OM PRAKASH GUPTA vs RATTAN SINGH AND ANOTHER

The Supreme Court held that under the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958, specifically Section 15, a mere denial of the landlord-tenant relationship by the tenant does not oust the jurisdiction of the Rent Controller. The Court clarified that the Rent Controller can determine the existence of this relationship for the benefit of the tenant, and if a party invokes the provisions of Section 15, they are deemed to accept the jurisdiction. The appellant's failure to appeal the striking out of his defense resulted in the finality of the tenant status, which could not be re-agitated.