Delhi HC directs GMR chairman to vacate his residential premises & hand over 2.45 acre Pushpanjali Farms

The Delhi High Court has directed GM Rao, chairman of GMR group that owns the Delhi International Airport, to vacate his residential premises and hand over the 2.45 acre Pushpanjali Farms to Onkar Infotech, the present owners.

The court rejected the contention of the Delhi International Airport (DIAL) that Onkar’s eviction suit was not maintainable.

“The land in question which is being used only for the residential purpose of CMD of DIAL will not come under the definition of Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 as the same is not being used for agricultural or horticultural purposes,” Justice Subramonium Prasadruled. “The lease being unregistered cannot be an evidence for ascertaining the time period of the lease. The defendants (DIAL and CMD) were month-to-month tenants and the lease deed stood terminated vide Notice on August 7, 2024.”


"We are reviewing the order and shall be taking appropriate legal remedy," a GMR spokesperson said.

In 2020, Indus Sor Urja (the erstwhile owner) had executed an unregistered agreement with DIAL and the Airports Authority of India, for the lease of the land on Pushpanjali Farms.

In 2024, Onkar Infotech and Indus executed a registered sale deed on consideration of Rs 115 crore and became the owner of the Pushpanjali Farms property and all rights, title, and interest of Indus were transferred to Onkar.

Last year, Onkar issued a 15-day notice for termination of the lease of DIAL and sought vacant and peaceful possession of the premises as the lease stood terminated.

However, DIAL opposed the termination, saying premises of the Pushpanjali property were used for the purpose of residence and the remaining balance was agricultural land. In the absence of any demarcation, it cannot be said that the entire land is outside the ambit of the application of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, it contended.

The GMR-led JV further stated that the earlier lease deed with Indus was unregistered as they were in active negotiations for purchase of the property and a substantial amount of money had been spent for making the property fit for its chief.