High Court closes 1947 property suit involving over 2,900 acres of land in North Mumbai

“This order disposes of probably the oldest suit that is currently pending before the Bombay High Court,” Justice Dubash, one of the newest judges of the court, said.

The complaint was filed on October 7, 1947, and sought administration of the estate of a man named Haji Alimohammed Haji Cassum. The case concerned the administration and distribution of Cassum’s property, spread over 2,981 acres of land, including the entire village of Dahisar, which is now a bustling suburb.

From time to time, several orders were issued after a preliminary decree was passed in 1952. The parties reached a settlement with consent terms accepted by both.

On June 30, 1950, the Bombay High Court appointed a court receiver for the estate, and the respective shares of the legal heirs were ascertained through the preliminary decree in 1952. Over the following decades, as several of the original parties in the suit passed away, their legal heirs were brought on record, with the fourth generation currently on record.

After prolonged proceedings, the consent terms were agreed upon by five signatories, and the suit was disposed of. The parties also agreed that a sum of Rs 7 lakh was to be paid to the court receiver towards costs and charges in the matter, which were directed to be deducted from fixed deposits.

The high court recorded the agreement between Senior Advocate Kevic Setalvad, representing the plaintiffs, and counsel Anupam Surve, with others, for the defendants.