Latest news with #Nedou'sHotel
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- 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.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
As per SC order, J&K govt. takes over iconic Nedou's Hotel in Gulmarg
Under a tight security cover, the iconic and historic Nedou's Hotel was 'smoothly' taken over by the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) after evicting the Nedou's family and their staff, running the place for the past 137 years, as per a Supreme Court order. 'It was a smooth transition. They [the Nedou's family] cooperated well. The hotel structures and the huts have been sealed as per the court orders. The GDA has taken over everything, including the articles inside for now,' Tariq Hussain Naik, Chief Executive Officer, GDA, who oversaw the takeover, told The Hindu. The GDA also made an inventory of the articles inside the structures, which include heritage furniture and artefacts. Perched on a small hill in Gulmarg with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop, the iconic Nedou's Hotel was set up in 1888 by Michael Adam Nedou, a European who discovered Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Afterwards, it became a popular holiday destination for Europeans and royalty. After 1947, the hotel became a favourite haunt for politicians like Congress leader Indira Gandhi and Bollywood stars like Dilip Kumar. Several movies and songs were shot in and around the iconic wooden structure. At the time of eviction, officials said Omar K. Nedou, the great-grandson of Michael Nedou, and his wife Dilnawaz Nedou, who oversaw the Food and Beverage department, were present. Over 45 staff members also stood with the family members who worked for the hotel for several decades. The District Magistrate, Baramulla, provided adequate security personnel 'to ensure the peaceful execution of the eviction process and maintenance of public order'. The Nedous were in possession of nearly 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land. The family had earned multiple leases from the government from 1888 till 1985. However, the family, which is related to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, failed to renew the lease after its expiration in 1985. The Jammu and Kashmir government rejected the lease in February 2015. Later, the High Court too dismissed the hotel's plea for lease renewal and declared it as an unauthorised occupant under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988. The Supreme Court also issued eviction orders against the Nedous. 'Nobody is above law,' CEO Mr. Naik said. It is highly unlikely the family can apply for the property again because under the amended Land Grants Act rules 2022, the previous occupant cannot apply for the lease again.
