Supreme Court Reopens ₹400 Crore Jaipur Royal Family Land Dispute

The Supreme Court has ordered a fresh hearing in a ₹400 crore land dispute between the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the family of former Deputy Chief Minister and Jaipur royal member, Diya Kumari. The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Vishwanathan, overturned a Rajasthan High Court decision that had upheld a lower court ruling in favor of the royal family without examining the merits. The High Court has now been directed to decide JDA’s original appeal on merit within four weeks and submit a compliance report.

Background of the Dispute
The dispute concerns land in the urban area of Jaipur, historically known as Hathroi village. Today, this area includes valuable real estate, schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure. JDA estimates the land’s value at ₹400 crore.

According to JDA, the land was recorded as “Sivai Chak” — government land without agricultural use. JDA claims it took possession in the 1990s and challenged the royal family’s claim that it was private property under the 1949 merger agreement when Jaipur joined the Indian Union. JDA maintains that the land was never listed as private property in the agreement and that large portions were legally acquired between 1993 and 1995 with compensation.

Legal Battle Timeline
In 2005, the royal family filed a civil suit to declare ownership. On 24 November 2011, a lower court ruled in their favor, declaring them owners and invalidating JDA’s claims. JDA filed its first appeal in 2012, which was rejected in November 2023. However, after more than a year, the Supreme Court revived the appeal.

On 15 September last year, the High Court refused to intervene, upholding the lower court ruling without appellate review. Subsequently, JDA approached the Supreme Court on 10 December, arguing that public land had been lost on technical grounds despite completed acquisition processes, established revenue records, and constitutional provisions under Article 363 protecting state ownership.

Next Steps
With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the High Court will now hear JDA’s appeal on merit. The outcome will determine the rightful ownership of this high-value Jaipur land, resolving a dispute that has lasted over two decades.