Supreme Court Orders L&T to Vacate INR 1,000 Crore Pali Hill Bungalow
The Supreme Court has directed Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to vacate a premium residential bungalow located in Pali Hill, Bandra, bringing an end to a long-running legal dispute over tenancy and possession. The property, spread across nearly an acre in one of Mumbai’s most expensive residential pockets, is estimated to be worth around INR 1,000 crore.
The bungalow had been in use by the company’s former chairman, A.M. Naik, for over two decades. The dispute relates to tenancy claims linked to the property, which had been under litigation for several years before reaching the apex court.
The Supreme Court refused to entertain L&T’s special leave petition and indicated that it was not inclined to interfere with the findings of the lower courts. With this, the court upheld the Bombay High Court’s earlier order that had directed eviction from the property.
The High Court, in its ruling, had supported the property owner’s claim and allowed recovery of possession, which was subsequently challenged by the company. The latest decision effectively closes all legal options for L&T in this matter and requires it to hand over vacant possession of the bungalow.
The property is located in Pali Hill, a well-known residential area in Bandra that houses several high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, and celebrities. Land parcels of this size are rare in the locality, which contributes to the high valuation of the asset.
The case is part of a larger set of legacy tenancy disputes seen in Mumbai, where properties have remained occupied for long periods under older agreements. Courts have increasingly taken a clear view in such matters, especially where ownership rights and redevelopment potential are involved.
L&T, a major engineering and infrastructure company headquartered in Mumbai, has undergone leadership changes in recent years, with A.M. Naik stepping away from executive responsibilities after a long tenure with the group. The occupancy of the bungalow was linked to his role during his time with the company.
