The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) standing committee on Friday gave its approval to a proposal for auctioning seven civic plots across the city. Among these is a 978-square-meter plot in Tandalja, which has been at the center of a prolonged legal dispute involving former Indian cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan. The proposal will now be presented before the VMC general board for final approval. Once the general body gives its nod, the civic body will initiate the auction process.
Background of the Tandalja Plot Dispute
The Tandalja plot gained significant attention after the Gujarat High Court, in September 2025, upheld the VMC's stance that no formal allotment of the land was ever made in favor of Yusuf Pathan. The court dismissed Pathan's challenge to a civic notice, ruling that his occupation of the plot constituted encroachment. This allowed the VMC to proceed with legal actions to reclaim the land.
Chronology of Events
According to case documents, Pathan applied to the VMC in 2012 for allotment of the plot to establish a stable. The civic body initially resolved to sell the land to him at a rate of Rs 57,270 per square meter without conducting an auction. However, this proposal was rejected by the state government in 2014. Since the allotment involved a direct sale without a public auction, it required state government approval, which was denied in June 2014. Despite this rejection, Pathan retained possession of the plot for several years.
High Court Ruling
In its judgment, the High Court noted that despite the VMC's resolutions, no final allotment order was ever issued in Pathan's favor. The court further held that once the state government rejected the proposal, Pathan could not claim any legal right over the land. The court explicitly stated that Pathan was found to be an “encroacher” and directed the VMC to take “strict action in accordance with the law.”
Revenue Generation Through Transparent Auction
Officials have stated that the seven plots proposed for auction are located in different parts of the city. The move is intended to generate revenue for the civic body through transparent disposal of municipal land. The auction process will ensure that the plots are sold at fair market value, benefiting the city's finances.
