fair rent of a building has not been fixed by the Controller, the agreed rent could be lawfully paid by the tenant to the landord and it was only payment of a sum in addition to the agreed rent that was prohibited by that sub-section. Section 29 made it penal for any one to contravene the provisions of sub sections 1(a) and 2(a) of section 7 . Now there could be no doubt that if the fair rent of a building were fixed under section 4 , sub-section (1), the decision in <NAME> case would be clearly applicable and the annual value would be limited to the fair rent so fixed. But, would the same principle apply where the fair rent were not fixed ? Would the annual value in such a case be liable to be assessed in the light of the provisions contained in the Rent Act ? That was the question which arose before the Court in <ORG> case. <ORG> urged that the decision in <NAME> case was not applicable and attempted to distinguish it by saying that under section 7 , sub-section (1) it was only after the fixation of fair rent of a building that the landlord was debarred from claiming or receiving payment of any rent in excess of such fair rent and since the fair rent of the building in that case had not been fixed, it was not penal for the landlord to receive any higher rent and the assessment of annual value was therefore, not "limited or governed by the measure provided by the provisions of the Act for determination of the fair rent." This attempt, however, did not find favour with the court and it was held that there was no distinction "between buildings the fair rent of which has been actually fixed by the Controller and those in respect of which no such rent has been fixed." The Court pointed out: "It is perfectly clear that the landlord cannot lawfully expect to get more rent than the fair rent which is payable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Act. The assessment of valuation must take into account the measure of fair rent as determinable under the Act. It may be that where the Controller has not fixed the fair rent, the municipal authorities will have to arrive at their own figure of fair rent but that can be done without any difficulty by keeping in view the principles laid down in section 4 of the Act for determination of fair rent." It will thus be seen that even though fair rent had not been fixed under the Act as in <NAME> case, nor was it statutorily determined as in <ORG> case (there being no provision in the Andhra Pradesh Rent Act similar to the latter part of section 2(10)(b) of the West Bengal Rent Act) and it was clear from the provisions of the Rent Act that it was only after the fair rent of a building was fixed by the Controller that the prohibition against receipt of any amount in excess of fair rent became applicable and so long as the fair rent was not fixed by the Controller it was open to the landlord to receive the agreed rent even though it might be higher than the fair rent, yet it was held by the court that in view of the provisions in the Rent Act in regard to fair rent, the landlord could not reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant anything more than the fair rent payable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Rent Act and the annual value was liable to be determined on the basis of fair rent as determinable under the Rent Act . The Court observed that the assessing authority would have to arrive at its own figure of fair rent by applying the principles laid down in sub-sections (2) to (5) of section 4 for determination of fair rent. This decision clearly represented a further extension of the principle in <NAME> case to a situation where no standard rent has been fixed by the Controller and in the absence of fixation of standard rent, there is no prohibition against receipt of higher rent by the landlord.

It is in the light of these decisions that we must consider whether in case if a building in respect of which no standard rent has been fixed by the Controller under the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 the annual value must be limited to the measure of standard rent determinable under that Act or it can be determined on the basis of the higher rent actually received by the landlord from the tenant. But before we proceed to examine this question, we must refer to a recent decision of this <ORG> in <CITATION> .(1) which apparently seems to strike a different note. That was a case relating to a building situated in Indore and subject to the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Accommodation Control Act, 1961. The building was self occupied and hence there was no occasion to have its standard rent fixed by the Controller. The annual value of the building was sought to be assessed for rating purposes under the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956 and section 138(b) of that Act provided that the annual value of any building shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force be deemed to be the gross annual rent at which such building might reasonably be expected to let from year to year, subject to certain specified deductions. The argument of the assessee was that even though no standard rent in respect of the building was fixed by the Controller, the reasonable rent contemplated by section 138(b) could not exceed the standard rent determinable under the Act and it was incumbent on the Municipal Commissioner to determine the annual value of the building on the same basis on which its standard rent was required to be fixed under the Act. This argument was sought to be supported by relying on the three decisions to which we have already made a reference. Now it would appear that the decision in <ORG> case was clearly applicable on the facts of this case and following that decision the <ORG> ought to have held that the annual value of the building could not exceed the standard rent determinable under section 7 of the Act and the assessing authority should have arrived at its own estimate of the standard rent by applying the principles laid down in that section and determine the annual value on the basis of such standard rent. But the <ORG> negatived the applicability of the decision in <ORG> case and the earlier two cases by relying on the words "notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force" in section 138(b) . The <ORG> pointed out that while 'the requirement of the law is that the reasonable letting value should determine the annual value of the building, it has also been specifically provided that this would be so "notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force" and observed that it would be a proper interpretation of these words "to hold that in a case where the standard rent of a building has been fixed under section 7 of the Madhya Pradesh Accommodation Control Act, and there is nothing to show that there has been fraud or collusion, that would be its reasonable letting value, but where this is not so, and the building has never been let out and is being used in a manner where the question of fixing its standard rent does not arise, it would be permissible to fix its reasonable rent without regard to the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Accommodation Control Act, 1961. This view will, in our opinion, give proper effect to the non-obstante clause in clause (b), with due regard to its other provision that the letting value should be "reasonable". The <ORG> leaned heavily on the non-obstante clause in section 138(b) and distinguished the decision in <ORG> case and the earlier two cases on the ground that in none of the three Municipal Acts which came up for consideration before the <ORG> in these cases, there was any such non- obstante clause. We are not at all sure whether this decision represents the correct interpretation of section 138(b) because it is rather difficult to see how the non- obstante clause in that section can possibly affect the interpretation of the words "the annual value of any building shall.................... be deemed to be the gross annual rent at which such building.. might reasonably ........ be expected to be let from year to year." The meaning of these words cannot be different in section 138(b) than what it is in section 127(a) of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation Act, 1923 and section 82(2) of the Madras District, Municipality Act, 1920 and the only effect of the non-obstante clause would be that even if there is anything contrary in any other law for the time being in force that should not detract from full effect being given to these words according to their proper meaning. But it is not necessary for the purpose of the present appeals to probe further into the question of correctness of this decision, since there is no non-obstante clause either in section 3(1)(b) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 or in section 116 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 and this decision has therefore, no application.

Now let us turn to the present appeals and see how far the trilogy of decisions referred to earlier throws light on the solution of the problem before us. We may first refer to the relevant provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 for that was the law in force at the material time relating to restrictions of rent of buildings situate within the jurisdiction of <ORG> and <ORG>. Section 2(k) defined 'standard rent' in relation to any premises to mean "the standard rent referred to in section 6 or where the standard rent has been increased under section 7 , such increased rent." Sub-section (1) of section 4 provided that, subject to a single narrow exception which is not material for our purpose, "no tenant shall, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary be liable to pay to his landlord for the occupation of any premises any amount in excess of the standard rent of the premises" and sub-section (2) of section 4 declared that, subject to provision of sub-section (1) "any agreement for the payment of rent in excess of the standard rent shall be construed as if it were an agreement for the payment of the standard rent only". Section 5 sub-section (1) enacted a prohibition injuncting that "no person shall claim or receive any rent in excess of the standard rent, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary." Then, section 6 proceeded to set out different formulae for determination of standard rent in different classes of cases and each formula gave a precise and clear-cut method of computation yielding a definite figure of standard rent in respect of building falling within its coverage. Section 9 sub-section (1) provided that the Controller shall, on an application made to him in this behalf either by the landlord or by the tenant, fix in respect of any premises the standard rent referred to in section 6 and sub-section (2) of section 9 laid down that in fixing the standard rent of any premises, the Controller shall fix an amount which appears to him to be reasonable having regard to the provisions of section 6 and the circumstances of the case. Sub-section (4) of section 9 provided for determination of standard rent in a case where for any reason it was not possible to determine the standard rent on the principles set forth under section 6 and said that in such a case "the Controller may fix such rent as would be reasonable having regard to the situation, locality and condition of the premises and the amenities provided therein and where there are similar or nearly similar premises in the locality, having regard also to the standard rent payable in respect of such premises". Section 9 sub- section (7) enjoined the Controller, while fixing the standard rent of any premises, to specify a date from which the standard rent so fixed shall be deemed to have effect and added a proviso that in no case the date so specified shall be earlier than one year prior to the date of the application for the fixation of the standard rent. Lastly, section 12 laid down a period of limitation within which an application for fixation of the standard rent may be made by the landlord or the tenant by providing that such application must be made within 2 years from the date of commencement of the Act in case of premises let prior to such commencement and if the premises were let after such commencement, then within 2 years from the date on which the premises were let to the tenant. The proviso to section 12 empowered the Controller to entertain the application after the expiry of the period of limitation if he was satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the application in time. These provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 came up for consideration before this Court in <CITATION> (1) where the question was whether in answer to a suit for eviction filed by the landlord, the tenant was entitled by way of defence to ask the Controller to fix the standard rent of the premises and to resist eviction by paying or depositing the standard rent so fixed even though at the date of the filing of the defence, the period of limitation for making an application for fixation of the standard rent had expired. The argument of the tenant was that by reason of the prohibition enacted in section 4 and sub-section (1) of section 5 , it was not competent to the landlord to claim or receive any amount in excess of the standard rent and even though the period of limitation prescribed for making an application for fixation of standard rent had expired, the tenant was entitled to ask the Controller by way of defence to fix the standard rent, since the period of limitation was applicable only where a substantive application was made for fixation of standard rent and it had no application where the fixation of standard rent was sought by way of defence. This Court speaking through <NAME>, J. negatived the contention of the tenant and construing the scheme of the Act, pointed out:

".............................. the prohibition in sections 4 and 5 operate only after the standard rent of premises is determined and not till then. So long as the standard rent is not determined by the Controller, the tenant must pay the contractual rent: after the standard rent is determined the landlord becomes disentitled to recover an amount in excess of the standard rent from the date on which the determination operates.

We are unable to agree that standard rent of a given tenement is by virtue of s. 6 of the Act a fixed quantity, and the liability for payment of a tenant is circumscribed thereby even if the standard rent is not fixed by order of the Controller. Under the scheme of the Act standard rent of a given tenement is that amount only which the Controller determines. Until the standard rent is fixed by the Controller the contract between the landlord and the tenant determines the liability of the tenant to pay rent. That is clear from the terms of section 9 of the Act. That section clearly indicates that the Controller alone has the power to fix the standard rent, and it cannot be determined out of court. An attempt by the parties to determine by agreement the standard rent out of court is not binding. By section 12 in an application for fixation of standard rent of premises the Controller may give retrospective operation to his adjudication for a period not exceeding one year before the date of the application. The scheme of the Act is entirely inconsistent with standard rent being determined otherwise than by order of the Controller. In our view, the prohibition against recovery of rent in excess of the standard rent applies only from the date on which the standard rent is determined by order of the Controller and not before that date."

it was, thus, held that the prohibition in section 4 and sub-section (1) of section 5 against recovery by the landlord of any amount in excess of the standard rent was operative only after the standard rent was fixed by the Controller under section 9 and until the standard rent was so fixed, it was lawful for the landlord to receive the contractual rent from the tenant and if the period of limitation prescribed for making an application for fixation of the standard rent had expired, the tenant could not, thereafter, get the standard rent fixed by the Controller and would continue to be liable to pay the contractual rent to the landlord. The <ORG> relied heavily on this decision and contended that since in each of the present appeals the building was let out to the tenant, but its standard rent was not fixed by the Controller under section 9 and the period of limitation for making an application for fixation of the standard rent had expired, the landlord was entitled to continue to receive the contractual rent from the tenant without any legal impediment and hence the annual value of the building was not limited to the standard rent determinable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Act, but was liable to be assessed by reference to the contractual rent recoverable by the landlord from the tenant. The argument of the <ORG> was that if it was not penal for the landlord to receive the contractual rent from the tenant, even if it be higher than the standard rent determinable under the provisions of the Act, it would not be incorrect to say that he landlord could reasonably expect to let the building at the contractual rent and the contractual rent therefore provided a correct measure for determination of the annual value of the building. This argument, plausible though it may seem at first blush, is in our opinion not well founded and must be rejected.

Ordinarily we would have examined the validity of this argument first on principle and then turned to the authorities, but we propose to reverse this order because the decisions in <ORG> case and <ORG> case (supra) completely cover the present controversy and do not leave any scope for further argument. Of course, the decision in <NAME> case may be said to be distinguishable on the ground that in the present cases, unlike <NAME> case, the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and hence it could not be said that it was unlawful or penal for the landlord to receive anything more than then the standard rent. But so far as the decision in <ORG> case is concerned, it is difficult to see how its applicability could be disputed, because there also, as in the present case, the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and in the absence of fixation of the standard rent, it was open to the landlord to receive rent in excess of the standard rent determinable under the Act. The only distinction which could be urged on behalf of the <ORG> was that under the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950, which came up for consideration in <ORG> case, the standard rent was statutorily determinable on the application of a mathematical formula without any discretion being left in the Controller, while under the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958, the standard rent was not a certain and definite figure to be arrived at mathematically by application of the formulae laid down in section 6 but it was left to the Controller under section 9 sub-section (2) to fix the standard rent at such amount as appeared to him to be reasonable having regard to the provisions of section 6 and the circumstances of the case and hence, until the standard rent was fixed by the Controller, it could not be said what would be the standard rent of the building. Now undoubtedly there is some difference in the provisions of the two statutes but this difference is not of such a character as to affect the applicability of the decision in <ORG> case, because in that case too, the prohibition against the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the standard rent was operative only after the fixation of the standard rent by the Controller and so long as the standard rent was not fixed, it was not unlawful or penal for the landlord to receive any rent in excess of the standard rent. If the standard rent though not fixed and hence not legally enforceable, could provide the measure for the reasonable expectation of the landlord to receive rent from a hypothetical tenant in <ORG> case, there is no reason, why it should not equally be held to provide such measure in the present cases; as in the one case so also in the other. The upper limit of the standard rent, though yet to be fixed by the Controller, would enter into the determination of the reasonable rent. Moreover, it is not correct to say that under section 9 sub-section (2) of the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 it is left to the unfettered and unguided discretion of the Controller to fix any standard rent which he considers, reasonable. He is required to fix the standard rent in accordance with the relevant formula laid down in section 6 and he cannot ignore that formula by saying that in the circumstances of the case, he considers it reasonable to do so. The only discretion given to him is to make adjustments in the result arrived at on the application of the relevant formula, where it is necessary to do so by reason of the fact that the landlord might have made some addition, alteration or improvement in the building or circumstances might have transpired affecting the condition or utility of the building or some such circumstances of similar character. The compulsive force of the formulae laid down in section 6 for the determination of the standard rent is not in any way whittled down by section 9 sub-section (2) but a marginal discretion is given to the Controller to mitigate the rigour of the formulae where the circumstances of the case do require. The amount calculated in accordance with the relevant formulae set out in section 6 would, therefore, ordinarily represent the standard rent of the building, unless the landlord or the tenant, as the case may be, can persuade the Controller that there are circumstances requiring adjustment in the amount so arrived at. It would thus be seen that there is no material distinction between the West Bengal Premises Rent Control (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1950 and the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 so far as the provisions regarding determinations of standard rent are concerned and the decision in <ORG> case must be held to be applicable in determination of that annual value in the present cases.

But more than the decision in the Life Insurance case decision, it is <ORG> case which is nearest to the present case and is almost indistinguishable. In that case also, so in the present cases, the standard rent of the building was not fixed by the Controller and under the Andhra Pradesh Rent Act which applied in the town of Guntur, in the absence of fixation of the fair-rent, it was lawfully competent to the landlord to recover rent in excess of the fair-rent determinable under that Act. Moreover, the Andhra Pradesh Rent Act did not prescribe any clear-cut formula to be applied mechanically for statutorily determining the standard rent, but it was left to the Controller to fix the standard rent having regard to (a) the prevailing rates of rent in the locality for the same or similar accommodation in similar circumstances during the 12 months prior to 5th April, 1944; (b) the rental value entered in the property tax assessment book of the concerned local authority relating to the period mentioned in clause

(a) and (c) the circumstances of the case, including any amount paid by the tenant by way of premium or any other like sum in addition to rent after 5th April 1944 with a provision for allowance of increase depending on the quantum of the rent so arrived at. The discretion left to the Controller to fix the fair rent was thus much larger than that under the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 and yet it was held that, even though the fair rent was not fixed by the Controller, the annual value was limited by the measure of the fair-rent determinable under the Act. The view taken was that there was no material distinction between buildings fair-rent of which has been actually fixed by the Controller and those in respect of which no such rent has been fixed and even if the fair-rent has not been fixed by the Controller, the upper limit of the fair-rent payable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Act is bound to enter into the determination of the rent which the landlord could reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant. The principle of this decision applies wholly and completely in the present cases and following that principle, it must be held that the annual value of a building governed by the Delhi Rent Control Act 1958 must be limited by the measure of standard rent determinable under that Act. The landlord cannot reasonably expect to get more rent than the standard rent payable in accordance with the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent  Control Act , 1958. It is true that the standard rent of the building not having been fixed by the Controller, the assessing authority would have to arrive at its own figure of standard rent by applying the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 for determination of standard rent, but that is a task which the assessing authority would have to perform as a part of the process of assessment and in <ORG> case, this Court has said that it is not a task foreign to the function of assessment and has to be carried out by the assessing authority. When the assessing authority arrives at its own figure of standard rent by applying the principles laid down in the Act, it does not, in any way, usurp the functions of the Controller, because it does not fix the standard rent which would be binding on the landlord and the tenant, which can be done only by the Controller under the Act, but it merely arrives at its own estimate of standard rent for the purpose of determining the annual value of the building. That is a perfectly legitimate function within the scope of the jurisdiction of the assessing authority.

Now it is true that in the present cases the period of limitation for making an application for fixation of the standard rent had expired long prior to the commencement of the assessment years and in such of the cases, the tenant was precluded by section 12 from making an application for fixation of the standard rent with the result that the landlord was lawfully entitled to continue to receive the contractual rent from the tenant without any let or hindrance. But from this fact-situation which prevailed in each of the cases, it does not follow that the landlord could, therefore, reasonably expect to receive the same amount of rent from a hypothetical tenant. The existing tenant may be barred from making an application for fixation of the standard rent and may, therefore, be liable to pay the contractual rent to the landlord, but the hypothetical tenant to whom the building is hypothetically to be let would not suffer from this disability created by the bar of limitation and he would be entitled to make an application for fixation of the standard rent and may, therefore, be liable to pay the contractual rent to the landlord, but the hypothetical tenant to whom the building is hypothetically to be let would not suffer from this disability created by the bar of limitation and he would be entitled to make an application for fixation of the standard rent at any time within two years of the hypothetical letting and the limit of the standard rent determinable under the Act would, therefore, inevitably enter into the bargain and circumscribe the rate of rent at which the building could reasonably be expected to be let. This position becomes absolutely clear if we take a situation where the tenant goes out and the building comes to be self-occupied by the owner. It is obvious that in case of a self-occupied building, the annual value would be limited by the measure of standard rent determinable under the Act, for it can reasonably be presumed that no hypothetical tenant would ordinarily agree to pay more rent than what he could be made liable to pay under the Act. The anomalous situation which would thus arise on the contention of the <ORG> would be that whilst the tenant is occupying the building the measure of the annual value would be the contractual rent, but if the tenant vacates and the building is self-occupied, the annual value would be restricted to the standard rent determinable under the Act. It is difficult to see how the annual value of the building could vary accordingly as it is tenanted or self-occupied. The circumstance that in each of the present cases the tenant was debarred by the period of limitation from making an application for fixation of the standard rent and the landlord was consequently entitled to continue to receive the contractual rent, cannot therefore affect the applicability of the decisions in <ORG> case and <ORG> case and it must be held that the annual value of the building in each of these cases was limited by the measure of the standard rent determinable under the Act.

The problem can also be looked at from a slightly different angle. When the Rent Control Legislation provides for fixation of standard rent, which alone and nothing more than which the tenant shall be liable to pay to the landlord, it does so because it considers the measure of the standard rent prescribed by it to be reasonable. It lays down the norm of reasonableness in regard to the rent payable by the tenant to the landlord. Any rent which exceeds this norm of reasonableness is regarded by the legislature as unreasonable or excessive. When the legislature has laid down this standard of reasonableness, would it be right for the <ORG> to say that the landlord may reasonably expect to receive rent exceeding the measure provided by this standard? Would it be reasonable on the part of the landlord to expect to receive any rent in excess of the standard or norm of reasonableness laid down by the legislature and would such expectation be countenanced by the <ORG> as reasonable? The legislature obviously regards recovery of rent in excess of the standard rent as exploitative of the tenant and would it be proper for the <ORG> to say that it would be reasonable on the part of the landlord to expect to recover such exploitative rent from the tenant ? We are, therefore, of the view that, even if the standard rent has not been fixed by the Controller, the landlord cannot reasonably expect to receive from a hypothetical tenant anything more than the standard rent determinable under the Act and this would be so equally whether the building has been let out to a tenant who has lost his right to apply for fixation of the standard rent or the building is self-occupied by the owner. The assessing authority would, in either case, have to arrive at its own figure of the standard rent by applying principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 for determination of standard rent and determine the annual value of the building on the basis of such figure of standard rent.

It is, therefore, clear that in each of the present cases, the annual value of the building must be held to be limited by the measure of the standard rent determinable on the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 and it cannot exceed such measure of standard rent. We accordingly allow Appeals Nos. 1143 and 1144 of 1973 and declare in such of these two cases that the assessment of the Annual value of the building in excess of the standard rent determinable on the principles laid down in the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 was illegal and ultra vires. So far as Appeal No. 1201(N) of 1973 preferred by <ORG> of Delhi is concerned, it relates to assessment of annual value of self-occupied building and since we have held that in case of self-occupied building also the annual value must be determined on the basis of the standard rent determinable under the provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act , 1958 and there we have agreed with the judgment of <ORG>, that appeal must be dismissed. The assessee in each case will get his costs throughout.

N.K.A. C.A. Nos. 1143 & 1144/73 allowed. C.A. 1201 (N)/73 dismissed.


PETITIONER: COLLECTOR LAND ACQUISITION, ANANTNAG & ANR. Vs. RESPONDENT: MST. <NAME> & <NAME>. DATE OF JUDGMENT19/02/1987 BENCH: <NAME>, M.P. (J) BENCH: <NAME>, <NAME>, <NAME> (J) CITATION: 1987 AIR 1353 1987 SCR (2) 387 1987 SCC (2) 107 JT 1987 (1) 537 1987 SCALE (1)413 CITATOR INFO : R 1988 SC 897 (7) ACT: Indian Limitation Act , 1963; s.5--Condoning delay in filing appeal--Existence of 'sufficient cause'--Determina- tion of--<ORG> seeking condonation of delay----To be treated equitably. HEADNOTE: An appeal by the <ORG>. against a decision enhancing compensation in respect of acquisition of lands for a public purpose, raising important questions as regards principles of valuation, was dismissed by <ORG> as time barred, being four days beyond time, by rejecting an appli- cation for condonation of dalay. The <ORG> appealed to this Court by special leave. Allowing the appeal, HLED: 1.1 The expression 'sufficient cause' employed by the legislature in s.5 of the Indian Limitation Act , 1963 is adequately elastic to enable the <ORG> to do substantial justice to parties by disposing of matters on merits. [388E-F] 1.2 The <ORG> which represents the collective cause of the community. does not deserve a litigant-non-grata status. The doctrine of equality before law demands that all litigants, including the <ORG> as a litigant, are accorded the same treatment and the law is administered in an equitable man- ner. The <ORG>, therefore, have to be informed with the spirit and philosophy of the provision in the course of the interpretation of the expression 'sufficient cause'. So also the same approach has to be evidenced in its application to matters at hand with the end in view to do even handed justice on merits in preference to the approach which scut- tles a decision on merits. [390B-C] 2. In the instant case, sufficient cause exists for delay in instituting the appeal in <ORG>. Delay is, therefore, condoned. The matter is remitted to <ORG> for disposal on merits. [390C-D] JUDGMENT:

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 460 of 1987.

From the Judgment and Order dated 14.4. 1986 of <ORG> in Civil 1st Appeal No. 54 of 1985.

<NAME>, Adv. General and <NAME> for the Appellants.

<NAME> and <NAME> for the Respondents. The Order of the Court was delivered by <NAME>, J. To condone, or not to condone, is not the only question. Whether or not to apply the same standard in applying the "sufficient cause" test to all the litigants regardless of their personality in the said context is another.

An appeal preferred by the State of Jammu & Kashmir arising out of a decision enhancing compensation in respect of acquisition of lands for a public purpose to the extent of nearly 14 lakhs rupees by making an upward revision of the order of 800% (from Rs. 1000 per kanal to Rs.8000 per kanal) which also raised important questions as regards principles of valuation was dismissed as time barred being 4 days beyond time by rejecting an application for condonation of delay. Hence this appeal by special leave. The legislature has conferred the power to condone delay by enacting Section 51 of the Indian Limitation Act of 1963 in order to enable the <ORG> to do substantial justice to parties by disposing of matters on 'merits'. The expression "sufficient cause" employed by the legislature is adequately elastic to enable the courts to apply the law in a meaning- ful manner which subserves the ends of justice--that being the life-purpose for the existence of the institution of <ORG>. It is common knowledge that this <ORG> has been making a justifiably liberal approach in matters instituted in this <ORG>. But the message does not appear to have percolated down to all the other <ORG> in the hierarchy. And such a liberal approach is adopted on principle as it is realized that:-

"Any appeal or any application, other than an application under any of the provisions of Order XXI of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. may be admitted after the prescribed period if the appellant or the applicant satisfies the court that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal or making the application within such period."

1. Ordinarily a litigant does not stand to benefit by lodging an appeal late.

2. Refusing to condone delay can result in a meritorious matter being thrown out at the very threshold and cause of justice being defeated. As against this when delay is con- doned the highest that can happen is that a cause would be decided on merits after hearing the parties.

3. "Every day's delay must be explained" does not mean that a pedantic approach should be made. Why not every hour's delay, every second's delay? The doctrine must be applied in a rational common sense pragmatic manner.

4. When substantial justice and technical considerations are pitted against each other, cause of substantial justice deserves to be preferred for the other side cannot claim to have vested right in injustice being done because of a non-deliberate delay.

5. There is no presumption that delay is occasioned deliberately, or on account of culpable negligence, or on account of mala fides. A litigant does not stand to benefit by resorting to delay. In fact he runs a serious risk.

6. It must be grasped that judiciary is respected not on account of its power to legalize injustice on technical grounds but because it is capable of removing injustice and is expected to do so.

Making a justice-oriented approach from this perspective, there was sufficient cause for condoning the delay in the institution of the appeal. The fact that it was the '<ORG>' which was seeking condonation and not a private party was altogether irrelevant. The doctrine of equality before law demands that all litigants, including the <ORG> as a liti- gant, are accorded the same treatment and the law is admin- istered in an even handed manner. There is no warrant for according a stepmotherly treatment when the '<ORG>' is the applicant praying for condonation of delay. In fact experi- ence shows that on account of an impersonal machinary (no one in charge of the matter is directly hit or hurt by the judgment sought to be subjected to appeal) and the in-

herited bureaucratic methodology imbued with the note-mak- ing, file pushing, and passing-on-the-buck ethos, delay on its part is less difficult to understand though more diffi- cult to approve. In any event, the <ORG> which represents the collective cause of the community, does not deserve a litigant-non-grata status. The <ORG> therefore have to be informed with the spirit and philosophy of the provision in the course of the interpretation of the expression "suffi- cient cause". So also the same approach has to be evidenced in its application to matters at hand with the end in view to do even handed justice on mertis in preference to the approach which scuttles a decision on merits. Turning to the facts of the matter giving rise to the present appeal, we are satisfied that sufficient cause exists for the delay. The order of <ORG> dismissing the appeal before it as time barred, is therefore. set aside. Delay is condoned. And the matter is remitted to <ORG>. <ORG> will now dispose of the appeal on merits after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to both the sides. Appeal is allowed accordingly. No costs.

P.S.S. Appeal allowed.