In a major legal and real estate development, the Supreme Court has dismissed Larsen & Toubro Limited’s plea in a long-running property dispute and ordered the company to vacate a prime bungalow located at Pali Hill in Mumbai’s Bandra area. The property, estimated to be worth over ₹1,000 crore, has been at the centre of a legal battle that stretched for more than two decades.
The verdict effectively ends one of Mumbai’s high-profile tenancy disputes involving a legacy property in one of the city’s most premium neighbourhoods.
Key Highlights
- The Supreme Court dismissed L&T’s appeal against eviction.
- The property is a premium bungalow at Pali Hill, Bandra, valued at over ₹1,000 crore.
- The tenancy dates back to the 1940s.
- The lease officially expired in 1970, but possession continued.
- The eviction case was first filed in 2001.
- L&T had bought minority shares in the property during the case and claimed co-ownership.
- Courts rejected that claim, calling it a strategy to delay eviction.
The Background of the Dispute
The dispute revolves around a large bungalow at 54 Pali Hill Road in Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most expensive residential locations. The property spreads across around 3,633 square yards and includes a bungalow structure, basement, servant quarters, and open land. In Mumbai’s current luxury market, such large standalone plots are extremely rare.
The tenancy on the property started in the 1940s and was formally renewed through a lease agreement in 1961. That lease expired on December 31, 1970. However, the company continued to occupy the premises even after the lease period ended.
In 1971, the Kothari family and other stakeholders acquired ownership of the estate and became the landlords.
Why the Landlords Went to Court
The landlords moved court in 2001 seeking eviction after changes under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 changed tenant protections.
Under the law, corporate tenants with a paid-up capital above ₹1 crore were no longer eligible for rent control protection. Since L&T fell into that category, the landlords argued that the company had no legal protection and should vacate the property.
L&T’s Defence
During the legal proceedings, L&T purchased a minority undivided share in the property from one of the co-owners. Later, the company increased its holding further.
Based on this, L&T argued that it had become a co-owner and therefore could not be evicted as a tenant.
Initially, the trial court accepted this argument in 2007 and dismissed the eviction suit but the landlords challenged the order.
What the Higher Courts Said
In 2010, the appellate bench reversed the trial court’s decision and ordered L&T to hand over possession.
L&T then approached the Bombay High Court.
In March 2026, the High Court rejected L&T’s revision plea and observed that buying a small share in the property during the dispute could not be used as a legal shield against eviction. The court said such a move appeared to have a collateral purpose.
L&T then moved the Supreme Court of India.
The apex court refused to interfere and dismissed the company’s petition, making the eviction final.
What This Means
With the Supreme Court refusing relief, L&T will now have to vacate the bungalow and hand over possession to the owners.
The ruling sends a strong message in property disputes: tenants cannot use technical ownership claims to avoid lawful eviction.
For Mumbai’s luxury real estate market, this case is significant because it highlights how old tenancy arrangements on premium properties are increasingly being challenged and legally reclaimed by owners.
For property owners, especially those dealing with legacy tenancies, this judgment could become an important reference point in future disputes.
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