The government has revoked the title deed of a piece of land where multi-billion AirGate Mall (formerly Taj Mall) sits.
National Land Commission (NLC) ordered Rameshchandra Gorasia, the owner of the mall, to surrender the title deed for regularlisation.
NLC stated that the mall was built on land with a merged title deed for two separate plots; one parcel is private while the other is a reserve for Outer-Ring road.
The decision will see Gorasia retain the part of the private plot while the other parcel will be surrendered to the state.
“The amalgamated title 209/13938 should be surrendered to the commission for regularisation and excision of 7075/13/1 which is vested in the national government for road expansion,” a statement from NLC said.
According to the lands commission the state acquired the land in question in 1960 for construction of Outer Ring Road and was gazetted as such on April 30, 1971.
“It is, therefore, the commission’s position that the property was compulsorily acquired for road expansion and it is thus a public utility and that any title held is revoked,”
Revocation of the title is a step towards the demolition set for this week.
On August 16, Gorasia accused the government of frustrating investors in the country through the ongoing demolitions.
"If you want to demolish the building, go ahead, I don't care. But If you have to demolish come and demolish it completely, don't come and demolish it partly. If you don't have money to clear it off please don't try to demolish it," the infuriated businessman remarked.
