RAMNIKLAL DEVCHAND vs BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PORT OF BOMBAY

The Supreme Court held that the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, as applicable to the Bombay Port Trust since 1980, preclude the civil court from entertaining eviction proceedings initiated prior to that date. The Court interpreted Section 15 of the Act, affirming that the term 'entertain' refers to the date of hearing, thus confirming the High Court's decision to dismiss the petition on jurisdictional grounds. Consequently, the petition was dismissed for lack of merit.