462 Enemy Properties in Maharashtra to be Monetized: Details to be Publicized
The government plans to monetize 462 enemy properties in Maharashtra by amending the Enemy Property Act to overcome legal hurdles and increase public interest.
Enemy PropertiesMonetizationEnemy Property ActMumbaiMaharashtraReal Estate MumbaiOct 13, 2025
The Mumbai branch of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) and state government have, over the last couple of years, expedited the process of notifying the central government as CEPI. In the process, the revenue department has collated details related to the properties and the status of litigation and encroachment related to each one.
Most of the 462 properties—the fifth highest count across the country after Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal—are in Island Mumbai (78), Mumbai Suburban (181), Palghar (77), Thane (90) and a few in districts like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ratnagiri and Jalgaon. The number increased exponentially after the central government amended the Act in 2017, strengthening its control over the properties as custodian.
The Mumbai enemy properties include the Diana Talkies building at Tardeo, which is awaiting redevelopment; two properties at Bori Chawl House, Colaba; Building 575, Supari Baug, Parel; two properties at Moti Cinema, Girgaum; Plot 85, Kale Khan Chawl, Kandivali; Kishori Court, Worli; and two flats in Naples CHS, Colaba, among others.
The auctions we conduct don’t get a response for many reasons, including unawareness about the concept and fear of the involvement of criminals. Some people ask us if the properties are linked to fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Putting them in the public domain will help give clarity and spark more interest in the properties, said an official.
The district collectors, who are the deputy custodians of these properties, will be asked to list all the properties on their websites. Another officer from the revenue department said that the compilation was almost complete. The collectors have expedited the process of litigation, and removed or initiated the removal of the encroachments to make the properties free of any burden that would hinder their monetisation, he said.
After the 2017 amendment, the government intends amending the Act further. There will be amendments to simplify the rights of the occupants or tenants to facilitate faster disposal, he added. The 2017 amendment made it clear that the properties remain vested in the Custodian even if the original owners’ citizenship changes. It has banned legal heirs, even Indian citizens, from inheriting these properties and barred civil courts from hearing disputes on them. Now there will be more clarity about the occupants but the new amendment is expected to take at least a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are enemy properties?
Enemy properties are properties in India that belonged to individuals or entities from countries that were at war with India, such as Pakistan and China. These properties are managed by the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI).
Why is the government monetizing these properties?
The government aims to monetize these properties to generate revenue and ensure that these assets are utilized effectively. By putting the properties in the public domain, the government hopes to attract more interest and resolve legal issues hindering their auction.
How many enemy properties are in Maharashtra?
There are 462 enemy properties identified in 11 districts of Maharashtra, making it the fifth highest count in the country after Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
What changes were made to the Enemy Property Act in 2017?
The 2017 amendment to the Enemy Property Act clarified that the properties remain vested in the Custodian even if the original owners’ citizenship changes. It also banned legal heirs, even Indian citizens, from inheriting these properties and barred civil courts from hearing disputes on them.
What are the next steps for the government in this process?
The government plans to further amend the Enemy Property Act to simplify the rights of occupants or tenants and facilitate faster disposal of the properties. District collectors will list all the properties on their websites to increase public awareness and interest.
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