Madras HC: Coimbatore Tenants' Rs. 15 Lakh Payment Ends Rent Dispute

Quick Summary: The Madras High Court, under Judge P.B. Balaji, recently made a decision about a rent disagreement between M. Ganesshan and K. Vijayanandhan. The case was about unpaid rent and whether tenants should be forced to leave some properties in Coimbatore.

The Background: Rent Dispute in Coimbatore

The case started when M. Ganesshan, the property owner, asked the court to make K. Vijayanandhan and another person leave the property. The reason? They supposedly didn't pay rent on purpose, and there was a plan to tear down and rebuild the property.

Court Proceedings: A Timeline

• Initial Order: The Rent Controller told the tenants they had to pay back rent adding up to Rs. 15.7 lakhs for four properties.
• Temporary Hold and Payment: While the case was being appealed (RCA.No.5 of 2022), the court paused the eviction but required tenants to pay Rs. 15 lakhs.

The Appellate Authority's Decision

The higher court allowed the appeal, letting the Rs. 15 lakhs payment count against the unpaid rent for four properties. However, M. Ganesshan disagreed, saying this amount wasn't enough, especially for Door No.520/1, where the unpaid rent was more than Rs. 29 lakhs.

"The higher court has allowed the tenants to use the Rs.15 lakhs they paid as part of the earlier order."

Arguments from Both Sides

• Landlord's Argument: Mr. S. Mukunth, speaking for M. Ganesshan, said the appeal should not have been allowed because the payment didn't cover all the unpaid rent.
• Tenants' Argument: Mr. P. Saravana Sowmiyan, speaking for the tenants, said the Rs. 15 lakhs should cover the unpaid rent, and they kept paying rent for Door No.520/1.

Final Decision by Judge P.B. Balaji

On December 19, 2025, Judge Balaji decided:

• The Rs. 15 lakhs payment effectively ended the Section 11 case.
• Remaining issues, especially about Door No.520/1, would be settled in RCA.No.16 of 2024, with a decision expected by February 28, 2026.

"It is clarified that the order in RCA.No.5 of 2022 would mean the end of the Section 11 case, because of the Rs.15 lakhs payment."

Summary of Verdict

The court concluded that the Rs. 15 lakhs paid by the tenants was enough to settle the current dispute, but further issues regarding the property at Door No.520/1 would be addressed in a future case.