2 days ago
Gujarat HC Withdraws Yusuf Pathan Appeal Over Vadodara Land
Yusuf Pathan wanted to obtain a piece of city-owned land in Vadodara.
The plot is next to his family’s home and measures 978 square metres.
He said a government policy might allow international cricketers to receive such land.
The city approved a long lease, but the Gujarat government rejected it because the land would not be auctioned publicly.
The city later said Pathan fenced and occupied the plot without completing the required legal steps.
Pathan challenged the decision in court.
His lawyer said the city did not respond to requests to consider the claim under the policy.
Pathan then withdrew his appeal, so the court closed the case as withdrawn, leaving any further claim to be pursued outside court.
Yusuf Pathan withdrew his Gujarat High Court appeal concerning a disputed 978-square-metre Vadodara Municipal Corporation plot.
His lawyer said the VMC had not responded to efforts to pursue the claim under a policy for international cricketers.
The proposed 99-year lease without public auction was approved by the VMC but rejected by Gujarat’s Urban Development Department in June 2014.
The VMC alleged Pathan fenced and occupied the land, while the High Court said possession without payment or legal authority created no legal right.
The VMC estimated the plot’s value at nearly Rs 20.5 crore, but its General Board returned the valuation proposal for reconsideration.
- Who
- Former India cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, and Gujarat government authorities.
- What
- Pathan withdrew his High Court appeal against rejection of a proposed allotment and over allegations that he occupied the 978-square-metre municipal plot.
- Where
- Final Plot No. 90 in Tandalja Town Planning Scheme No. 22, Vadodara, Gujarat.
- When
- The appeal was withdrawn on a Monday in 2026; the allotment request began in March 2012, the state rejection came in June 2014, and the single-judge ruling was issued in August 2025.
- Why
- Pathan’s lawyer said the VMC had not responded to efforts to pursue the claim under a state policy for international cricketers.
Pathan’s Position
Civic and Government Concerns
Eligibility for allotment
Pathan’s Position
Pathan’s lawyer said a government circular or the 1999 state policy allows plots to be allotted to international sportspersons and sought to pursue the claim under that policy.
Civic and Government Concerns
The proposed direct allotment bypassed a public auction and required state approval, which Gujarat’s Urban Development Department rejected in June 2014.
Occupation of the plot
Pathan’s Position
Pathan sought the land while citing security concerns connected with the public profile of himself and his brother, former cricketer Irfan Pathan.
Civic and Government Concerns
The VMC alleged that Pathan fenced and occupied the plot after the allotment was rejected. The High Court questioned how he took possession without completing formalities and said unauthorized possession did not create a legal right.
Valuation and future action
Pathan’s Position
Pathan withdrew the appeal after his lawyer said the VMC had not responded to the request to pursue the policy-based claim outside court.
Civic and Government Concerns
Vishwamitri Bachao Samiti argued that the alleged encroachment should be removed and possession recovered before the land is auctioned. The VMC General Board returned the valuation proposal for reconsideration.
Key facts
- Plot size
- 978 square metres
- Location
- Final Plot No. 90, Tandalja Town Planning Scheme No. 22, Vadodara
- Original proposal
- A 99-year lease without public auction
- Government rejection
- Gujarat’s Urban Development Department rejected the proposal in June 2014
- Estimated current value
- Nearly Rs 20.5 crore, based on a VMC rate of Rs 2.10 lakh per square metre
- Earlier valuation
- About Rs 5.6 crore, based on Rs 57,270 per square metre
- Possible occupation charges
- A citizen group estimated around Rs 7.5 crore for 14 years, excluding penalties and interest; this was not an assessed municipal demand
Quotes
Shalin Mehta
Lawyer representing Yusuf Pathan before the Gujarat High Court
“Because we are saying that there is a circular which allows international cricketers to be given a plot. I think I will withdraw because I haven't heard anything from them (VMC). I have taken instructions from my client...if it is to happen, it will happen outside the court; otherwise it won't happen.”
rediff.com
indianexpress.com
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
Sources
HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim
MP Yusuf Pathan withdraws Gujarat High Court appeal over Rs 20.5-crore civic body plot
Gujarat HC dismisses Yusuf Pathan plea against ‘encroacher’ tag over Vadodara civic land
HC dismisses ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan's plea over Vadodara land claim
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