UP may file SLP in SC over Mahmoodabad property issue

Lucknow, May 20 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh today hinted it may file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against attachment of Raja of Mahmoodabad properties, which are being utilised by different departments of the state govenment.

State Revenue Minister Ambika Choudhury said legal opinion is being sought over the issue, in which the SC had directed the state to hand over all such properties to the Raja.

''There are several such properties where schools, colleges and even a sugarmill is being run in Sitapur district,'' he said adding, it would be a big task for the government to transfer these.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Choudhury said the problem lies in Sitapur district, where the SSP office and residence has been identified as part of the Mahmoodabad estate.

He further informed all the properties of Raja in Lucknow had been transferred to Mahmoodabad and denied that the Raj Bhawan was part of it.

However, the minister admitted there was certain anomalies in listing of some properties.

UP had taken over the Mahmoodabad properties in 1950 after the then King of the region had left for Pakistan in the wake of partition in 1947. The acquisition was made by terming it as properties of ''enemy.'' The apex court has ordered that the properties be returned to the claimant as the government had not presented the facts before the court.

UNI MB VS YA ND1520