Maharashtra Launches Drive to Evaluate and Monetize 430 Enemy Properties
Mumbai, 25th June 2025: The Maharashtra State Revenue Department has initiated a comprehensive drive to identify, evaluate, and register 430 enemy properties across the state, acting on directives from the Enemy Property Protection and Management Authority, a central government body tasked with managing assets abandoned by individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China during and after key historical conflicts.
A senior official from the department confirmed that district collectors have been instructed to carry out physical verification, precise measurements, and market valuations of these properties. The data will be compiled and submitted to both the state and central governments as part of an ambitious plan to monetize these assets for public revenue.
“Letters have already been issued to the collectors of districts where such properties exist,” the official said. “Some districts have responded with initial reports, while others are in the process of submitting the required information.”
Properties Worth Hundreds of Crores
Officials estimate that the total market value of these properties could run into hundreds of crores of rupees, particularly in strategic urban zones such as South Mumbai. The state government is planning to take physical possession of several prime assets, especially in Mumbai and its suburbs, where over 60% of the 430 identified enemy properties are located — including 177 in the suburbs and 60 within Mumbai city.
In several cases, the government is also considering the construction of permanent government buildings on enemy property land currently leased to various departments. This move is expected to reduce rental costs and optimize use of public land.
“This effort is not just about updating land records,” another senior revenue official stated. “It’s part of a broader financial strategy to boost revenue and reduce government dependence on leased properties.”
Central Policy: Utilization Over Preservation
The Enemy Property Protection and Management Authority has clarified that the government’s approach is not limited to safeguarding these properties but also includes their effective management and strategic use for economic benefit. Officials involved in the campaign say they expect notable progress over the next six months, as physical possession and valuation work gains momentum.
What is Enemy Property?
Enemy properties refer to assets left behind by individuals who migrated to Pakistan after the 1947 Partition or to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Under the Defence of India Acts of 1962 and 1971, the Indian government seized ownership of such properties, declaring them enemy assets. These include not just houses and commercial buildings, but also movable property such as gold, silver, shares, and other financial holdings. The Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) manages these assets on behalf of the government.
National Outlook: Maharashtra Among Top States
While Maharashtra has 208 enemy properties, the largest number is in Uttar Pradesh (6,255), followed by West Bengal (4,088), Delhi (659), and Goa (295). Properties have also been identified in Gujarat, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. So far, the central government has earned over ₹3,400 crore through the sale of movable enemy assets. The focus is now shifting to unlocking the value of immovable properties through sales, leases, or official government use.
