NDMC seals hotel in central Delhi, takes over possession

Cracking the whip, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) today sealed a hotel in central Delhi and took over its possession after the hotel authorities failed to abide by the eviction order following expiry of its lease.
"We had issued an eviction order to Hotel Asian International to vacate the property as their lease had expired long back and they were occupying the premises in an unathourised manner.
"Following their failure to do so we sealed the hotel today and took over the possession," a senior NDMC official said.
The eviction order to the hotel authorities was issued on April 24 with a deadline of 15 days.

"In exercise of the power conferred on us by section 542 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants Act), 1975, the possession can be taken within seven days by use of force as may be necessary," the official added.
He said that there has been a "history of violations" by the hotel following which NDMC was forced to take the punitive action.

The hotel authorities were not available for their comment on the issue.
The civic body had in February this year sealed Hotel Asian International and Hotel Connaught for not clearing their due license fees of Rs 56 crore and Rs 130 crore respectively.

According to NDMC rules, the civic agency charges an annual licence fee on the properties given on lease.
The licence fees are charged where land and building is owned by NDMC.