Ashok Kumar & Others vs Sita Ram

The Supreme Court held that under Section 21(1)(a) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972, the bona fide need of the landlord must be established for eviction. The Court found that the High Court improperly interfered with the Appellate Authority's factual findings regarding the landlord's bona fide need, which were supported by cogent reasons. Consequently, the Supreme Court restored the eviction order of the prescribed authority, emphasizing that findings of fact should not be disturbed unless there is a manifest error.