High Court Directs GMR Chairman To Vacate Residential Premises, Hand Over Pushpanjali Farms

The Delhi High Court has ordered GM Rao, the chairman of the GMR Group, to leave his home in Pushpanjali Farms. He has to hand over the 2.45-acre land to Onkar Infotech, the present owners. Delhi International Airport (DIAL) case, arguing that Onkar's eviction suit was unmaintainable, was dismissed by the court.

Justice Subramonium Prasad ruled: “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 Prasad added that the unregistered lease could not be considered sufficient evidence to determine the lease period, noting that the defendants, DIAL and GM Rao, were effectively month-to-month tenants. “The lease deed stood terminated vide Notice on August 7, 2024,” the court observed.

A GMR spokesperson said the company was reviewing the court's decision and would explore suitable legal options.

The dispute dates back to 2020 when Indus Sor Urja, the then-owner of the land, entered into an unregistered lease agreement with DIAL and the Airports Authority of India for use of the property. In 2024, Onkar Infotech bought Pushpanjali Farms from Indus for Rs 115 crore through a registered sale deed, acquiring all rights, titles and interests in the property.

After the purchase, Onkar Infotech demanded vacant and peaceful ownership of the property and gave a 15-day notice to end the lease. DIAL, however, objected to the move, stating that while the majority of the property was still agricultural, a piece of it was residential. The company contended that the full 2.45 acres could not be presumed to be exempt from the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, in the absence of a clear demarcation.

DIAL and GMR further maintained that the earlier lease with Indus was unregistered as negotiations for a potential purchase were on. They also highlighted the investments made to prepare the property for the CMD's use.

With the court order now in place, GM Rao is required to vacate the premises unless the GMR Group pursues further legal remedies.