Sudhakaran vs Corp. Of Trivandrum & Anr

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 492(3) of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, affirming that the consent of the owner is only required for the initial application for a license, not for renewals. The Court held that a statutory tenant, who has been in possession and has previously held a valid license, cannot be denied renewal based on the lack of fresh consent from the landlord. The appeal was allowed, reinforcing the rights of statutory tenants under the Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1965, against arbitrary actions by local authorities.