(1) An arrcar of rcnr shall hcar simplc in~ercst n t the rate or In1cmlnn !
nrrcan. six and a quaner per rertrrrrrl pcr rr~lnrrm from rhc expira~ion of the Bcngnli ycar in which ll~e rent falls due ro thc dxrc af pnymcnt or of thc insti~ution of rhc suir, whichcvcr date is carlicr.
(2) Nothing in any con tract betwee11 a landlord and n non-agriculturi~l m a n 1 made bcrorc or a r m thc cumnienccrnrni o l this Act shall arlcct h e provisions or sub-sccrion ( I ) rcl31inp 10 jnlerrsl pny3bIc on ,mcnrs ol' renl.
58. ( I ) If, in any suit hrough~ for the recovery of nrrcars or rcnr, i t appcars to the Coun that the delendant tias, nlill~out rcason;~hlc or probable causc, ncglcctcd or refused rD pay lbe anlounl of rcnl duc by him, rhc Courl lnny award rt) thc painriff, in addi~ion LO [be amounl dccrccd for rent and cosrs, such dunagcs, nor exceeding twelve and a balfp~'~~ccnrurn cln die amount of rcnt dzcrccd, ns it lhinks l i t :
I'mvidcd that intcresl shall not bc dcorced when damages are awarded under this section:
Provided also that whcrc danlagcs are awarded- ( i ) the amount of such damages shall nor bc lcss than thc intcrcst accruing up to the dale of the insriturion ofthc s u i ~ .
and
(ii) interest on lIle arrcar may bc awardcd from thc dare of [he institution of the suil up ro the darc or paymcnt at such rarc as the Coun direcrs.
(2) If, in any suit brought for the recovery of urrcm of renl. i r appears ro rhc Court that the plainliff has instiruled the suit without roasonahlc or probablc cause, [he Courl may award to 111c dcfcndanl, by way nof damages, such sum, not exceeding rwelve and a hallper ceutrrrrr on rhc w h n l ~ grnnllnt r l a i r n ~ d hv thr nlninrifF n< i l ~hinL.s 51 Power lo illc-xd da~nagcs on rcnl wirhhcld withnu1 rwonnblc cause. ortu dcicndm 1111pmprly sucd lor xnt.
Non- ~gricullunl Icnan1 not linbls t~ Innskrcc o f Iutdlord's inlewsl lor rcnl paid 10 iormtr landlord withour nolicc olthc tmsler.
Tile Wesf Bengal Null-Agr-icrrlt/rl-ol Tt~lrntcy Acr, 1949.
[Wcst Ben. Act