The Centre told the Delhi High Court on Friday that the land where the Teen Murti Estate, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF), is situated has belonged to the government since the establishment of the Capital.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the Deputy Director of Estates at the Directorate of Estates said the JNMF has failed to produce any authority which allows or permits it to use the premises.
“Without prejudice, the contention raised by the petitioner [JNMF] cannot be termed as a bona fide title dispute, as the Central government is the sole owner of the demised premises and the Teen Murti Estate, in its entirety,” it said.
“Your [JNMF] occupation of demised premises is without any authority of law and no statutory or contractual relationship exist between either the Central government and you...,” the affidavit said.
The response came on a petition filed by the JNMF, seeking to set aside the Estate Officer’s October 15 eviction notice. The JNMF has denied the claim that it was in illegal possession of the property.
Established in 1964, the JNMF has been located at Teen Murti — once the residence of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru — since 1967. It gives Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships each year to select scholars.
Its offices are not part of the main building but occupy a set of barracks on its eastern side, with a separate entry from Teen Murti Marg.
The JNMF has said the Estate Officer’s notice was mala fide and was issued for ulterior political motives.
The petition has said the proceedings initiated by the estate officer are part of a larger design to efface and destroy the legacy and contributions of Nehru and create a new historical narrative.
Earlier this month, the High Court had stayed the eviction notice given to JNMF. The court on Friday posted the case for further hearing on December 4 after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for JNMF, sought some time to file rejoinder.
