MAHESH GROVER, J. - (1.) THIS order will dispose of three revision petitions bearing CR Nos. 1064 of 2008, 1065 of 2008 and 1182 of 2008 which have been directed against the order of the learned Rent Controller vide which the prayer for leave to contest made by the petitioners was declined.
(2.) THE respondent-landlord initiated proceedings under the provisions of Section 13-B of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act seeking eviction of the petitioners from the premises in question by claiming that he is a Non Resident Indian and requires the premises for his bona fide use and occupation. The petitioners resisted the petition and filed their respective applications for leave to defend and took up the plea that the respondent- landlord is not the owner of the shop in question and the premises are not required for his bona fide use and occupation.
(3.) THE respondent alleged that he was landlord and owner of the shops in question upon which the present petitioners are tenants. He pleaded that he was a Non Resident Indian who had migrated to Australia in the year 1995 and the shops are required for his personal use and for the use of his family for setting up business therein. He pleaded that he intends to start a business of marketing of goods and that he had requisite experience in that field. He pleaded further that he did not have any other commercial property except the shops in dispute.;