Owning a bungalow on Prithviraj Road is a dream for every Delhiite, and Monica Burman is no different. She bought one, back in 1973, but the Urban Development Ministry is playing spoilsport ever since.

While Burman got a leasehold on Plot number 2 (A), Block 1, 43-A, Prtithviraj Road, she is still awaiting ownership.

With the ministry refusing to give her freehold — or right to permanent ownership of a property — on the ground that the property was allotted for a group housing scheme, her application lies in limbo.

This, despite Burman depositing Rs 25.33 lakh for the 2,280-sq yard property on November 21, 1999 as conversion charges. The payment was based on a policy issued by the UD ministry and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). It offered those with leasehold (the right to hold or use property for a fixed period at a given price, without transfer of ownership) an opportunity to convert properties to freehold after paying a certain fee.

Arguing her case in High court, Burman said the ministry also ignored a completion certificate issued by NMDC’s Department of Archeitecture and Environment in 1987 that cleared additions or alterations she did on the building for “residential purpose”.

On Tuesday, Burman finally won some respite when the High Court imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on the ministry for the inordinate delay and urged it to hear her application soon. 

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who heard Burman’s petition, had cautioned the government in the previous hearing that it had been over “nine years since the application for freeholdship has been filed”.

... contd.