Centre initiates eviction proceedings against Sujan Singh Park North in New Delhi
The Union government has initiated eviction proceedings against Sujan Singh Park North, an upscale colonial-era building complex next to Khan Market in New Delhi, after terminating its historic 1945 lease over unresolved breaches. The Land and Development Office (L&DO), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, issued the eviction notice to real estate firm Sir Sobha Singh and Sons on June 11, asserting that the property has been occupied without legal authority since 1960.
The complex, which includes the iconic Ambassador Hotel, was built and is still run by Sir Sobha Singh and Sons. According to the L&DO, the 1945 land lease was officially re-entered—meaning terminated—on August 5, 1960, because the company failed to rectify breaches of two specific lease clauses.
The L&DO stated that no renewal, fresh allotment, or new lease has been executed since 1960, making the ongoing occupation of the property unauthorized under the law. The eviction proceedings have been initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, with the firm directed to recover possession from sub-tenants.
This action follows an April 22 Supreme Court judgment which ruled that the property is a "government grant." Subsequently, on April 30, the L&DO issued a demand notice to the company, seeking a payment of Rs 940 crore for lease condition breaches.
In response to the June 11 eviction notice, Sir Sobha Singh and Sons approached the Delhi High Court. Shaunak Kashyap, the advocate representing the firm, stated that the company secured "substantive relief" during a High Court hearing.
Kashyap explained that the eviction notice had rested on a June 9 judgment from the Tis Hazari court, which had struck down a decree in favour of the government. During the High Court hearing, the government’s counsel agreed not to rely on the Tis Hazari court judgment and withdrew the operative portion of the notice that threatened immediate eviction.
While the High Court did not issue a formal stay, Kashyap argued that the government's withdrawal of the operative basis of the eviction notice provided the company with substantial relief. He added that the firm has challenged the L&DO’s jurisdiction in this matter.
