Procedure to be followed by Rent Controlling Authority or grant of leave to tenant to contest.

23D. Procedure to be followed by Rent Controlling Authority or grant of leave to tenant to contest. - (1) Where leave is granted to the tenant to contest the application, the Rent Controlling Authority shall commence the hearing of the application as early as (1)... practicable and decide the same, as far as may be, within six months of the order of granting of leave to the tenant to contest application. (2) The Rent Controlling Authority shall, while holding an enquiry in a proceeding to which this Chapter applies, follow as far as practicable, the practice and procedure of a Court of Small Causes including the recording of evidence under the Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887 (IX of 1887). The Rent Controlling Authority shall as far as possible, proceed with the hearing of the application from day to day. (3) In respect of an application by a landlord it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, the requirement by the landlord with reference to clause (a) or clause (b), as the case may be of Section 23-A is bona fide.