India, Nov. 9 -- The Bombay High Court has upheld eviction orders against an ascetic occupying a portion of the main staircase at the Babulnath temple, ruling that the space cannot be considered "premises" under the Bombay Rent Act and therefore cannot be claimed as a protected tenancy.

Justice MM Sathaye dismissed a petition filed by Dharmaraj Maharaj, who had argued that he was a protected tenant of the temple trust. The court directed him to vacate the space within six weeks.

The dispute concerns a small, partially enclosed area on a mid-landing of the staircase leading to the centuries-old Babulnath temple in Gamdevi. The court noted that the structure consisted only of two walls and formed part of a common passage used by devotees....