Cost of Filing an Eviction, Declaration & Injunction Suit in Howrah (Complete Guide 2026)

Howrah District Court Eviction Case Cost: Court Fees, Lawyer Fees & Real Expenses

When a landlord faces a situation where a tenant or licencee stops paying rent and even begins to question the landlord’s ownership of the property, the landlord often needs to file a civil suit. In Howrah, if the property value is around 20 to 30 lakhs, such a case is normally filed in the Munsiff Court. The suit generally asks for eviction, declaration of title, and a permanent injunction against the person occupying the property.

Here is a clear and simple explanation of what the costs may look like.

Situation of the Case

A person took two rooms from the landlord under an 11-month licence agreement on ₹10 stamp paper. He lived there for five months and then stopped paying rent of ₹2,000 per month. Later, he began to question the landlord’s title and refused to leave.
This creates three legal needs:

1. Eviction of the licencee
2. Declaration that the landlord is the lawful owner
3. Permanent injunction stopping the licencee from disturbing possession

To start the case, the landlord must pay court fees and then pay the lawyer for the legal work.

1. Court Fees (Actual Government Fees)

These fees are fixed and must be paid by every litigant, no matter which lawyer they choose.

So, simply to file the case, the landlord must spend around ₹24,100.

2. Lawyer’s Charges (Standard Chamber Example)

Different chambers in Howrah charge differently. But using a standard and practical example, here is a typical cost structure:

a) Before Filing

• Consultation: ₹5,000
• Drafting the plaint: ₹5,000
• Clerical, stationery, photocopying, printing, filing charges, out-of-pocket: ₹3,000
• Notice to each defendant: ₹1,500 (if there are two defendants, then ₹3,000)

b) During the Case

A mid-range lawyer usually handles drafting, filings, and appearances. A junior lawyer may handle adjournments. A senior advocate may help in cross-examination or argument if required.

• Appearance fee (mid-range lawyer): ₹1,500 per hearing
  Example assumed: 15 hearings
  → ₹1,500 × 15 = ₹22,500
• Cost of adjournment (junior lawyer): ₹300 per adjournment
  Example assumed: 15 hearings
  → ₹300 × 15 = ₹4,500
• Drafting of Affidavit-in-Chief: ₹5,000
• Cross-examination of defendants
  Standard rate (per head, per day): ₹3,000
  Example assumed: 2 defendants × 2 days = 4 sessions
  → ₹3,000 × 4 = ₹12,000

c) Final Stage

• Argument by a senior advocate: ₹6,000
• Certified copy of judgment and decree: ₹3,000

d) Other Possible Charges

• File-retaining charges (some chambers): ₹5,000 (optional)

3. Total Estimated Cost

Let us add the practical costs assuming all the above stages occur:

Core lawyer’s costs

• Consultation: ₹5,000
• Drafting: ₹5,000
• Clerical etc.: ₹3,000
• Notices (2 defendants): ₹3,000
• 15 appearances: ₹22,500
• 15 adjournments: ₹4,500
• Affidavit-in-Chief: ₹5,000
• Cross-examination (4 sessions): ₹12,000
• Senior’s argument: ₹6,000
• Certified copies: ₹3,000

Subtotal (lawyer-related): ₹69,000

If file-retaining charges apply: ₹5,000 → ₹74,000

Add Court Fees

Court fees: ₹24,100
Total estimated cost: ₹93,100 to ₹98,000 (approx.)

This is a practical estimate for a case lasting about 6 years, which is common in lower civil courts.

4. Possible Variations in Cost

The actual cost may be higher or lower, depending on:

• The lawyer’s experience
• Whether a senior advocate is hired for cross-examination
• Number of witnesses
• Number of adjournments
• Increase in court fees if property valuation changes
• Professional standards of the chamber

Some seniors charge:

• ₹5,000–₹6,000 per day for cross-examination, or
• ₹10,000 for arguments

So cost may increase if more senior involvement is needed.

5. Important Practical Advice for Litigants

1. Do not choose a lawyer like shopping for goods.
   A cheap lawyer may not handle the case properly.
2. Avoid “dalals” or unprofessional middlemen.
3. Consult a senior advocate at least once, even if your case will be run day-to-day by a mid-range lawyer.
4. A low-range lawyer with 30 years of experience may still not be suitable for a complex eviction + declaration case.
5. If the property value is above ₹50 lakhs, be especially careful in choosing the conducting lawyer and the senior advocate.
6. You may:
   • First, consult a senior
   • Then hire a mid-range lawyer to conduct the daily proceedings
     This keeps costs balanced while maintaining case strength.

Last word

Filing an Eviction + Declaration + Permanent Injunction suit in Howrah Munsiff Court generally costs between ₹93,000 and ₹98,000 over several years. The largest part of the cost is court fees and multiple appearances over the life of the case. Costs vary depending on the lawyer, the chamber, and the duration of the case.

This estimate helps a litigant prepare financially and choose the right lawyer for a long civil dispute. If the property value is higher, or if a senior advocate handles more stages, the total cost will increase accordingly.

Note: The above example was actually provided to a reputated consumer body on January 6, 2026.

Read More

• Execution Petition Pending List (Civil Judge Sr. Div) Howrah Court (14th Feb 2026)
• Howrah District Court Handbook