LUCKNOW: Is it a fairy tale in which everybody will live happily ever after? Custodian, Enemy Property, Mumbai, has reportedly ordered the district magistrate, Lucknow to hand over the papers of the properties of Raja Mehmoodabad, Mohammed Amir Mohammad Khan, back to him since he has won the case in the Supreme Court. There is hope for the tenants though, as the order says the property should be handed over on a 'as is where is' basis.
It does not mention eviction of the premises.
The showroom-owners who were using the disputed properties as tenants and paying rent to the Custodian got a phone call from the office concerned in Mumbai informing them about the order. The order was faxed by Dinesh Singh, who is heading the Enemy Property office, Mumbai, to the DM on Friday. According to Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SDM, Sadar, "the papers of the concerned properties are likely to be handed over to Raja Saheb on December 19 during office hours in the Collectorate." When TOI contacted Raja Saheb's residence, it was informed that he was still in Delhi.The fax, however, has made the showroom-owners a relieved lot. They are quite hopeful as there are bright chances of negotiating a deal with the Raja. They have well-established businesses on these premises and shifting to a new location would affect their business adversely. A reasonable rent at the current prices would perhaps be the best bet for both the parties. "We are even ready to buy the property if Raja Saheb wishes to dispose it off," says one of them.Since the primary concern of Raja Saheb was to clear his name, there are chances that he will pursue a humanitarian approach in this matter. His writ was not for eviction of property per se; this has happened by default. As is well-known the property was declared 'enemy property' during the 1965 war. His father, Khan Mohammed Amir Ahmed Khan, had migrated to Pakistan in 1957. The issue will unfold in the days to come when Raja Saheb gets possession of the relevant papers. Raja Mehmoodabad's properties include Halwasiya Market, Lawrie Building, Mehmoodabad mansion, Malka Zamania Imambara in Golaganj, Siddique Building in Astabal Charbagh, Lal Kothi in Maulviganj, Butler Palace, Butler Lake, the block opposite Halwasiya market, and the Royal Cafe block in Hazratganj.