Section 20 — Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service.

20.Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service, - (1) No
landlord or tenant either by himself or through any person shall cut-off or
withhold any essential supply or service in the premises occupied by the
tenant or the landlord.

      (2) In case of contravention of provisions of sub-section (1) and on
application from the tenant or the landlord, as the case may be, the Rent
Authority after examining the matter may pass an interim order directing
the restoration of supply of essential services immediately pending the
inquiry referred to in sub-section (3).
      (3) The Rent Authority shall conduct an inquiry against the
application made by the landlord or the tenant, as the case may be, and
complete the inquiry within one month of filing of such application.
      (4) The Rent Authority may also levy a penalty on the person
responsible for cutting off or withholding the essential supply, which may
extend upto an amount as may be prescribed.

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      (5) The Rent Authority may direct that compensation be paid to the
landlord or tenant if it finds that the application was made frivolously or
veraciously.
Explanation- Essential services includes supply of water electricity, lights
in passages, lifts and on staircase, conservancy, parking, communication
links and sanitary services or such other services as may be specified by the
Government.



                         CHAPTER-V
        REPOSSESSION OF THE PREMISES BY THE LANDLORD