J.L. VARANDANI vs SMT. ASHALATA MUKHERJEE (DEAD) BY LRS.

The Supreme Court held that under the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1956, specifically Sections 17(2), 17(2A), and 17(4), the failure to strike off the defense does not imply that the court condoned the delay in rent deposit. The Court emphasized that Section 17(2B) mandates that any application for extension of time must be made before the expiration of the specified time, which the appellant failed to do. Consequently, the appellant was not entitled to relief under Section 17(4) due to non-compliance with the court's order, and the lower court's orders were upheld.