Delhi HC quashes govt's 37-yr-old eviction notice to Indian Express

The Delhi High Court has quashed a 37-yearold eviction notice issued by the Central government to The Indian Express newspaper seeking to evict the newspaper from its Bahadur Shah Zafar Road office in Delhi.

The High Court held as arbitrary and malafide the Centre's decision to terminate its lease deed with Express Newspapers for the 'Express Building at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg while quashing the notice seeking ejection of the media house from the premises.

Justice Prathiba M Singh, while dealing with the lawsuits by both the Central government and Express Newspapers Ltd- filed over three decades ago, said the action of the authorities was an attempt to "muzzle Express Newspapers and dry up its source of income."

The Court nonetheless directed Express Newspapers to pay around Rs 64 crore to the Centre as payment towards "conversion charges", "ground rent" and "additional ground rent" in relation to the building.

"The termination of the lease dated 17th March, 1958 by notice dated 29th September, 1987 and 2nd November, 1987 is arbitrary and mala fide," it ruled on Friday.