RAJKUMAR CHANDRASEN CHAVAN vs MANAGING DIRECTOR CIDCO LIMITED
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Case type
- Writ Petition
- Decided on
- 27-03-2026
<div> <b>2026:BHC-AS:15409-DB</b><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY<br /> CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION<br /> <br /> WRIT PETITION NO.14359 OF 2024<br /> Shri Rajkumar Chandrasen Chavan<br /> Age: 61 years Occupation : Business/Agriculturist,<br /> Harihareshwar,<br /> Post Harihareshwar, Taluka Shriwardhan,<br /> District Raigad, Maharashtra - 402 110 … Petitioner<br /> Versus<br /> 1. Managing Director<br /> For CIDCO Limited,<br /> CIDCO Bhavan, CBD Belapur,<br /> Navi Mumbai - 400 614<br /> 2. Assistant Estate Officer,<br /> Kharghar, CIDCO Nodal Office,<br /> Sector-4, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410 210<br /> 3. Senior Development Officer,<br /> st<br /> 1 Floor, CIDCO, Kharghar,<br /> Navi Mumbai - 410 210<br /> 4. Law Officer<br /> Legal Department<br /> CIDCO Bhavan, CBD Belapur,<br /> Navi Mumbai - 400 614<br /> 5. Advocate Pravin Pisal,<br /> Court Commissioner,<br /> Shop no.125, Mahanagar Palika Co.<br /> Near Vasudev Balwant Phadke Natygruh,<br /> Panvel, Raigad - 410 206<br /> 1 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> 6. Minister for Urban Development<br /> th<br /> Having office at 4 Floor, Mantralaya,<br /> Mumbai 400 020<br /> 7. Additional Chief Secretary<br /> of Urban Development<br /> th<br /> Having office at 4 Floor, Mantralaya,<br /> Mumbai 400 020. .… Respondents<br /> <b></b><br /> Adv. Rohan Surve a/w. Adv. Shrushti Vishwakarma, Adv. Shivank <br /> Singh i/b. Adv. Yogesh B. Dandekar, for the petitioner.<br /> Mr. G. S. Hegde, Senior Advocate a/w Adv. P. M. Bhansali, Adv. <br /> Ganesh Bajpei, for the respondent-CIDCO.<br /> Mr. N. C. Walimbe, Addl.G.P. a/w Mr. S. P. Kamble, AGP, for the <br /> respondent-State.<br /> <b></b><br /> CORAM : M. S. KARNIK &<br /> S. M. MODAK, JJ.<br /> th<br /> DATE : 27 MARCH, 2026<br /> JUDGMENT (PER M. S. KARNIK, J.) :<br /> 1. This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of <br /> India challenges the demand notice dated 25/06/2024 and <br /> 27/06/2024 issued by the respondent No.2-City and Industrial <br /> Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited ("CIDCO", for <br /> short). <br /> 2 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> 2. The facts of the case in brief are that CIDCO vide letter of <br /> allotment dated 26/06/2005 allotted plot of land bearing Plot <br /> No.104, admeasuring 450.090 sq. mtrs. situated at Sector 19, <br /> Kharghar, Navi Mumbai to one Mr. M.S.K. Mapara, the Proprietor <br /> of Pioneer Developers ("Mr. Mapara", for short). Mr. Mapara made <br /> substantial payment of consideration/premium to CIDCO against <br /> the letter of allotment and accordingly, CIDCO proposed to <br /> execute the agreement to lease of the said plot in his favour soon <br /> subject to payment of the balance premium and other charges and <br /> compliance of other formalities. <br /> 3. Mr. Mapara then offered to sale, assign and transfer all <br /> his leasehold rights, title and interest etc. in respect of the suit <br /> plot, free from all encumbrances in favour of Mr. Rajkumar <br /> Chandrasen Chavan viz. the petitioner herein, for the total and <br /> lump sum consideration of Rs.55,00,000/-. The petitioner thus <br /> purchased and acquired all leasehold rights, title and interest in <br /> respect of the said plot from Mr. Mapara under the "Agreement for <br /> transfer of Assignment of Rights" dated 08/12/2010, whereby Mr. <br /> 3 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> Mapara agreed to execute the tripartite agreement in favour of the <br /> petitioner. <br /> 4. The petitioner made substantial payment of <br /> Rs.29,00,000/- to Mr. Mapara and was also ready and willing to <br /> pay balance amount of Rs.26,00,000/- against the total <br /> consideration of Rs.55,00,000/- to Mr. Mapara. <br /> 5. CIDCO entered into and executed a registered agreement <br /> of lease dated 20/10/2010 thereby granting the leasehold rights, <br /> title and interest with respect to the said plot in favour of Mr. <br /> Mapara on the terms and conditions and for the premium, etc. as <br /> stated in the agreement of lease. CIDCO also delivered the actual <br /> and physical possession of the suit plot in favour of Mr. Mapara. <br /> 6. Mr. Mapara refused to perform his part of the contract, <br /> therefore the petitioner filed Special Civil Suit No.377 of 2011 <br /> before the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Panvel for declaration, <br /> specific performance and injunction against Mr. Mapara and <br /> CIDCO in respect of the said plot along with an application for <br /> 4 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> temporary injunction against the defendants below Exhibit-5 <br /> praying for the following reliefs :-<br /> "a. That pending the hearing and final disposal of the <br /> suit, the Defendants, their agents, servants, employees, <br /> representative, officers and/or any other person/s claiming <br /> through or under them be restrain by an order of <br /> temporary injunction on from dealing with and disposing <br /> of the suit Plot to any other person or party or in manner <br /> creating third party interests with respect to the Suit Plot.<br /> b. That pending the hearing and final disposal of the <br /> suit, the Defendant their agents, servants, officers, <br /> employees, representatives, officers and/or any other <br /> person/s claiming through or under them be restrained by <br /> an Order of temporary injunction from transferring and/or <br /> executing Conveyance and/or the Tripartite Agreement of <br /> the Suit Property in favour of third party and restraining <br /> from approving building plan and specifications over the <br /> suit property and/or restraining from carrying out any <br /> construction activities whatsoever any nature over and/or <br /> any part thereof on the suit plot.”<br /> 7. The Trial Court partly allowed the application below <br /> Exhibit-5 for temporary injunction pending the decision of the suit. <br /> The defendants (Mr. Mapara and CIDCO) were restrained from <br /> disposing or transferring the suit property to any other person, till <br /> the disposal of the suit.<br /> 8. The learned Trial Court, by the judgment and decree <br /> dated 17/11/2018 allowed the suit for specific performance. The <br /> 5 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> petitioner was directed to deposit balance amount of <br /> Rs.26,00,000/- in the Court within a period of 30 days. The <br /> petitioner and Mr. Mapara were directed to specifically perform <br /> the contract dated 08/12/2010 in respect of the suit plot. Mr. <br /> Mapara was permanently restrained from dealing with or <br /> disposing of the suit plot or from creating any third party rights, <br /> title or interest therein.<br /> 9. The petitioner complied with the order of deposit. The <br /> petitioner thereafter filed special execution proceeding being <br /> Special Darkhast No.107 of 2019 against the judgment debtor <br /> before the Executing Court. We must hasten to add that an <br /> averment is made in the petition that by an order dated <br /> 30/09/2023 passed by the Executing Court, a Court Commissioner <br /> was appointed to perform the following duties :-<br /> “(i) To execute Tripartite Agreement of suit property<br /> <br /> (ii) To secure necessary permission, sanctions from <br /> CIDCO<br /> (iii) To perform every duty apart from above duties <br /> which are required for effective implementation of decree.”<br /> 6 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> The averment made by the petitioner is not controverted <br /> by the respondents in the affidavit-in-reply filed. <br /> <br /> 10. In view of the aforesaid order, the Court Commissioner <br /> vide letter dated 31/01/2024 addressed to Mr. Mapara requested <br /> to comply with all the terms and conditions of CIDCO for <br /> execution of tripartite agreement in favour of the decree holder <br /> viz. the petitioner in respect of the said plot. <br /> 11. The petitioner by a letter dated 22/03/2024 addressed to <br /> CIDCO brought it to their notice that as per the Board Note : Item <br /> No.14 in the Board meeting dated 12/02/2024 about the guiding <br /> principles to be followed for implementation of the <br /> recommendations of committee appointed with regard to the <br /> issues faced by Project Affected Persons (PAP's) and developers of <br /> Navi Mumbai and consolidated policy for grant of time extension <br /> in construction period. It was pointed out that the delay in <br /> completing the construction was due to court case.<br /> 12. The petitioner by his letter dated 22/03/2024 informed <br /> CIDCO that the said provision is applicable to the petitioner's case. <br /> 7 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> It was pointed out that there was a restraint order passed by the <br /> Trial Court against the defendants which included CIDCO. <br /> It was therefore pointed out that the Additional Lease Premium <br /> ("ALP", for short) has to be levied at 0%.<br /> 13. The petitioner again vide letter dated 22/05/2024 placed <br /> all the facts on record in respect of the subject matter. CIDCO by a <br /> letter dated 25/06/2024 addressed to the Court Commissioner <br /> demanded ALP of grand total of Rs.80,72,507/- after considering <br /> 50% waiver on applicable ALP under Amnesty Scheme towards <br /> grant of extension of construction period from 20/10/2014 to <br /> 31/12/2024.<br /> 14. The petitioner through an advocate's notice dated <br /> 01/07/2024 requested CIDCO for execution of the Tripartite <br /> Agreement as per the order passed by the Trial Court. <br /> SUBMISSIONS OF LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE PETITIONER :<br /> 15. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the <br /> demand notice of CIDCO is completely contrary to the circular of <br /> 8 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> CIDCO inasmuch as it is due to the pending Court proceedings and <br /> due to circumstances beyond the control of the petitioner that the <br /> construction could not commence. It is submitted that there is no <br /> fault on the part of the petitioner. It is submitted that this is a fit <br /> case where the ALP ought to have been levied at 0% for the entire <br /> period as it was not possible for the petitioner to commence <br /> construction.<br /> SUBMISSIONS OF MR. HEGDE, LEARNED SENIOR ADVOCATE <br /> FOR CIDCO :-<br /> 16. Mr. Hegde, learned Senior Advocate for CIDCO on the <br /> other hand invited our attention to the detailed affidavit-in-reply <br /> affirmed by Mr. Pritamsigh B. Rajput, working as Divisional Estate <br /> Officer, CIDCO. <br /> <br /> 17. Learned Senior Advocate submitted that CIDCO is the <br /> owner of the said land and had allotted the said land to Mr. <br /> Mapara on lease basis. CIDCO had merely executed an agreement <br /> of lease with Mr. Mapara for giving him permission to enter upon <br /> the concerned land and complete the construction. The letter of <br /> 9 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> allotment provides for period of four years for completing the <br /> construction and in breach thereof, CIDCO is entitled to either <br /> cancel the lease/allotment letter or accept the additional lease <br /> premium (ALP) for extending the period of construction.<br /> 18. That the entire transaction is governed by the Navi <br /> Mumbai Disposal of Lands (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 <br /> ("Regulations", for short). Regulation 10 provides that the <br /> intending lessee, i.e. Mr. Mapara in the present case, shall not <br /> transfer, wholly or partly, the benefits and interest, he derives in <br /> respect of the plot agreed to be leased to him unless intending <br /> lessee on whom such rights are transferred performs and observes <br /> all the conditions stipulated in the agreement to lease. <br /> 19. That in the present case the agreement to lease dated <br /> 20/10/2010 executed between CIDCO and Mr. Mapara, it was <br /> provided that the building should be constructed within four years. <br /> It was also provided in clause 5 and 6 that on failure to complete <br /> the construction within the stipulated period, either the agreement <br /> could be terminated or the time could be extended for construction <br /> 10 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> on payment of ALP. <br /> 20. Since Mr. Mapara had not completed the construction <br /> within the stipulated period, the said agreement was either liable <br /> to be rejected or the time for completing the construction extended <br /> on payment of ALP and this additional lease premium had to be <br /> observed by the present petitioner who is the transferee, as per <br /> Regulation 10. <br /> <br /> 21. Though CIDCO was party in the suit filed by the <br /> petitioner against Mr. Mapara, the relief which was granted in the <br /> said suit was directing the said Mr. Mapara to accept the balance <br /> payment and execute necessary document for transferring his right <br /> in favour of the petitioner. The said judgment does not bind <br /> CIDCO to execute a transfer of the leased land without observing <br /> their own regulations which has the force of law. <br /> 22. The relief granted in the said suit amounts to merely <br /> putting the petitioner in a position in which he would have been, <br /> had the original allottee Mr. Mapara executed all the documents to <br /> complete the transfer. The petitioner is not entitled to seek further <br /> 11 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> relaxation of the regulation as he is merely a person seeking <br /> transfer of the interest in the allotment letter issued to Mr. <br /> Mapara. <br /> 23. The said relief is akin to a person who seeks execution of <br /> a tripartite agreement for transfer of rights of the original allottee <br /> in his/her favour. In such cases CIDCO is entitled to insist upon <br /> demanding the additional lease premium in compliance of the <br /> Regulation 10 of the Regulations. <br /> 24. The petitioner has relied upon the board resolution which <br /> provides for waiver of ALP in case there was an order of injunction <br /> for restraining the original allottee from carrying out constructions <br /> on the said plot. The petitioner had sought an interim relief for <br /> restraining construction on the said plot, yet the same was not <br /> granted and only an interim order for restraining creation of <br /> third-party rights was granted by the Court. In such event the <br /> original allottee was at liberty to proceed with the construction <br /> and having failed to do so, CIDCO is entitled either to terminate <br /> the agreement or accept ALP for extension of time. <br /> 12 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> 25. The entire process adopted by the petitioner is to <br /> circumvent the provisions of the Regulations and seek transfer of <br /> the plot in his favour without payment of additional lease <br /> premium. That in the event such transfer is permitted without <br /> <br /> payment of ALP, then the same shall be violative of Regulation 10.<br /> 26. That if such transfers are affected, it will not be possible <br /> for CIDCO to recover any amount from the transferee (original <br /> allottee) as there is no security available for CIDCO to recover such <br /> amount of ALP. The present case is like a situation where a flat <br /> purchaser files a suit against erstwhile member of the society and <br /> adds society as a party to the suit. The suit is decreed and the flat <br /> is directed to be sold/transferred to the purchaser. The question <br /> then would arise that whether the society can be directed to waive <br /> the arrears and other dues of erstwhile member and also waive the <br /> transfer charges, merely because the society was party to the suit. <br /> There cannot be such waiver. Further, if such transfers are <br /> permitted, then in such eventuality the society will not be able to <br /> 13 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> recover its dues from the erstwhile owner as there is no security <br /> available for recovering the same. <br /> 27. There is no privity of contract between the petitioner and <br /> CIDCO at present and in any case if the allottee seeks transfer of <br /> the lease in his favour, he is mandated to comply with the <br /> Regulation 10, which imposes upon him to observe all the <br /> conditions stipulated in the agreement to lease which also provides <br /> for extension of time to complete construction on payment of ALP.<br /> 28. Thus, the petitioner is liable to pay the ALP as demanded. <br /> CONSIDERATION :<br /> 29. We have heard Mr. Rohan Surve, learned counsel for the <br /> petitioner, Mr. G. S. Hegde, learned Senior Advocate for CIDCO <br /> and learned Additional Government Pleader for the State.<br /> 30. The controversy turns on the application of Regulation 10 <br /> to the facts of the present case. In the context of the application of <br /> Regulation 10 it would also be necessary to refer to some relevant <br /> provisions of the Regulations which read thus :-<br /> 14 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> “7. Completion of building, factory, structure or other work <br /> within the prescribed time: The Intending Lessee shall complete <br /> the building, factory, structure or other work, for which the <br /> plot is allotted, within the period of Four years from the date of <br /> Agreement to Lease and giving License/Permission to enter <br /> upon the plot, provided that the building or buildings to be so <br /> constructed shall not be less than 50% of the Floor Space Index <br /> granted to the plots agreed to be leased under Regulation 4 <br /> (iii) and shall not be less than 75% of the Floor Space Index <br /> granted to the other plots.<br /> 8. Permission for extension of time: If the Intending Lessee <br /> does not complete the construction within the time stipulated <br /> in Regulation 7 for the reasons beyond his control, the <br /> Managing Director may permit extension of time for <br /> completion of buildings, factory, structure or other work, on <br /> payment of additional premium as may be determined by the <br /> Corporation from time to time:<br /> Provided that the extension of time will be given for entire <br /> balance FSI for one year at a time:<br /> Provided further that if the construction is not commenced on <br /> th<br /> plot upto and within 4 year of extension, the Agreement to <br /> Lease shall be terminated and the plots shall be resumed with <br /> immediate effect. However, this proviso is not applicable to the <br /> plots allotted under Regulation 4 (i) and to the plots allotted to <br /> the Displaced Persons under 12.5% Scheme, provided such plot <br /> has not been transferred.<br /> 9. Termination of Agreement to Lease and revocation of <br /> licence: In case the intending Lessee (a) fails to obtain the <br /> development permission, commence and complete the <br /> construction of a building or buildings, factory, structure or <br /> other works within the period stipulated for the same in the <br /> Regulation 7 or within the period as may be extended by the <br /> Corporation, (b) fails to observe any of the conditions of the <br /> Agreement to Lease, (c) fails to proceed with the construction <br /> work with due diligence, the Corporation shall have the powers <br /> to terminate the Agreement to Lease and revoke the license <br /> granted therein to the intending Lessee for entering upon the <br /> plot, in which case all erections and materials, plants and <br /> things upon the said plot shall belong to the Corporation <br /> 15 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> without making any compensation or allowance on account of <br /> such erection materials, plants, things and without making any <br /> payment to the intending Lessee for refund or repayment of <br /> any premium paid by such Intending Lessee or otherwise to <br /> continue the allotment of the said plot with the Intending <br /> Lessee on payment of such fine or premium, over and above <br /> the additional premium, which shall be payable under these <br /> Regulations, as may be decided by the Corporation.<br /> 10. Restrictions against transfer of rights derived under the <br /> Agreement to Lease: The Intending Lessee shall not transfer <br /> wholly or partly the rights, benefits and interest he derives in <br /> respect of the plot agreed to be leased to him, provided that <br /> nothing contained herein shall apply If the Intending Lessee, <br /> after execution of Agreement to Lease, shall perform to the <br /> satisfaction of the Corporation the following conditions :<br /> i. The Intending Lessee pay to the Corporation the Transfer <br /> Charges at the rate as may be fixed from time to time, subject <br /> to a minimum of Rs.5000.<br /> ii. In the instruments by which the Intending Lessee transfers <br /> his rights, benefits and interest in respect of the plot agreed to <br /> be leased to him, he shall impose upon the person to whom <br /> such rights are transferred, to perform and observe all the <br /> conditions stipulated in the Agreement to Lease:<br /> Provided further that in case of plots agreed to be leased under <br /> Regulation 4 (iii), transfer of such rights shall not be permitted.<br /> Explanation: (i) The Intending Lessee may, with the prior <br /> written permission of the Managing Director, mortgage the plot <br /> to the Central Government, State Government, Life Insurance <br /> Corporation of India, the Maharashtra State Finance <br /> Corporation, the Nationalized Bank, Employer of the Intending <br /> Lessee or any other Financial Institutions as may be approved <br /> by the Corporation from time to time, for obtaining a loan for <br /> paying the lease premium to the Corporation in respect of the <br /> said plot and for constructing the building/buildings, factory on <br /> the said plot in accordance with the plan approved by the Town <br /> Planning Officer, provided that such mortgage can only be <br /> created after the execution of Agreement to Lease.<br /> (ii) Transfer of rights derived under the Agreement to Lease <br /> shall mean and include the transfer of share or shares by the <br /> 16 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> shareholders of a Company registered under the Companies <br /> Act, 1956 (I of 1956) or by the members of a Co-operative <br /> Housing Society registered under the Maharashtra Co-operative <br /> Societies Act, 1960 or by the partners of a Partnership Firm <br /> registered under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, in which <br /> case the Transfer Charges as is allocable to the extent of the <br /> share or shares so transferred or at the rate as may be <br /> determined by the Corporation from time to time, shall be <br /> recovered.”<br /> 31. At this stage itself it would be pertinent to refer to the <br /> decision of the Board Meeting with reference to the issues faced by <br /> the PAPs and developers of Navi Mumbai and consolidated policy <br /> for grant of time extension in construction period. The relevant <br /> portion reads thus :-<br /> “III. Delay due to enquiry/audit/court cases<br /> As per provisions of BR 11885 dated 07.07.2017, the ALP was <br /> levied at 0% for the entire period when the licensee was <br /> restrained from commencing/continuing construction due to <br /> enquiry/CAG audit para/court case/order of judicial authority. <br /> This clause was amended vide BR 12209 dated 19.07.2019, <br /> wherein the waiver was extended only to cases if the delay has <br /> occurred due to litigation wherein CIDCO is made a party. It is <br /> observed that in some cases, the property is attached by <br /> Competent Authority such as SEBI, MPID court etc. wherein <br /> CIDCO is not made a party and the litigation is involving <br /> financial irregularities by the licensee or involving third party. <br /> However due to such attachment by competent authority, the <br /> licensee is restrained from commencing/continuing construction <br /> on the plot and as such this period shall be excluded from <br /> calculation of ALP.<br /> Considering the facts stated above, the ALP shall be levied at 0% <br /> for the entire period when the licensee was restrained from <br /> commencing/continuing construction due to enquiry/CAG audit <br /> 17 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> para/court case/order of judicial authority ”<br /> 32. The facts in the present case are peculiar. CIDCO had <br /> allotted the said plot to Mr. Mapara by a letter of allotment dated <br /> 26/06/2005. Mr. Mapara had made a substantial payment of <br /> consideration/premium to CIDCO against the letter of allotment. <br /> CIDCO proposed to execute the agreement to lease of the said plot <br /> in his favour soon subject to payment of the balance premium and <br /> other charges. CIDCO had executed a registered agreement of <br /> lease dated 20/10/2010 granting leasehold rights, title and <br /> interest with respect to the subject plot in favour of Mr. Mapara. <br /> CIDCO delivered the actual and physical possession of the suit plot <br /> in favour of Mr. Mapara. Mr. Mapara then offered to sale, assign <br /> and transfer all his leasehold rights, title and interest etc. in <br /> respect of the said plot in favour of the plaintiff for a total <br /> consideration of Rs.55,00,000/-. Accordingly on 10/06/2010 a <br /> sum of Rs.11,00,000/- was paid to Mr. Mapara and a receipt was <br /> executed. This transaction was prior to the CIDCO executing the <br /> agreement of lease with Mr. Mapara. Mr. Mapara acting in <br /> 18 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> furtherance of the aforesaid contract, entered into and executed a <br /> formal agreement for transfer of assignment of rights dated <br /> 28/11/2010 in favour of the petitioner and thereby agreed to sale, <br /> transfer and assign all his leasehold rights, title and interest and <br /> upon the said plot in favour of the plaintiff. There were some <br /> disputes as a result of which the plaintiff had to file a suit for <br /> specific performance against Mr. Mapara and CIDCO. As indicated <br /> earlier the Trial Court allowed the application for interim <br /> injunction whereby the following order came to be passed :-<br /> “Application is allowed with costs.<br /> Defendants are restraining from disposing of or transferring suit <br /> property to any other person till disposal of the suit. <br /> 33. Thereafter, the suit for specific performance came to be <br /> decreed in favour of the petitioner and the petitioner was directed <br /> to deposit the remaining sum of Rs.26,00,000/- in the Trial Court. <br /> The petitioner filed proceedings for execution of the decree of <br /> specific performance. <br /> 34. The stand of CIDCO is that the time for completing the <br /> construction could be extended on payment of ALP and this ALP <br /> 19 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> had to be paid by the petitioner who is the transferee, as per <br /> Regulation 10. No doubt Regulation 10 provides that the <br /> transferee is bound to comply with all the conditions which the <br /> lessee of CIDCO has to abide by. <br /> 35. Let us consider a situation where there was no litigation <br /> pending between the petitioner and Mr. Mapara. In such a <br /> situation if the construction is not completed within a period of <br /> four years, CIDCO may have well been justified in demanding the <br /> ALP for extension of time to complete the construction. The stand <br /> of CIDCO is that Mr. Mapara should have proceeded with the <br /> construction as the only restraint by the Trial Court while granting <br /> the injunction was that Mr. Mapara should not transfer or create <br /> any third party rights in the property. It is therefore the argument <br /> of Mr. Hegde for CIDCO that either Mr. Mapara or the petitioner <br /> should have completed the construction within four years and <br /> merely because CIDCO was a party to the suit will not waive the <br /> condition of completion of the construction within a period of four <br /> years.<br /> 20 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> 36. Present is a case where even before the lease agreement <br /> was entered into between Mr. Mapara and CIDCO, Mr. Mapara <br /> had transferred his rights and interest in the said property in <br /> favour of the petitioner. CIDCO is not objecting to such a transfer. <br /> CIDCO is recognising the transfer subject to the petitioner paying <br /> the ALP for completing the construction. The petitioner says that it <br /> was impossible for him to commence the construction in view of <br /> the fact that Mr. Mapara was not ready to perform his part of the <br /> contract, and therefore the petitioner was left with no other <br /> alternative but to file a suit. There is nothing on record to indicate <br /> and it is not even the stand of CIDCO that the suit between the <br /> petitioner and Mr. Mapara was collusive. <br /> 37. Pursuant to the agreement of lease and the order of <br /> allotment by CIDCO, the possession of the suit plot was with Mr. <br /> Mapara. The petitioner was seeking specific performance of the <br /> contract and therefore till such time the suit is decreed, there was <br /> no question of the petitioner applying for a building permission or <br /> completing the construction within a period of four years. The <br /> 21 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> petitioner's claim was disputed by Mr. Mapara and it was only <br /> crystallised after the suit for specific performance was decreed in <br /> favour of the petitioner. The petitioner then paid the balance <br /> consideration which was directed to be deposited in the Trial <br /> Court. Even after the decree was passed, Mr. Mapara did not <br /> execute the necessary agreement and therefore the petitioner had <br /> to file execution proceedings in the course of which ultimately the <br /> decree was executed. <br /> 38. For CIDCO to expect the petitioner to start the <br /> construction within the stipulated period of four years in terms of <br /> Regulation 7 is unjustified. Further, in our view the stand of <br /> CIDCO that since Mr. Mapara did not complete the construction <br /> within a period of four years and therefore they are entitled to <br /> charge the ALP from the petitioner is unfair and unjust.<br /> <br /> 39. In terms of Regulation 10, the petitioner has to perform <br /> and observe all the conditions stipulated in the agreement of lease. <br /> However, the question of payment of ALP by the petitioner will <br /> have to be considered in the facts of this case. The benefit of the <br /> 22 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> Board Resolution that the ALP shall be levied at 0% for the entire <br /> period when the licensee was restrained from <br /> commencing/continuing construction due to Court case/order of <br /> judicial authority will have to be given to the petitioner. <br /> 40. We would have probably approached the matter <br /> differently had Mr. Mapara pursuant to the agreement entered into <br /> with the petitioner handed over the physical possession of the said <br /> plot to the petitioner. In the present case the petitioner was placed <br /> in possession of the suit plot pursuant to the execution of the <br /> decree. CIDCO was very much a party to the suit. Merely because <br /> there is no privity of contract between the petitioner and CIDCO is <br /> no ground to deny relief to the petitioner in the present facts. <br /> Though the petitioner steps into the shoes of Mr. Mapara and is <br /> expected to observe all the conditions stipulated in the agreement <br /> to lease in terms of Regulation 10, the fact remains that the <br /> petitioner would be in a position to comply with the terms and <br /> conditions only after the decree was executed. All along Mr. <br /> Mapara was resisting the suit and thereafter the execution <br /> 23 <br /><br /> Bhogale 902.wp-14359-2024.odt<br /> <br /> proceedings. Expecting the petitioner to suffer the consequences of <br /> breach committed by Mr. Mapara for no fault of the petitioner <br /> would be harsh and hence CIDCO's insistence of payment of ALP <br /> by the petitioner is arbitrary. It is open for CIDCO to make a claim <br /> against Mr. Mapara if permissible in law. <br /> 41. We therefore do not have any hesitation in allowing this <br /> writ petition and the same is accordingly allowed in terms of <br /> prayer clause (a) which reads thus :-<br /> “(a) This Hon’ble Court be pleased to issue a Writ of <br /> Certiorari under Article 226 and 227 of Constitution of India <br /> or any other writ and/or directions in the nature of Writ of <br /> certiorari and entire records and proceedings relating to <br /> th th<br /> Demand Notice dated 25 June 2024 and 27 June 2024 <br /> passed by Respondent no.2 be called and after examining the <br /> legality and propriety thereof, this Hon’ble Court be pleased <br /> to quash and set aside the said Demand Notice dated <br /> th th<br /> 25 June 2024 and 27 June 2024.”<br /> 42. The writ petition is disposed of. No costs. <br /> (S. M. MODAK, J.) (M. S. KARNIK, J.)<br /> Signed by: Pradnya Bhogale<br /> Designation: PA To Honourable Judge<br /> Date: 02/04/2026 19:45:21<br /> 24 </div>