In Brief
Life Insurance Corporation of India sought eviction of unauthorised occupants from its premises under the Public Premises Act, 1971. The Estate Officer ordered eviction for alleged unauthorised subletting. The respondents challenged this through multiple appellate forums and ultimately before the High Court. The Supreme Court held that the District Judge (Appellate Officer under Section 9 of the Act) exercises judicial authority as a Court, not as persona designata. Consequently, the Single Judge's decision dismissing the writ petition could only be challenged under Article 227 (superintendence), not Article 226 (writs), making a Letters Patent Appeal unmaintainable. The Court allowed the appeal, set aside the Division Bench's judgment, and dismissed the Letters Patent Appeal as not maintainable.
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