Sources in the Urban Development Ministry, which is studying both the 1958 Act and the 1995 Delhi Rent Control Act, said neither the ruling Congress nor any other party would ratify the new Act before the polls. "There is no question," said the ministry official while dismissing the possibility of a more relevant Act coming in as per the apex court order. "Whichever Act is implemented will set either the tenants or property owners against the party that implements it."

The 1995 Act was brought in by then Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana.

Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran said, "We are studying the Supreme Court judgment and looking at the Parliamentary motions with regards to the new Act. We are seeing if any changes, if at all, are required. It had been notified by the Parliament in 1995 and should have been placed before the Cabinet since."

But Delhi Government has reasons to be apprehensive if the new Act is not implemented soon. "We will introduce the system of Title Registrations in the city soon," a senior government official said, "and this system involves determining and registering ownership of any particular property. It will cut down property disputes and litigations while providing a boost to sales.

"But if the '58 Act stays, it will get in the way of Title Registrations. How does one determine with certainty the true ownership of a property without the Centre taking a stand?"

Acts: 1958 vs 1995