LandAllotment – Delhi Authorities Reclaim Rafi Marg Property After Court Order
LandAllotment – The office premises of United News of India (UNI) at 9, Rafi Marg in New Delhi have been sealed and taken over by authorities following a court-backed decision over long-standing violations of land allotment conditions. The action comes after decades of inaction on a project that was originally intended to serve media institutions.
Court Upholds Cancellation of Allotment
The Delhi High Court, in a judgment delivered on March 20, supported the decision of the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to cancel UNI’s allotment of the prime government land. The court found that due process had been followed, including the issuance of a show cause notice in January 2023 and subsequent evaluation of the response.
The court also directed officials to immediately take possession of the property and ensure its use aligns with legal and institutional requirements. Acting on these instructions, authorities formally assumed control of the premises shortly after the ruling.
Four Decades of Inaction Highlighted
According to court findings, the land was allotted to UNI in 1979 with a clear condition: a composite office complex for media organizations had to be constructed within a specified timeframe. However, no development took place over more than 40 years.
Despite multiple opportunities provided by the government through extensions and revised terms in 1986, 1999, and 2000, UNI failed to make meaningful progress. There were no finalized building plans, no agreements with co-allottees, and no substantial steps toward initiating construction.
Financial Constraints and Ownership Changes
In 2022, UNI acknowledged its inability to proceed with the project due to financial limitations. The court observed that an entity unable to fulfill the purpose of land allotment cannot continue to hold rights over such property.
Complicating matters further, UNI underwent insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. A resolution plan approved in 2025 transferred control of the organization to a private entity. The court noted that this shift occurred without prior approval from the original lessor, effectively altering the nature of the allottee.
This change was deemed inconsistent with the original purpose of allotment, which was intended for a not-for-profit media body. The involvement of a commercial entity was considered a violation of the terms under which the land was granted.
Lack of Coordination and Stakeholder Impact
The project was initially designed as a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the Press Council of India. However, the court noted that UNI failed to cooperate in joint development efforts.
There were repeated concerns from co-allottees about delays and lack of coordination. The Press Council reportedly faced obstacles due to UNI’s failure to vacate allocated portions and its absence from planning discussions. These issues stalled the entire project and affected other stakeholders’ ability to proceed.
Misuse of Land and Policy Violations
Court records also pointed to instances of unauthorized use of the premises. Activities such as operating a canteen and proposals to lease large portions of the land for commercial purposes were found to be inconsistent with the institutional nature of the allotment.
Additionally, UNI’s response to the show cause notice was described as vague and lacking substantive justification. The court emphasized that the allotment was conditional, not absolute ownership, and could be revoked if terms were breached.
Public Interest and Resource Utilization
The land in question is located in a highly valuable area of the capital. The court observed that leaving such a resource unused for decades amounted to a significant waste of public assets.
It reaffirmed the principle that land allocated for specific purposes must be utilized within a reasonable period and strictly in accordance with the agreed conditions. Failure to do so obligates authorities to intervene and ensure optimal use.
The judgment concluded that UNI had neither demonstrated intent nor capacity to fulfill its obligations, and its actions had undermined the purpose of the allotment. As a result, the cancellation was deemed lawful and in the broader public interest.
Following the ruling, the L&DO completed the process of reclaiming the property, marking the end of a prolonged dispute over one of Delhi’s prime institutional land parcels.