The long-standing legal battle concerning Delhi’s renowned Ambassador Hotel has resurfaced in the Delhi High Court. The hotel’s proprietors are contesting an eviction notice issued by the Central government under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 (PP Act).
Sir Sobha Singh & Sons Private Limited, the entity owning the hotel, approached the High Court challenging an appellate court’s decision dated June 9, 2026, which overturned a 2009 judgment that favored them. The Land and Development Officer (L&DO) issued the controversial eviction notice on June 11, just two days after the appellate court’s ruling.
Justice Tejas Karia presided over the initial hearing on June 17, admitting the appeal filed against the appellate court’s decision. Representing the hotel owners, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi argued that there is an imminent risk of eviction due to the government’s notice and petitioned for a stay on the order.
Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Ashish Dixit, representing the government, contended that the eviction notice issued under the PP Act operates independently of the appellate court’s decision, addressing solely the alleged unauthorized occupation. Dixit further stated that proceedings under the PP Act would proceed without reference to the challenged judgment.
Justice Karia acknowledged Dixit’s statement, ruling that interim orders were unnecessary at this juncture. The court scheduled the next hearing for July 23.
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The crux of the dispute is centered around the northern block of Sujan Singh Park, adjacent to Delhi’s Khan Market. Sir Sobha Singh & Sons Private Limited developed the Ambassador Hotel along with several residential flats on two plots, each 7.58 acres, which were allocated by the Government of India in 1943.
The company asserts that a 1945 lease agreement promised a perpetual lease upon project completion. They claim the government endorsed and engaged in the construction of the hotel block. However, issues arose in 1959 when the government alleged misuse due to the hotel’s construction, leading to an alleged re-entry onto the land in 1960.
The company promptly pursued legal action, securing an injunction that persisted until 2009. That year, a trial court ruled in favor of the company, confirming the legality of the construction and ordering the government to execute a perpetual lease.
The government, however, contested this ruling, and the appellate court nullified the trial court’s decision on June 9, 2026. Following the appellate court’s decision, the government issued the eviction notice under the PP Act, reigniting the dispute.
