Gnanasambandam v. The Rehabilitation of Property & Industries Authority (Repia) and Others – sllr 1997 volume 3 page 178

In the case between GNANASAMBANDAM (petitioner/tenant) and THE REHABILITATION OF PROPERTY & INDUSTRIES AUTHORITY (REPIA) and others (including the 5th respondent, an owner/co-owner, and the 3rd respondent, Chairman, REPIA), the court addressed the lawfulness of a divesting order under Regulation 14 and the adherence to the audi alteram partem principle in tenancy restoration actions following civil disturbances. It was held that REPIA acted in excess of its authority by issuing a letter and order reviving tenancy by operation of law and releasing the 5th respondent from obligations without giving the petitioner an opportunity to be heard, thus breaching procedural fairness. The judgment quashed the impugned divesting order, reaffirming that statutory bodies must act within their legal auth