Sahara Shaher Vacated After Supreme Court Upholds Lease Cancellation in Lucknow
In a significant development, Sahara Shaher located in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, is undergoing a complete evacuation process. This action follows a decisive ruling by the Supreme Court, which upheld the cancellation of its 30-year lease. Over the past five days, a steady stream of trucks and other vehicles has been observed removing items from the township, including from 'Swapna Kuti', the residence of Swapna Roy, wife of the late Sahara group chief Subrata Roy.
Municipal Corporation Takes Possession and Issues Directives
Additional municipal commissioner Pankaj Srivastava confirmed that the Lucknow Municipal Corporation has formally instructed Sahara management to vacate the entire campus. He emphasized that once the evacuation process is finalized, management staff will be prohibited from entering the site. The civic body initially took possession of the land on October 6, after the lease was cancelled due to identified violations of conditions. At that time, entry gates were sealed, and security personnel were deployed to secure the area.
Legal Battles and Supreme Court Verdict
The Supreme Court, on March 16, dismissed Sahara's plea challenging the lease cancellation. This decision came after the company failed to obtain relief from the high court. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar stated that the ruling unequivocally confirms that ownership of the land rests with the municipal corporation. The 170-acre plot was originally allotted in 1994 to Sahara India Housing Limited for developing a residential colony, with 130 acres designated for housing and 40 acres as a green belt. A dispute over ownership further escalated when Sahara listed the property among 88 assets attached by Sebi.
Future Plans for the Site
With the land now under municipal control, the state government has announced plans to construct a new Vidhan Bhavan on the site. The Lucknow Development Authority has been appointed as the nodal agency and has already initiated the process of appointing a consultant. This consultant will be responsible for preparing the project report and design, marking a new chapter for the prime location in Gomtinagar.
