Shimla, Feb 21
The 14 month old Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government won another major legal battle after Superme court rejected the EIH ltd appeal against Himachal Pradesh High court order to vacate the five star hotel Wildflower hall and about 25 bigha resorts at Charabra in the outskirts of this capital town.
According to Government spokesperson the SC rejected the Special leave petition moved by EIH LTD against the verdict of single judge bench of Himachal Pradesh High court which directed the hospitality unit to vacate the property by March 20 this year and handover possession to State government.
Supreme Court Upheld eviction of Oberoi Group from Wildflower Hall in Shimla in a decision with significant public interest implications, upheld the eviction order issued by the Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding the iconic Wildflower Hall hotel in Shimla.
Also read: High court directs Oberoi group to handover Hotel wildflower hall to Himachal Govt
This final verdict, delivered by SC directed the Oberoi Group’s EIH Limited to vacate the premises by March 2024, bringing an end to a decades-long legal battle over the property’s ownership and operation.
Established in 1995, the Wildflower Hall property was jointly developed by EIH and the Himachal Pradesh government as a five-star hotel under the JV “Mashobra Resorts”.
However, the partnership experienced operational delays and disagreements, leading the state government to seek termination of the agreement and reclamation of the property.
An arbitral award issued in 2005 upheld the government’s claim, but EIH allegedly failed to comply. Consequently, the state government initiated legal proceedings, culminating in the January 2024 High Court order directing EIH’s eviction.
Also read: Wildflower hall law suit: Major set back to Oberoi group as HP HC dismisses decades old litigation
The Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of EIH’s appeal, considering relevant financial and environmental implications, solidifies the High Court’s decision.
With the eviction deadline set for March 2024, the future of the Wildflower Hall hotel remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The Himachal Pradesh government now faces the daunting task to run this property.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu likely to sign a new MOUs of HPTDC and a Dubai based luxury hospitality sector unit to run this venture following the winning of this legal battle.
The Supreme Court’s verdict marks a turning point in the protracted legal battle surrounding the Wildflower Hall property.
Congress government sailed another troubled water boat sucessfully by winning this legal matters as it was duch second victory after apex court also allowed goverment Shimla development plan in month of January also this year.
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