A Delhi Court on Thursday ruled that one cannot be denied rent hike of ones' premises, hired by the government, on the ground that the same is being used for a public service. The court directed the postal department to pay 7 lakh rupees as damages to a woman for refusing to revise the rent.

The court gave the ruling on a civil suit by a Delhi resident against the postal department seeking recovery of rent at hiked rates. The court ruled that there was no law that provides for differential treatment for those providing public utility service.

The postal department had opposed woman's plea saying it had hired the premises for providing public services and not for any profit making enterprise.