Mumbai's Pali Hill society ordered to vacate land leased by Bollywood icons in 1959, after decades-long dispute

Time of India

26-05-2025

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A decades-old legal battle over a prime 2.5-acre plot in Pali Hill — first leased out in 1959 by legendary Bollywood couple Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi — has culminated in a local court ordering 162 families of the Cozihom Cooperative Housing Society to vacate their homes within six months.The small causes court in Bandra ruled in favour of Tajdar Amrohi, son of Kamal Amrohi, and Arham Land Developers on April 23, 2025, in a lawsuit originally filed by Amrohi in 1991 — 33 years ago — over unpaid rent arrears and alleged lease violations.'We won the case. The society has been asked to vacate within six months,' Tajdar Amrohi told Times of India, confirming the order that could displace scores of long-time residents, many of whom are senior citizens.The dispute dates back to the early 1970s, when Kamal Amrohi accused the housing society of failing to pay full monthly rent of Rs 8,835. The society, in turn, argued that a portion of the land didn't belong to the Amrohi estate, and began paying a reduced amount of Rs 7,000. Amrohi filed for eviction and possession in 1991, two years before his death.While the society claims it has since cleared all dues with interest and has been depositing rent into an escrow account for two decades, the court noted that the defendant 'did not pay the rent as per the agreed rate of Rs 8,835 for 1 April 1971 to February 1972,' and failed to comply with a notice served on 30 November 1990.Referring to a key clause in the original lease agreement, the court observed that 'if at any time… the lessees dispute or challenge the lessor's right to recover the agreed rent… the lessors shall be entitled by notice in writing to forthwith terminate this lease.' The clause also allowed the lessor to 're-enter and take possession of the demised land together with the building and structures standing thereon.''It is unambiguous that upon the determination of the lease, the lessor is entitled to possession of the land together with the building and structure,' the court said in its ruling, adding that 'the defendant failed to pay the contractual rent regularly.'Rejecting the society's plea for a stay, the court said, 'There are no immediate dire consequences from the judgment and decree. The reasonable and sufficient period of six months has already been granted… Hence, the request is rejected.'Cozihom residents have vowed to challenge the order in the Bombay High Court. 'The entire case only pertained to the land, not the buildings built on it. We will be pointing this out in our appeal,' a resident spokesperson said, adding that the society had paid all outstanding dues.Meanwhile, Arham Land Developers — which acquired the land from Tajdar Amrohi in 2010 for Rs 5 crore — argued it now holds rights to the 9,849 sq m plot and three buildings. According to real estate consultant Ashok Narang, the current value of the Pali Hill property exceeds Rs 1,000 crore.The eviction order has triggered anxiety among residents who have occupied the buildings for over five decades. As the legal battle shifts to the High Court, the fate of the families and the historic land once owned by one of Bollywood's most iconic couples remains uncertain.