Sir Sobha Singh & Sons Private Limited, owner of the Ambassador Hotel, has moved the Delhi High Court to contest an eviction notice for the 7.58-acre Sujan Singh Park property. The company argues the Land and Development Office lacks jurisdiction while a broader ownership dispute remains under legal appeal. The government has assured the court that no immediate action will be taken before the next hearing.
Sir Sobha Singh & Sons Private Limited, which operates the iconic Ambassador Hotel in New Delhi, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging an eviction notice issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO). The dispute involves a 7.58-acre prime real estate parcel known as Sujan Singh Park, which houses both the hotel and several residential apartments. The company, which has held possession of the land since 1943, is contesting the use of the Public Premises Act to initiate summary eviction proceedings.
Legal Arguments on Jurisdiction
During the initial hearing, the company’s legal counsel argued that the Estate Officer currently overseeing the eviction process does not have the necessary jurisdiction to proceed. The petition highlights that the core issue of property ownership and the central government's alleged re-entry into the land—first claimed in 1960—is already subject to ongoing litigation. The owner contends that because the ownership matter is currently under appeal, the use of summary eviction laws is inappropriate and invalid. Furthermore, the company claims it has been restricted from properly submitting its documents to the Estate Officer, creating a risk that an adverse order could be passed without due process.
Government Position and Court Response
Representing the Central government, the counsel for the L&DO argued that the petition filed by the hotel owner is not maintainable. However, in response to the court's scrutiny, the government provided an assurance that no immediate eviction action would be taken on the property as of July 10, 2026. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar has directed the government and the L&DO to file their formal replies to the petition within three weeks, allowing the legal process to continue in an orderly fashion.
Historical Context of the Dispute
The current conflict follows a complex legal history spanning several decades. A lower court had previously ruled in favor of the property owners, declaring the government's re-entry efforts illegal for a period of 17 years. This decision was later reversed by an appellate court earlier this year. The company is now challenging that appellate ruling in a second appeal. A critical point of contention is the company's allegation that the current eviction notice is based on the appellate judgment, despite prior assurances from the Union government that the Public Premises Act proceedings would remain independent of that outcome. Investors and stakeholders should monitor the upcoming court filings and the subsequent hearings, as the outcome will determine the future status of this high-value real estate asset and the operating future of the Ambassador Hotel.