HC slaps cost on tenant who refused to vacate

NEW DELHI: For his repeated failure to comply with the undertaking given to the court to vacate rented premises in the capital, the Delhi High Court has imposed Rs75,000 fine on a tenant and asked him to appear in person before the court on Friday.

Justice S Murlidhar asked one Vinod Khanna, who had promised several times since 2000 to vacate the premises, to pay the outstanding dues by February 9. The judge also issued a bailable warrant to ensure his presence in court.

"Khanna's conduct prima facie is clearly contempt of court. He is directed to appear in person and explain why a case of contempt should not be made against him for blatant and wilful disobedience of the repeated undertakings given to this court," the judge said.

On September 29, 2000 and September 6, 2001 Khanna had promised the court that he would vacate the premises to landlady Sangeeta Sakhuja by September 30, 2005 and pay all the outstanding dues.

Khanna, however, failed to fulfill the promise and cited that his daughter was studying for medicine and required some time. He also did not pay the arears to the land lady on the stipulated time period given by the court.