Lata Jain, who initially paid just Rs 50,000 in 1988, is expected to acquire a block of property valued at Rs 7 crore for just Rs 3.75 lakhs following a 30-year-long legal battle struggle, according to TOI.

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) subsequently asserted that the land was disputed and offered Jain a refund, despite the fact that she had reserved the area to construct a nursing facility. She resisted, and in 2009 the state consumer forum decided in her favor when she pursued the case there. The Allahabad High Court dismissed GDA's appeal as well.

In its order, the high court bench noted, "...Almost 21 year years have passed, and because of the apathy of the petitioner (Ghaziabad Development Authority), the private respondent (Lata) could not get the plot for the construction of a nursing home. The petitioner has sold the plot without seeking any permission  from the district or state consumer commission." 

30-year-long legal battle
Image Source: Bricksnwall

According to the TOI article, the high court chastised the GDA for failing to notify the state commission that the land had been sold to a third party and for taking too long to resolve the matter. GDA appealed the case to the Supreme Court in 2010. The court affirmed its earlier rulings on April 5 and directed GDA to grant Jain a 500 square meter plot at Nyay Khand 1, Indirapuram, at the 1988 cost of Rs 350 per square meter. In addition, the court mandated that Ghaziabad Development Authority reimburse her for Rs 1 lakh within a fortnight.

The 500 sqm site that Jain would receive is valued at around Rs 7 crore, given that the plot's current market value is Rs 1.3 lakh per sqm. She will only pay Rs 3.75 lakh for it, though.  Jain, who is currently in her late 70s and in terrible health, told TOI that her cousin Mohit never used the land for the nursing facility but persisted in pursuing the legal matter.

At its meeting on August 3, the GDA will make a decision regarding the land allocation. An official told TOI that Jain was offered additional plots in different plans by GDA, but she turned them down. They will now fulfill the Supreme Court's directive and offer the 500 square meter site in Indirapuram.

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