New Delhi, Sep 8 - The Delhi High Court Tuesday pulled up a tenant of a shop for occupying the premises illegally and not paying the rent for it.

Justice V.B.Gupta termed as 'most bogus and frivolous' the appeal of Shahbuddin challenging a trial court's order to vacate a shop in Okhla area of South Delhi, and dismissed it with costs to the appellant. He also asked Shahbuddin to pay rent arrears of Rs.166,000.

'It is nothing but an abuse of the process of law. Decree for possession was passed in 2006, but till date, the appellant has neither vacated the premises nor is paying any rent or damages in spite of court's earlier order.'

'Appellant is enjoying the property without paying even single penny,' the justice noted.

Shahbuddin had rented the shop from Mohd Akhlaq in 2003. The trial court had June 5 this year asked Shahbuddin to vacate the premises and pay the pending dues.

'This appeal is most frivolous and bogus one and has been filed just to deprive the landlord of the fruits of the decree. Such type of frivolous appeal deserved to be dismissed and cost of Rs. 25,000 is imposed,' the judge said in his order.