Nagpur University Entangled in 24 Legal Disputes Over Its Vast 233-Acre Land Holdings
Nagpur University, which owns more than 233 acres of land scattered across the city, is currently involved in 24 legal disputes related to its properties. This information was revealed in documents presented before the university's Senate during a recent meeting. The details were compiled by the general administration and engineering departments as part of a comprehensive status report on the university's immovable assets.
Extensive Land Portfolio Across Multiple Campuses
According to the report, which is based on records maintained by the estate office, Nagpur University's land holdings are distributed across various campuses and standalone properties throughout Nagpur. The largest property is the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Educational Campus, spanning 169.91 acres. This campus houses the university's main administrative offices in the Jamnalal Bajaj administrative building, numerous postgraduate departments, research centers, incubation facilities, a guest house, and the vice-chancellor's residence.
Other significant properties include:
- Rao Bahadur D Laxminarayan Campus covering 33.49 acres, home to the physical education department, university playgrounds, hostels, and the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar School of Law.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Administrative Campus (4.1 acres) located opposite Maharajbagh.
- Main Library Campus (3.6 acres) situated at Ramdaspeth.
- Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Campus (3.9 acres), which accommodates the girls' hostel and Gandhi Bhavan.
- Anwa Vihar and Dr Niyogi Bungalow Campus covering approximately 7 acres, hosting the academic staff college and research facilities.
Additionally, the university owns smaller properties such as the Janakibai Thakur Bungalow, Dr Kamalabai Korke Bungalow, property at Kanhan, and land at the Dighori Law College Campus.
Legal Battles Over Property Rights and Possession
A substantial portion of the university's properties is currently tied up in litigation. The legal status report submitted to the Senate indicates that 24 cases concerning university properties are pending in various courts, including the small causes court, civil courts, and district courts in Nagpur. These disputes involve issues such as tenancy rights, encroachments, property possession, and ownership claims.
The cases are at different stages of legal proceedings, including hearing, evidence, argument, reply/say, and awaiting notice or summons. Hearings for some of these cases are scheduled to continue through early 2026.
Notable Property Disputes
One of the major legal battles involves land at Kanhan, where the Beharilal Khandelwal Trust has filed a civil suit against the university over a school operating on the property. Another long-standing issue concerns the Janakibai Thakur bungalow in Dhantoli, which was donated to the university in 1944. The property remains occupied by tenants who have lived there since the donor's lifetime, prompting the university to initiate legal proceedings to regain possession.
Similarly, the Kamalabai Korke bungalow in Dharampeth was leased to the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation for use as a Nagpur camp office and residence from April 2025 to April 2028. However, legal action is underway to evict long-standing tenants from this property.
University officials have stated that the legal cell is actively pursuing these cases to reclaim possession of properties and resolve disputes. Concurrently, efforts are being made to compile updated and comprehensive records of all land holdings to better manage the university's extensive real estate portfolio.
