Don’t take action in haste against Taj Mansingh: HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed New Delhi Municipal Council not to any take “precipitative action” against the iconic Taj Mansingh Hotel while

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed New Delhi Municipal Council not to any take “precipitative action” against the iconic Taj Mansingh Hotel while allowing Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), which runs the luxury property, to “strengthen” its appeal against a single judge order.

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The HC also chided IHCL for their “urgency” in appealing against the single judge order, saying India was “not a banana republic” and the NDMC would not have seized a functioning hotel.

On Monday, the single judge had dismissed the suit by the current operator, Tata group’s IHCL, to renew its licence and upheld NDMC’s decision to go for auction.

Subsequently, IHCL filed an appeal before the division bench against the order of the single judge.

During a brief hearing on the appeal, a bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani observed “what was the great urgency” to file an appeal having “half baked grounds.”

“Don’t show anxiety. They (authorities concerned) are not going to come as of now. Heavens are not going to fall if you would have waited for some more time. Take your time and first try to digest the judgment of the single judge. It is a running hotel. Can they (NDMC) come and seize it? Has the country become a banana republic,” the bench observed.

“We expect your (IHCL) people to strengthen it. By Friday you give your crystallised grounds. They will have to go to you and give you notice before any action is taken. They are not going to do it overnight. The estate officer and the NDMC people are here, nothing will happen. They are reasonable people,” the court said.

“You (NDMC) are not going to take any precipitative action,” the bench told the counsel for NDMC. The court fixed the matter for further hearing on September 15.