India, April 24 -- The Bombay High Court ruled that individuals living with tenants out of affection or caregiving, without any blood or legally recognised relationship, cannot claim tenancy rights, directing a domestic worker and his wife to vacate a flat in south Mumbai. He was employed as full-time domestic help in 1948 and continued to live in the flat, along with his wife, even after the legal tenant's death in 1985, the court noted.

The dispute pertains to a flat in Shanker Bhavan, Gamdevi, originally occupied by PS Athwankare as a tenant. The owners of the flat claim that although the tenancy was terminated in November 1965, Athwankare continued to reside there until his death in August 1985.

After his demise, his domestic help, ...