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High Court Updates

No More ‘Bona Fide Need’: Allahabad High Court Redefines Eviction Standards Under the UP Tenancy Act, 2021

Published

2 months ago

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Lentis Legalis | 07 April 2026
Reviewed by Adv. Chandrasen Yadav

In a notable ruling the Allahabad High Court has held that landlord is not bound to establish reason or requirement to occupy his own rented property. The order of Rent Authority, dated 19.06.2025, allowing the release application and direction of eviction of the petitioner was challenged under Article -227 of the Constitution of India, which recorded that the rate of rent was Rs. 500/- per month and that there was no default in payment of rent. The release application, however, was allowed by the Rent Authority under Section 21(2)(m) of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act, 2021, on the ground of personal requirement of the landlord. The release order of Rent Authority was also challenged before the Rent Tribunal by the petitioner preferring an appeal under Section 35 of the Act, which came to be dismissed by the Rent Tribunal vide order dated 30.01.2026, affirming the findings recorded by the Rent Authority.

Facts of the Case:

The petitioner, being a tenant of a shop situated at 106/376, Gandhi Nagar, ‘P’ Road, Kanpur Nagar, at a monthly rent of Rs.500/-, and The respondent–landlord instituted proceedings under Section 21(2)(a), (b) and (m) of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act, 2021 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act, 2021”), seeking release of the premises in question on the ground that he had acquired ownership thereof by inheritance and that the same was required for expansion of his business.

landlord was in possession of a non-residential area of approx 150 square yards, used as a godown, while area measuring about 90 square yards on the first floor used as a furniture workshop. It was further stated that, in the event possession of the premises in question is secured, the landlord would be in a position to shift the furniture workshop to the ground floor and utilize the first floor portion for residential purposes.

a notice dated 02.06.2023, along with an intimation purportedly under Section 4(3) of the Act, 2021, and that the demand of rent along with notice, as per applicable circle rate, Rs.1,00,000/- per month raised. The petitioner–tenant contested that the agreed rent was Rs. 500/- per month; that the alleged enhancement of rent to Rs.1,00,000/- was impermissible under the Act; that no valid notice had been served; and that the alleged refusal of notice was incorrect. It was further contended that the landlord’s requirement was not genuine and that alternative accommodations were available to him, whereas the tenanted shop constituted the sole source of livelihood of the petitioner. petitioner denied the raised objections regarding maintainability, service of notice, and compliance with statutory requirements.

The Issue before High Court: The core issue for consideration was whether, under the scheme of Section 21(2)(m) of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act, 2021, the landlord is merely to demonstrate that the premises are required for his occupation, or whether such requirement must also satisfy the test of “bona fide need” as was contemplated under the erstwhile U.P. Act No. 13 of 1972.

The grounds of the petitioner were-

  • The requirement set up by the landlord is neither genuine nor pressing and is merely a pretext to evict the tenant.
  • The landlord is possessed of alternative accommodations which could sufficiently meet his alleged need, yet the same have not been considered by the authorities below.
  • It is further submitted that relevant material on record has been ignored,
  • The proceedings are vitiated on account of non compliance with statutory requirements, including improper service of notice and
  • An impermissible attempt to enhance the rent.

Precedents relied by Petitioner on Phiroze Bamanji Desai v. Chandrakant N. Patel, (1974) 1 SCC 661 wherein it has been held that the expression “requires” must be construed to mean an element of actual need and not a mere desire, and that such requirement must satisfy the test of bona fide necessity. Another precedent of Shiv Sarup Gupta v. Mahesh Chand Gupta, (1999) 6 SCC 222, was plase reliance by the petitioner to contend that the requirement of the landlord must be genuine and real for eviction, and that the Court is obliged to scrutinize the same objectively on the basis of pleadings and evidence on record.

The respondent pointed out that the statutory requirement as engrafted in Section 21(2)(m) of the Act, 2021 postulates only the existence of the requirement of the landlord for occupation of the premises, without incorporating any further condition or qualification.

High Court noted the statutory departure highlighting provision sub-section (2)(m) of Section 21 of the Act, 2021, and held that the landlord is only required to demonstrate that the premises are required for his occupation. The provision, in its plain terms, is clearly distinguishable from the provisions contained in the erstwhile U.P. Act No. 13 of 1972, wherein the landlord was obligated to establish not only his bona fide requirement but also to satisfy the test of comparative hardship. The omission of these requirements under the present enactment is neither incidental nor insignificant, but a conscious legislative departure.

The court further noted that the provision does not incorporate expressions such as “bona fide requirement” or any reference to comparative hardship, which were integral to the earlier regime. This change in phraseology assumes significance while construing the scope and ambit of the provision.

Having regard to the aforesaid discussion the High Court dismissed the tenant’s petition, upholding the eviction order. However, showing equitable consideration, the Court granted:

  • 8 months’ time to vacate (till 2 December 2026),
  • Subject to filing an undertaking and
  • Payment of Rs 2,000 per month as use and occupation charges.

The Hon’ble High Court cleared his stance that in the event of default in compliance of any of the aforesaid conditions, the protection granted by this Court, shall stand vacated automatically and it shall be open to the respondent-landlord to seek execution of the order passed in the Rent Case in accordance with law.

Petitioner -Shyam Pal
Respondent – B.S. Enterprises
Bench – HON’BLE DR. YOGENDRA KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, J

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Author
Adv. Chandrasen Yadav
B.Sc., LL.B. & LL.M.

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Crime And Justice

Allahabad High Court Sets Aside Charges for Ignoring Subsequent Closure Report Filed After Cognizance

Published

4 months ago

on

February 17, 2026

By

LENTIS LEGALIS
ALLAHABAD| 14.02.2026

The Allahabad High Court has allowed a criminal appeal and set aside multiple orders passed by the Special Judge (SC/ST Act), Kannauj, holding that a trial court cannot ignore a Final Report (closure report) filed after further investigation merely because cognizance had already been taken on an earlier charge sheet.

The present criminal appeal under Section 14-A(1) Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been preferred to allow this present appeal and set aside the impugned order dated 21.08.2024, 27.06.2024 and 10.05.2024 and all other consequential orders also passed by Special Judge SC/ST Act, District-Kannauj in S.C. No.1374/2023 (State Vs. Sonu @ Bhagwan Bhakt and others) arising out of Case Crime No.627/2023 U/s 147, 452, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C. and 3 (1)(d) SC/St Act, Police Station Kotwali Kannauj District-Kannauj. The Investigating Officer initially filed a charge sheet on 15.09.2023, on which cognizance was taken on 21.12.2023.

As the investigation was still under progress, supplementary report under Section 173(2) Cr.P.C. was submitted by I.O. on 31.3.2024 by concluding that allegations against the appellants were found false. It can be said that a final report was submitted by I.O. subsequent to the order of taking cognizance upon the charge sheet on 21.12.2023

During further investigation under Section 173(8) Cr.P.C., the I.O. submitted a Final Report/Closure Report on 31.03.2024, concluding that the allegations were false. Despite this, the trial court proceeded to frame charges on 07.08.2025 without passing any order on the Final Report.

The central question before the High Court was:
What is the duty of a Magistrate when, after taking cognizance on a charge sheet, a subsequent Final Report (negative report) is filed following further investigation?

The High Court held that A supplementary report, including a Final Report, is an integral part of the primary police report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. A Magistrate is duty-bound to consider every subsequent report filed during investigation, even after cognizance has been taken. Ignoring a Final Report and proceeding to frame charges amounts to a procedural illegality. Passing a fresh order on a Final Report does not amount to a review barred under Section 362 Cr.P.C., as cognizance does not finally dispose of the case.

The Court relied on landmark judgments including:

  • Vinay Tyagi v. Irshad Ali (2013) – holding that primary and supplementary reports must be read conjointly.
  • Ram Lal Narang v. State (Delhi Administration) – recognising the necessity of further investigation even after cognizance.
  • Dharmatma Singh v. Harminder Singh – reiterating the Magistrate’s duty to independently assess conflicting police reports.
  • Mariam Fasihuddin v. State (2024) – emphasising that courts must apply judicial mind to every valid supplementary report.

The impugned orders dated 21.08.2024, 27.06.2024 and 10.05.2024, including the order framing charges on 07.08.2025, were set aside. The trial court has been directed to first decide the Final Report after considering it along with the initial charge sheet. Charges may be framed only if a conjoint reading of both reports discloses a prima facie case.

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High Court Updates

Allahabad High Court Quashes Chargesheet and other Proceedings, Holds Relationship Prima Facie Consensual

Published

4 months ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

LENTIS LEGALIS
Prayagraj | 16 February 2026

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the criminal proceedings, including charges under Section 376(2)(n) IPC and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, in a case alleging repeated sexual assault and blackmail, holding that the material on record did not disclose a prima facie case warranting trial.

Justice Avnish Saxena allowed an application under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) filed by the accused persons, setting aside the charge-sheet dated 12.02.2025, the cognizance order dated 28.02.2025, and all consequential proceedings arising out of Case Crime No. 883 of 2024, Police Station Izzatnagar, District Bareilly.

The FIR, lodged on 01.12.2024 by the complainant, a married woman, alleged that she was repeatedly raped by the first accused between August 2022 and November 2023 on the pretext of guidance for the Provincial Civil Services examination. It was further alleged that obscene videos were recorded and later used for blackmail, with the second accused allegedly circulating the videos to the complainant’s family members.

Applicants submit that the FIR is grossly delayed. The informant is a married lady having two children, who has some oblique motive to fulfil. The record shows that the victim herself has sent friend request to the sister of accused through facebook, came closer to her and thereafter made distance and came closer to accused applicant.

After examining the FIR, statements under Sections 180 and 183 BNSS, and material collected during investigation, the Court noted multiple inconsistencies and improbabilities in the prosecution story. The Court observed that:

  • The complainant was a married, educated woman with children and allegedly maintained prolonged physical relations over several years without reporting the matter.
  • The alleged blackmail was based on videos which the complainant admitted she had never seen.
  • There was no recoverable electronic evidence to substantiate claims of circulation of obscene material.
  • Statements of the complainant’s husband and father did not conclusively support the allegation of transmission of videos.
  • WhatsApp chats placed on record indicated intimate communication beyond mere academic guidance.

Relying on recent Supreme Court precedents, the Court held that prolonged and repeated physical relations, in the absence of compelling evidence of coercion or threat, cannot be presumed to be non-consensual.

The Court concluded that continuation of the criminal proceedings would amount to an abuse of the process of law. Consequently, all proceedings against both accused persons were quashed.

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High Court Updates

Surge in Police Encounters in UP: Allahabad High Court Seeks Compliance with PUCL Guidelines

.

Published

4 months ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

Photo: Shutterstock

Allahabad | lentis legalis team

The Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over the increasing number of police encounters resulting in serious injuries to accused persons. The court observed that police firing, particularly shooting suspects in the legs “has become a common occurrence” and constitutes a misuse of  power that cannot be permitted.

These remarks were made while granting bail to an accused named Raju @ Rajkumar, who had sustained serious injuries in a police encounter and was seeking bail in a case registered under Sections 305(a), 331(4), and 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Non-Compliance with Supreme Court Guidelines

Upon examining the FIR and related records, the court found that although an FIR related to the police encounter was eventually registered, the mandatory safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court in the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs. State of Maharashtra (2014) case were not followed.

Specifically, The injured accused’s statement was neither recorded before a magistrate nor by a medical officer. The investigation was initially assigned to a sub-inspector, whereas the Supreme Court mandates that encounters be investigated by an officer of a rank senior to the head of the police party involved or by an independent agency like the CBCID. Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal stated that such omissions violate binding constitutional law under Article 141, rendering the police action legally flawed.

Court Summons Top State Officials

Taking cognizance of the repeated non-compliance, the High Court directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, to appear before it via video conferencing.

Both senior officials acknowledged that despite repeated circulars issued in 2017 and 2024, many police officers were disregarding the Supreme Court’s directives. He assured the court that new guidelines would be issued and strict disciplinary action would be taken against the erring officers. Strong warning against ‘punitive’ encounters

The court strongly condemned the practice of police firing on accused persons under the guise of encounters, stating:

“The power to punish rests exclusively with the courts, not the police. India is a democratic state governed by the rule of law, and such conduct cannot be tolerated.”

The court also noted that in the cases before it, no police officer had sustained any injuries, raising serious doubts about the necessity and proportionality of the use of firearms.

Contempt proceedings for future violations

In a significant warning, the High Court stated that District Police Chiefs (SP/SSP/Commissionerate Police) would be liable for contempt of court, in addition to departmental action, if the Supreme Court guidelines are violated in encounter cases resulting in death or serious injury.

Session Judges have also been empowered to consider complaints regarding non-compliance and, where necessary, refer cases to the High Court for contempt proceedings.

Bail granted keeping in mind constitutional mandate

While granting bail to the applicant, the court took into consideration the Non-compliance with PUCL guidelines, the fact that the applicant’s name was not initially in the FIR, filing of the charge sheet, long period of incarceration since August 2025, and Overcrowding in prisons and pendency of criminal trials. The applicant was released on bail subject to strict conditions to ensure cooperation in the trial and non-interference with evidence.

Reaffirmation of human rights and the rule of law

Reiterating India’s constitutional and international obligations under Article 21, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN norms on law enforcement, the court emphasized that human dignity cannot be sacrificed at the altar of expediency or publicity. This decision confirms that the PUCL guidelines are the law of the land and must be strictly followed in every case of a police encounter resulting in death or serious injury.

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