Supreme Court directs JDA to take possession of Laxmi Vilas, Kanak Bhawan in Jaipur
The curtain comes down on this two decade old legal dispute between JDA and occupants.
Last Updated:
Jaipur: Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) will soon take possession of two most prime location properties in Jaipur’s Central Park – Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel and Kanak Bhawan. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in the favour of JDA in this over two decades old dispute and asked the civic body to get the properties vacated in the next two months, a JDA lawyer said.
The apex court rejected Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by the former royal family of Jaipur and others currently occupying the property.
Read Also: JDA asks occupants of Kanak Bhawan, Laxmi Vilas to vacate in 10 days
The ruling is being considered a big victory for JDA because the SC has put a stay on any orders from lower courts until JDA executes the possession process, JDA lawyer Ajay Choudhary said.
The JDA acquired Laxmi Vilas Hotel, Kanak Bhawan and other surrounding land spread over an area of 322 bigha, that is now part of the Central Park in 1973-74.
JDA took possession unoccupied land in 1993, while the possession of the two properties – Laxmi Vilas and Kanak Bhawan stayed with the occupants.
Then Jaipur development commissioner (JDC) served a notice to vacate Kanak Bhawan and Laxmi Vilas in 1995, starting the legal dispute between the two parties.
A public interest litigation was filed with Rajasthan high court. The court in 2010 ruled in favour of JDA.
The occupents then approached the Supreme against the Rajasthan high court ruling and filed a special leave petition (SLP).
The bench of justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitabh Roy rejected all three SLPs.
It directed the JDA to vacate the property in the next two months.
“The court has also put a stay on any order from lower courts when the possession process is underway. We have been asked to file compliance report in the next two months,” said the lawyer.
The two properties are spread over an area of 10 bigha.
What these properties will be used for is yet to be decided.
JDA is yet to receive a copy of the court’s order.
JDA officials said that guidance would be sought from the state government on the use of the properties.
