Shillong (Meghalaya), July 3 : The Meghalaya High Court has delivered a significant judgment in a batch of appeals filed by leaseholders in the Shillong Cantonment area, challenging the sudden and substantial increase in rent. The court, comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh, disposed of the appeals today, July 3, 2025, and directed the appellants to pay 40% of the arrear demand and current lease rent.
The dispute arose when the Shillong Cantonment Board issued demand notices to leaseholders, claiming significantly higher rents based on the Standard Table of Rent (STR) fixed by the Ministry of Defence. The appellants argued that the rent increase was arbitrary and excessive, and challenged the STR fixation.
The court considered the guidelines for preparation of STR, including the notification of the Ministry of Defence dated January 31, 1976, and the policy dated March 10, 2017. The court also relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Jamshed Hormusji Wadia v. Mumbai & unr, which emphasizes the importance of fairness and reasonableness in state actions.
The High Court directed the respondent authorities to issue formal detailed demand notices claiming current and arrear rentals with interest and other levies, if permissible. The appellants are required to pay 40% of the arrear demand till May 31, 2025, by December 31, 2025, and 40% of the current lease rent demand from June 2025 punctually.
The court’s decision modifies the impugned judgment and order, and there is no order as to costs.
