Attorney General v. Chandran and Another – sllr 1990 volume 1 page 415

In the case of The Attorney-General (Plaintiff) v. the 1st and 2nd accused respondents (Defendants), the court considered whether former tenants, having vacated their leased premises and surrendered the keys to the landlord’s agent—thereby mutually cancelling the tenancy—could be deemed trespassers upon subsequent re-entry. The findings established that upon removal of belongings and transfer of keys, the tenancy was effectively terminated, extinguishing any lawful right of re-entry for the accused. Upon re-entry by the 1st accused, it was determined that a trespass occurred since occupation had transferred to the landlord’s agent, and the intent to annoy, required under section 434 of the Penal Code, was substantiated. The prior Magistrate’s view—treating the accused as continuing tenants