In 1948, Rattan Chand Ahluwalia rented a shop from Atal Behari Sharma’s father in the heart of Chandni Chowk’s photo market for what may have then been a handsome amount of Rs 72 per month.

In true business family tradition, Ahluwalia’s son Pawan now runs Rattan Studio from the shop.

The rent, however, continues to be Rs 72.

Unfortunately for Sharma, even that paltry sum stopped coming in after he filed a case with a city court in 1985 to evict the Ahluwalias, claiming he required the premises for himself.

Sharma’s tale is not unique. Protected by a flawed Rent Control Act (1958), which forbids landlords from evicting tenants, most landlords in the Walled City are forced to allow the tenants to pay nominal rent amount, even when the market rates continue to skyrocket.

The April 2008 Supreme Court order has, however, brought a ray of hope for the 55-year-old Sharma who is struggling to provide for his family of five with the little money he makes from his tiny stall adjacent to the comparatively spacious Rattan Studio.

According to the apex court order, a landlord can evict tenants if “the premises are required bonafide by the landlord for himself or for any member of his family dependent on him.” Sharma is now in the process of compiling documents so that he can file a request under the ‘bonafide’ order.

Buildings crumble

As the landlord-tenant argument continues, the buildings in Chandni Chowk are bearing the brunt as neither of the two parties spend on their maintenance. “How do I maintain my premises, when I don’t even earn enough to feed my family? The property generates no income for me so how can its upkeep be my responsibility?” Sharma asks.

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