Section 5 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971
1 [(1) If, after considering the cause, if any, shown by any person in pursuance of a notice under section 4 and any evidence produced by him in support of the same and after personal hearing, if any, given under sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 4, the estate officer is satisfied that the public premises are in unauthorised occupation, the estate officer shall make an order of eviction, for reasons to be recorded therein, directing that the public premises shall be vacated, on such date as may be specified in the order but not later than fifteen days from the date of the order, by all persons who may be in occupation thereof or any part thereof, and cause a copy of the order to be affixed on the outer door or some other conspicuous part of the public premises: Provided that every order under this sub-section shall be made by the estate officer as expeditiously as possible and all endeavour shall be made by him to issue the order within fifteen days of the date specified in the notice under sub-section (1) or sub-section (1A), as the case may be, of section 4.]
- (2)If any person refuses or fails to comply with the order of eviction 2 [on or before the date specified in the said order or within fifteen days of the date of its publication under sub-section(1), whichever is later,] the estate officer or any other officer duly authorised by the estate officer in this behalf 3 [may after the date so specified or after the expiry of the period aforesaid, whichever is later, evict that person] from, and take possession of, the public premises and may, for that purpose, use such force as may be necessary. 4 [Provided that if the estate officer is satisfied, for reasons to be recorded in writing, that there exists any compelling reason which prevents the person from vacating the premises within fifteen days, the estate officer may grant another fifteen days from the date of expiry of the order under sub-section (1) to the person to vacate the premises.]
Summary
- An estate officer can order people to leave public premises if they are living there without permission.
- Before making this order, the officer must look at any answers the person gave to an earlier notice and any proof they showed.
- A copy of the eviction order must be pasted on the outer door or a visible part of the property.
- If a person refuses to leave by the deadline, the officer can forcefully remove them and take back the property.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can the estate officer use force to evict someone?
Yes, if the person refuses to comply with the eviction order by the deadline, the officer can use necessary force to remove them.
2. How will the person know about the eviction order if they are not home?
A copy of the order must be attached to the outer door or another obvious part of the premises.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 5 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, what is the maximum initial time limit an estate officer can set for a person to vacate the premises after making an order?
Q2.Under Section 5 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, where must the eviction order be displayed?
Q3.Under Section 5 and Section 4 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, what must happen before the estate officer can make an eviction order?
Q4.Under Section 5 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, what action can the estate officer take if a person refuses to leave by the specified date?
Q5.Under Section 5 of The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, how long can the estate officer extend the eviction deadline if there is a compelling reason?