Latest news with #KashmirPublicPremises
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
J&K govt takes over historic Nedou's Hotel in Gulmarg
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken possession of the 137-year-old Nedou's Hotel, owned by a relative of chief minister Omar Abdullah, in Gulmarg after it was served an eviction notice for occupying 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land without a valid lease since 1985. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has taken possession of the 137-year-old Nedou's Hotel, owned by a relative of chief minister Omar Abdullah, in Gulmarg after it was served an eviction notice for occupying 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land without a valid lease since 1985. (File photo) The iconic hotel, Kashmir's oldest since it was established in 1888 by European entrepreneur Michael Adam Nedou as a retreat for colonial officers and visiting dignitaries, was sealed and taken over by the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) on Monday. The hotel's original lease for two kanals and 13 marlas had expired in 1985, while it was occupying land measuring 98 kanals and 11 marlas illegally. The proprietor, Omar K Nedou, is the maternal cousin of National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah, the father of chief minister Omar Abdullah. The action was carried out under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, in compliance with orders issued by both the Supreme Court and the high court. The Jammu and Kashmir government had rejected the hotel's request for a renewal of lease in 2015 owing to illegal occupation of over 90 kanals, followed by the dismissal of the special leave petition by the Supreme Court and the high court of Jammu and Kashmir's order on September 6, 2018. The assistant director of tourism, acting as the designated estate officer, oversaw the eviction and transfer of the premises to the GDA in the presence of the local magistrate and police. 'The premises had been vacated by the occupants at the time of execution and the possession was duly taken over as per the law,' the official informed the GDA. On August 2, the GDA's chief executive officer had instructed the tourism department to carry out the eviction within 24 hours. 'It has been found necessary to take possession of the said property in light of legal directions and examination of records,' the letter said. Michael Adam Nedou's son Harry Nedou had married a tribal Gujjar woman from Gulmarg and their daughter Akbar Jahan later married National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the grandfather of Omar Abdullah. The hotel was in the news in March when a fashion show was held on its premises during the holy month of Ramzan. The CM had distanced himself from the event as opposition parties and religious leaders slammed it for being 'obscene and inappropriate'. Omar Abdullah said it was a private event and his government had no role in organising it.
New Indian Express
05-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Gulmarg authorities take over 137-year-old Nedous Hotel owned by J&K CM Omar's relatives
SRINAGAR: The Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) on Monday took over possession of the famed 137-year-old Nedous Hotel for operating without a valid lease and flagrant violation of directions of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. The hotel, which was established in 1888 and owned by relatives of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had allegedly been operating without a valid lease since 1985. The GDA took action under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988, in compliance with orders issued by both the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of J&K. The Assistant Director of Tourism, acting as the designated Estate Officer, oversaw the eviction and transfer of premises to GDA. The operation of taking over possession of the property passed off peacefully in presence of a local magistrate and police personnel in strict compliance with orders of J&K High Court and Supreme Court of India. A few days back, the GDA served an eviction notice to the hotel management through the Estates Officer (Assistant Director Tourism), following which the take over was processed. 'In exercise of powers conferred under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988 and in compliance with the orders of the Hon'ble High Court J&K and the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, it is hereby ordered that the persons presently in unauthorised occupation of the public premises known as Hotel Nedous, Gulmarg, are hereby directed to vacate the public premises forthwith and handover the possession,' read the eviction notice issued by Estates Officer Gulmarg to the hotel management.
