First director general of DIA to pay Rs 1.16 cr as due rent

A Delhi court has ordered India's first director general of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Kamal Davar and his family to pay R1.16 crore as damages along with interest charges for over staying in a rented accommodation in Connaught Place. Sumit Saxena reports.

A Delhi court has ordered India's first director general of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Kamal Davar and his family to pay R1.16 crore as damages along with interest charges for over staying in a rented accommodation in Connaught Place.

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The court noted tenants made the property their "family nest", as they occupied the premises for more than 70 years; and refused to vacate it.

Additional district judge Sanjeev Jain said, "Once defendants (tenants) become unauthorised occupants in the premises, they are liable to pay the damages at the market value of the property."

Joginder Lal Kuthiala filed a petition in 1995 against Davar and his family including his brothers retired captain Praveen Davar, Yogesh Davar and their sister Asha Jaggi for not vacating the ground floor of B-52 at Connaught Place.

Speaking to HT Kamal Davar said, "Initially, my parents were tenant in the house. I have nothing to do with it as my brother is the one who is responsible for that property."

Kuthiala told the court that initially MC Davar, father of Kamal Davar, was the first tenant at the property in 1940's. After his death, his wife Leelawati Davar became the legal tenant at the property.

Kuthiala contended that after the death of his mother in 1994, Kamal along with his brothers and sister became the illegal occupants in the property.

The court ordered Davar to pay R60,000 per month at the time of institution of the suit in the year 1995 (inclusive of house tax, charges etc.) and the market rent would have been increased by at least 5% every year. The total sum becomes in excess of R1.16 crore.