Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958
45. Cutting off or withholding essential
supply or service.-
(1) No landlord either himself or through any person
purporting to act on his behalf shall without just and sufficient cause cut off
or withhold any essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of
the premises let to him.
(2) If a landlord contravenes the provisions
of sub-section (1), the tenant may make an application to the Controller
complaining of such contravention.
(3) If the Controller is satisfied that
essential supply or service was cut off or withheld by the landlord with a view
to compel the tenant to vacate the premises or to pay an enhanced rent, the
Controller may pass an order directing the landlord to restore the amenities
immediately, pending the inquiry referred to in sub-section (4).
Explanation.- An interim order may
be passed under this sub-section without just and sufficient cause cut off or
withhold any essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of
the premises let to him.
(2) If a landlord contravenes the provisions
of sub-section (1), the tenant may make an application to the Controller complaining
of such contravention.
(3) If the Controller is satisfied that
essential supply or service was cut off or withheld by the landlord with a view
to compel the tenant to vacate the premises or to pay an enhanced rent, the
Controller may pass an order directing the landlord to restore the amenities
immediately, pending the inquiry referred to in sub-section (4).
Explanation.- An interim order may
be passed under this sub-section without giving notice to the landlord.
(4) If the Controller on inquiry finds that
the essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of the
premises was cut off or withheld by the landlord without just and sufficient
cause, he shall make an order directing the landlord to restore such supply or
service.
(5) The Controller may in his discretion
direct that compensation not exceeding fifty rupees-
(a) be paid to the
landlord by the tenant, if the application under sub-section (2) was made
frivolously or vexatioulsy ;
(b) be paid to the
tenant by the landlord, if the landlord had cut off or withheld the supply or
service without just and sufficient cause.
Explanation 1.- In this section
"essential supply or service" includes supply of water , electricity,
lights in passages and on staircases, conservancy and sanitary services.
Explanation II.- For the purposes of
this section, withholding any essential supply or service shall include acts or
omissions attributable to the landlord of account of which the essential supply
or service is cut off by the local authority or any order competent authority.