Shillong, July 3: The Meghalaya High Court has given some relief to tenants and lessees living on Ministry of Defence land in Shillong Cantonment, after they challenged a sudden and steep increase in their lease rent.

A two-judge bench led by Chief Justice I.P. Mukherjee and Justice W. Diengdoh heard three appeals, including one from a tenants’ association. The tenants complained that the new rent raised from as little as ₹3 per month to over ₹13,000 was unfair and too high.

The Court said that while the Defence Ministry has the right to increase rent under its Standard Rent Determination (STR) policy, it must also act fairly and clearly explain its demands.

What the Court Ordered:
Tenants must pay 40% of the rent arrears (up to May 31, 2025) by December 31, 2025, either at once or in instalments.

From June 2025 onwards, they must pay 40% of the revised monthly rent regularly.

The Defence authorities must issue proper demand notices. Any rent already paid will be adjusted.

If tenants fail to pay, the authorities can take legal action.

The Court did not cancel the new rent rates, but gave tenants more time and asked the Ministry to be transparent. This decision tries to balance the government’s rights with the financial difficulties faced by the tenants.