CTCC president loses battle in apex court

Patwalia had been involved in a legal battle for more than two decades with Bahl to get the premises vacated. Patwalia had purchased the SCO in 1977 and Bahl signed a lease deed with him for renting the SCO in 1988. After Bahl combined the two SCOs and constructed Hotel President,the UT Estate Office started resumption proceedings against Patwalia.

In 1996,Patwalia filed a case against Bahl for impairing the value and utility of the building. In 2007,the rent comptroller pronounced the orders in favour of Patwalia. Bahl subsequently lost the legal battle in the district court,High Court and the Supreme Court. Bahl has little option but to vacate the premises.

Bahl says,“I have been given time till March 2011 to vacate the SCO. However,I would be doing so in the next couple of days. The hotel has been built in such a manner that it is divided into two parts. We would be undertaking the renovation of the premises. The ruling of the court is supreme and I would abide by it.”

Bahl has been the president of the city unit of Congress for three consecutive terms. He is among the frontrunners for the post once again. The city unit had given a resolution authorizing Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to announce the name of the president. The announcement is expected in the coming days.