Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service.

(1) No landlord or tenant either by himself or through any person shall cut-off or withhold any essential supply or service in the premises occupied by the tenant or the landlord. (2) In case of contravention of sub-section (1) and on complaint from the tenant or the landlord, as the case may be, the Rent Authority, after examining the matter, may pass an interim order directing the restoration of supply of essential services immediately pending the inquiry referred to in sub-section (3). (3) The Rent Authority shall conduct an inquiry against the complaint made by the landlord or the tenant, as the case may be, and complete the inquiry within one month of filing of such complaint. (4) The Rent Authority may also levy a penalty on the person responsible for cutting off or withholding the essential supply, which may extend to an amount of loss or damage as may be prescribed. (5) The Rent Authority may direct that compensation be paid to the landlord or tenant if it finds that the complaint was made frivolously or vexaciously. Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, essential services includes supply of water, electricity, lights in passages, lifts and on staircases, conservancy, parking, communication links, sanitary services and the like.