New Delhi: It seems this year has brought some bad news for some of the prominent landmarks of the city, the landmark where every Delhite had been too and enjoyed his/her time. The first landmark to disappear from city’s skyline was Chanakya Cinema and now the Supreme Court has served eviction notice on Appu Ghar.

The Supreme Court passed a judgment to this effect on Friday. According to the judgment passed by the Supreme Court, Appu Ghar will breathe its last breathe on 31 Jan 2008 – the amusement park which has provided enjoyment and smiles on the faces of children as well as adults for over two decades. The Supreme Court has ordered the Estate Office (EO) to take possession of the land and give it to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the apex court for construction of lawyers’ chambers.  

The land where Appu Ghar currently exists has already been allotted by the government to Supreme Court for construction of lawyers’ chambers and an auditorium, and to DMRC for expanding the Pragati Maidan station.

However, the actual possession could not be given to SCBA and DMRC because of the pending litigation over the lease for operation given to the private owners of Appu Ghar.  

The Supreme Court bench comprising justices Arijit Pasayat and Aftab Alam, in its order has asked the EO to complete its proceedings to take back the land by January 31, 2008, posted the matter for further hearing on February 19 next year.

Appu Ghar which came to existence in 1982, since 1999 has been surviving on litigation, when its lease agreement with India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) expired.  

In the previous hearing the Supreme Court had refused to shut out the owner of Appu Ghar, from exercising their legal right to continue with the arbitration proceedings on issues pertaining to allotment of land. ITPO had made it clear that it had no objection in giving back the land, now under the occupation of Appu Ghar which owes over Rs. 15 crore to the lessor, to SC for constructing lawyers’ chambers, library and parking facilities.  

DMRC had moved the HC seeking a piece of land under occupation of Appu Ghar for construction and expansion of a Metro station at Pragati Maidan.