Heirs to former PM Gulzarilal Nanda face trial in property dispute

Legal heirs to former prime minister Gulzarilal Nanda will have to face trial in a city court after the Delhi high court (HC) dismissed on Monday their petition seeking direction in a dispute over property in a posh South Delhi colony.

Nanda entered into an agreement with Tej Singh of Greater Kailash in 1979 to sell his C-23, Chirag Enclave, property. As per the agreement, Nanda and son NG Nanda were to fulfill all requirements within a certain period. But they delayed the sale deed, forcing Tej to file a civil suit.

During the suit’s pendency, Tej died, leaving son Gurbaksh to contest it. Nanda died on January 15, 1998. In the meantime, the case was transferred to another court and was listed for hearing on May 6, 2004. Unaware of the transfer, Gurbaksh could not appear before it.

Interestingly, Nanda’s counsel told the court about his death after six years, resulting in dismissal of the suit on October 26, 2004.

The case had gone on from 1998 to 2004 with the impression that Nanda was alive. Shocked by the revelation, Gurbaksh filed an application pleading for restoration of the suit. He said Nanda’s wife Laxmi should be brought on record to contest it. But the trial court dismissed the plea for delay.

Dissatisfied, Gurbaksh moved HC in 2008, saying the delay was because Nanda’s counsel had kept information from him. HC then directed Nanda’s son and wife to contest the suit. But they filed a review petition that was dismissed by a division bench on Monday.