HARCHARAN SINGH vs SHIV RANI AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 and Section 114 of the Indian Evidence Act, when a notice is served by refusal, the tenant is imputed with knowledge of its contents. The Court clarified that it is not necessary for the addressee to open the envelope or for the contents to be read to an illiterate person for knowledge to be imputed. The suit for eviction under Section 14(1) of the U.P. Cantonment (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1952 was deemed maintainable, and the appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision to grant eviction to the landlords.