In Brief
A consumer cooperative society leased commercial premises in Tamil Nadu from 1980. The owner sought eviction; after the tenant vacated in November 2003, the owner sued for enhanced monthly damages of Rs. 89,000 for the prior three years. The Trial Court and High Court awarded Rs. 26.98 lakhs. The Supreme Court partly allowed the appeal, modifying the decree to limit damages to Rs. 50,000 per month (the rate earlier agreed upon). The tenant had already paid Rs. 10 lakhs and was ordered to pay Rs. 7.5 lakhs more within three months in full settlement, taking into account the cooperative's charitable status and its timely compliance with the vacating order.
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