Company : Sol Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Website : www.courtkutchehry.com KARNATAKA PUBLIC PREMISES (EVICTION OF UNAUTHORISED OCCUPANTS) ACT, 1974 32 of 1974 [October 7, 1974] CONTENTS 1. Short title, extent and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Appointment of competent officers 4. Issue of notice to show cause against order of eviction 5. Eviction of unauthorised occupants 6 . Disposal of property left on public premises by unauthorised occupants 7. Power to recover rent or damages in respect of public premises as arrears of land revenue 8 . Rent to be recovered by deduction from salary or wages of employee 9. Powers of competent officers. 10. Appeals 11. Finality of orders. 12. Offences and penalty 13. Power to obtain information. 14. Liability of heirs and legal representatives. 15. Recovery of rent, etc., as an arrear of land revenue. 16. Bar of jurisdiction 17. Protection of action taken in good faith. 18. Power to make rules. 19. Repeal and savings. KARNATAKA PUBLIC PREMISES (EVICTION OF UNAUTHORISED OCCUPANTS) ACT, 1974 32 of 1974 [October 7, 1974] An Act to provide for the eviction of unauthorised occupants from public premises and for certain incidental matters. Whereas, it is expedient to provide for the eviction of unauthorised occupants from public premises and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; Be it enacted by the Kamataka State Legislature in the Twenty-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows. 1. Short title, extent and commencement :- (1) This Act may be called the Karnataka Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1674. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Karnataka. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 18th January, 1962 except Section 12 and Section 19 which shall come into force at once. 2. Definitions :- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires. (a) "Competent officer" means an officer appointed as such by the State Government under Section 3 ; (b) "Corporate authority" means any company or corporation referred to in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) of clause (e) of this section; (c) "Premises" means any land or any building or hut or part of a building or hut and includes. (i) the garden, grounds and outhouses if any, appurtaining to such building or hut or part of a building or hut, and (ii) any fittings affixed to such building or hut or part of a building or hut for the more beneficial enjoyment thereof; (d) "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (e) "Public premises" means any premises belonging to or allotted to State Government or taken on lease or requisitioned by or on behalf of the State Government and includes any premises belonging to or taken on lease by or on behalf of. (i) a local authority; (ii) any company as defined in S.3 of the Companies Act, 1955 (Central Act 1 of 1956), in which not less than fifty-one per cent of the paid up share capital is held by the State Government; 1[or any company which is subsidiary (within the meaning of the said Act) of the first mentioned company.] (iii) any Corporation (not being a company as defined in Section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956 ) established by or under 2[a Central Act or] a State Act and owned or controlled by the State Government; and (iv) a muzrai institution or religious or charitable institution under the management of the State Government; 3[4[(v) a Wakf, registered with the Karnataka State Board of Wakfs;] (vi) the State Government and the Government of Andhra Pradesh jointly, and under the management or administrative control of the Tungabhadra Board constituted by the Government of India under sub-section (4) of Section 66 of the Andhra State Act, 1953 (Central Act 30 of 1953).] 5[(vii) a University established under the Karnataka State Universities Act, 1976 (Karnataka Act 28 of 1976) or the University of Agricultural Sciences Act, 1963 (Karnataka Act 22 of 1963).] Explanation.For the purposes of this clause 'local authority' means. (a) a municipal corporation; (b) a town or city municipal council; 6[(bb) a market committee established under the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1966 (Karnataka Act 27 of 1966).] 7[(c) an Improvement Board established under the Karnataka Improvement Boards Act, 1976 (Karnataka Act 11 of 1976); 8 [(d) a Zilla Panchayat or Taluk Panchayat or Grama Panchayat established under the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 (Karnataka Act 14 of 1993);] (e) the Bangalore Development Authority constituted under the Bangalore Development Authority Act, 1976 (Karnataka Act 12 of 1976); (f) an Urban Development Authority constituted under the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act, 1987 (Karnataka Act 34 of 1987);] (f) "Rent" in relation to any public premises means the consideration payable periodically for the authorised occupation of the premises and includes, (i) any charge for electricity, water or any other services in connection with the occupation of the premises, (ii) any tax (by whatever name called) payable in respect of the premises, where such charge or tax is payable by the State Government, local authority or the corporate authority; (g) "Unauthorised occupation" in relation to any public premises, means the occupation by any person of the public premises, without authority for such occupation, and includes the continuance in occupation by any person of the public premises after the authority (whether by way of grant or any other mode of transfer) under which he was allowed to occupy the premises has expired or has been determined for any reason whatsoever. 1. Inserted by Act No. 14 of 2000, w.e.f. 27-4-2000 2. Inserted by Act No. 1 of 1977, w.e.f. 21-2-1977 3. Sub-clauses (v) and (vi) inserted by Act No. 28 of 1981 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30-9-1980 4. Sub-clause (v) substituted by Act No. 22 of 1999, w.e.f. 4-8- 1999 5. Sub-clause (vii) inserted by Act No. 4 of 1993 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 8-10-1992 6. Substituted for the word and figure "Class F by Act No. 49 of 1986, w.e.f. 30-12-1986 7. Inserted by Act No. 4 of 1993 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 8-10-1992 8. The word "and" omitted by Act No. 28 of 1981 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30-9-1980 3. Appointment of competent officers :- ] The State Government may, by notification. (a) appoint, (i) in respect of its premises such officers, not below the rank of a 1[Group B] officer of the State Civil Services; (ii) in respect of any premises of a local authority such officers of the local authority 2[or such officer not below the rank of Group B officer of the State Civil Services]; 3[x x x] (iii) in respect of any premises of a corporate authority, such officers of the corporate authority, as it thinks fit to be competent officers for the purpose of this Act 4[; and] 5 [(iv) in respect of any other premises, an officer of the State Civil Services or of any other authority.] (b) define the local limits within which or the categories of public premises in respect of which the competent officers shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed, on competent officers by or under this Act. 1. Substituted for the word and figure "Class F by Act No. 49 of 1986, w.e.f. 30-12-1986 2. Inserted by Act No. 4 of 1993 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 8-10-1992 3. The word "and" omitted by Act No. 28 of 1981 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30-9-1980 4. Inserted by Act No. 28 of 1981 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30-9-1980 5. Sub-clause (iv) inserted by Act No. 28 of 1981 and shall be deemed to have come into force w.e.f. 30-9-1980 4. Issue of notice to show cause against order of eviction :- (1) If the competent officer is of opinion that any persons are in unauthorised occupation of any public premises and that they should be evicted, the competent officer shall issue in the manner hereinafter provided a notice in writing calling upon all persons concerned to show cause why an order of eviction should not be made. (2) The notice shall. (a) specify the grounds on which the order of eviction is proposed to be made; and (b) require all persons concerned, that is to say, all persons who are, or may be, in occupation of or claim interest in the public premises to show cause, if any, against the proposed order on or before such date as is specified in the notice, being a date not earlier than ten days from the date of issue thereof. (3) The competent officer shall cause the notice to be served by having it affixed on the outer door or some other conspicuous part of the public premises, and in such other manner as may be prescribed whereupon the notice shall be deemed to have been duly given to all persons concerned. (4) Where the competent officer shows or has reason to believe that any persons are in occupation of the public premises then, without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) he shall cause a copy of the notice to be served on every such person by registered post or by delivering or tendering it to that person or failing service by the means aforesaid in such other manner as may be prescribed. 5. Eviction of unauthorised occupants :- (1) If, after considering the cause, if any, shown by any person in pursuance of a notice under Section 4 and any evidence he may produce in support of the same and after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard, the competent officer is satisfied that the public premises are in unauthorised occupation, the competent officer may on a date to be fixed for the purpose, make an order of eviction, for reasons to be recorded therein, directing that the public premises shall be vacated by all persons who may be in occupation thereof or any part thereof, and cause a copy of the order to be affixed on the outer door or some other conspicuous part of the public premises. (2) If any person refuses or fails to comply with the order of eviction within forty-five days from the date of affixture of the order under sub-section (1), the competent officer or any other officer duly authorised by the competent officer in this behalf may evict that person from, and take possession of, the public premises and may, for that purpose, use such force as may be necessary. 6. Disposal of property left on public premises by unauthorised occupants :- (1) Where any persons have been evicted from any public premises under Section 5 , the competent officer may, after giving fourteen days' notice to the persons from whom possession of the public premises has been taken and after publishing the notice in at least one newspaper having circulation in the locality and after proclaiming the contents of the notice in the locality by the beat of drum, remove or cause to be removed or displayed of by public auction any property remaining on such premises. (2) Where any property is sold under sub-section (1) the sale proceeds shall, after deducting the expenses of the sale and the amount, if any, due to the State Government or a local authority or a corporate authority on account of arrears of rent, damages or costs, be paid to such person or persons, as may appear to the competent officer to be entitled to the same: Provided that where the competent officer is unable to decide as to the person or persons to whom the balance of the amount is payable or as to the apportionment of the same, he may refer such dispute to the Civil Court of competent jurisdiction and the decision of the Court thereon shall be final. 7. Power to recover rent or damages in respect of public premises as arrears of land revenue :- (1) Where any person is in arrears of rent payable to the State Government or a local authority or a corporate authority in respect of any public premises, the competent officer may, by order, require that person to pay the same within such time and in such instalments as may be specified in the order. (2) Where any person is, or has at any time been, in unauthorised occupation of any public premises, the competent officer may, having regard to such principles of assessment of damages as may be prescribed, assess the damages on account of the use and occupation of such premises and may, by order, require that person to pay the damages within such time and in such instalments as may be specified in the order. (3) No order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be made against any person until after the issue of a notice in writing to the person calling upon him to show cause within such time as may be specified in the notice why such order should not be made, and until his objections, if any, and any evidence he may produce in support of the same, have been considered by the competent officer. 8. Rent to be recovered by deduction from salary or wages of employee :- Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 7 , where any person to whom public premises have been allotted is an employee of the State Government, or a local authority or a corporate authority and is in arrears of rent payable in respect of such public premises allotted to him, the amount of rent due in respect of such premises shall on a requisition in writing in that behalf by the competent officer be liable to be deducted from the salary or wages payable to such person. On receipt of such requisition, the head of the Government Department or officer under whom such person is employed or the officer of a local authority or a corporate authority disbursing the salary of such person, as the case may be, shall deduct from the salary or wages payable to such person the amount specified in the requisition, and pay the amount so deducted to the competent officer in satisfaction of the amount due by him. 9. Powers of competent officers. :- A competent officer shall, for the purpose of holding any inquiry under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908), when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; (c) any other matter which may be prescribed. 10. Appeals :- (1) An appeal shall lie from every order of the competent officer made in respect of any public premises under Section 5 or Section 7 to an appellate officer who shall be the District Judge, having jurisdiction over the area. (2) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be preferred, (i) in the case of an appeal from an order under Section 5 within thirty days from the date of affixture of the order under sub-section (1) of that section; and (ii) in the case of an appeal from an order under Section 7 within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to the appellant: Provided that the appellate officer may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if he is satisfied that the appellant was prevented be, sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. (3) Where an appeal is preferred from an order of the competent officer, the appellate officer may stay the enforcement of that order for such period and on such conditions as he deems fit. (4) Every appeal under this section shall be disposed of by the appellate officer as expeditiously as possible. (5) The cost of any appeal under this section shall be in the discretion of the appellate officer. 11. Finality of orders. :- Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, every order made by a competent officer or appellate officer under this Act shall be final and shall not be called in question in any original suit, application or execution proceedings and no injunction shall be granted by any Court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act. 12. Offences and penalty :- (1) If any person who has been evicted from any public premises under this Act again occupies the premises without authority for such occupation, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both. (2) Any magistrate convicting a person under sub-section (1) may make an order for evicting that person summarily and he shall be liable to such eviction without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against him under this Act. 13. Power to obtain information. :- If the prescribed officer has reason to believe that any person or persons are in unauthorised occupation of any public premises, he or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf may require those persons or any other person to furnish information relating to the names and other particulars of the persons in occupation of the public premises and every person so required shall be bound to furnish the information in his possession. 14. Liability of heirs and legal representatives. :- (1) Where any person against whom any proceeding for the determination of arrears of rent or for the assessment of damages is to be or has been taken dies before the proceeding is taken or during the pendency thereof, the proceeding may be taken or, as the case may be, continued against the heirs or legal representatives of that person. (2) Any amount due to the State Government or the local authority or the corporate authority from any person whether by way of arrears of rent or damages or costs shall, after the death of the person, be payable by his heirs of legal representatives but their liability shall be limited to the extent of the assets of the deceased in their hands. 15. Recovery of rent, etc., as an arrear of land revenue. :- If any person refuses or fails to pay the arrears of rent payable under sub-section (1) of Section 7 or the damages payable under sub-section (2) of that section or the cost awarded to the State Government or the local authority or the corporate authority under sub-section (5) of Section 10 or any portion of such rent, damages or costs within the time, if any, specified therefor in the order relating thereto, the competent officer may issue a certificate for the amount due to the Deputy Commissioner who shall proceed to recover the same as an arrear of land revenue. 16. Bar of jurisdiction :- No Court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of the eviction of any person who is in unauthorised occupation of any public premises or the recovery of the arrears of rent payable under sub-section (1) of Section 7 or the damages payable under sub-section (2) of that section or the costs awarded to the State Government or the Local Authority or the corporate authority under sub-section (5) of Section 10 or any portion of such rent, damages or costs. 17. Protection of action taken in good faith. :- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall be against the State Government or the local authority or the corporate authority or the appellate officer or the competent officer in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rules or orders made thereunder. 18. Power to make rules. :- (1) The State Government may, by notification make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely. (a) the form of any notice required or authorised to be given under this Act and the manner in which it may be served; (b) the holding of inquiries under this Act; (c) the procedure to be followed in taking possession of public premises; (d) the manner in which and the principles according to which damages for unauthorised occupation may be assessed; (e) the manner in which appeals may be preferred and the procedure to be followed in appeals; (f) any other matter which has to be or may be prescribed. (3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule, or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 19. Repeal and savings. :- The Karnataka Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1961 (Karnataka Act 3 of 1962), is hereby repealed: Provided that the provisions of Section 6 of the MYSORE GENERAL CLAUSES ACT, 1899 (Karnataka Act III of 1899), shall be applicable in respect of the repeal of the said enactment and Section 8 of the MYSORE GENERAL CLAUSES ACT, 1899 and Section 24 of the MYSORE GENERAL CLAUSES ACT, 1899 of the said Act shall be applicable as if the said enactment had been repealed and re-enacted by this Act.