Delhi High Court Asks DDA To Adopt Settlement Approach To Avoid Prolonged Litigation, Imposes ₹25K Costs

The Delhi High Court has recently asked the Delhi Development Authority to adopt a professional approach to settle cases through mediation or settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.

Justice Dharmesh Sharma made the observation while dealing with a plea moved in 2016 by various individuals for conversion of a property from leasehold to freehold and to execute a Conveyance Deed in their favour.

The court expressed displeasure with DDA for denying to process the application of the petitioners for conversion of the property which was moved in 2015.

It said that DDA's denial is “unfathomable for being mis-conceived” despite having an “army of panel advocates and designated senior counsels at its command.”

The court imposed a costs of Rs. 25,000 on DDA to be deposited with Delhi's Juvenile Justice Board within four weeks.

“The imposition of cost is a reminder to the respondent/DDA that in a case like the instant one, a sincere and professional approach should have been adopted to negotiate for an amicable settlement through mediation or Lok Adalat,” the court said.

Justice Sharma noted that the property already stood mutated in favour of the petitioners in terms of a letter issued by the DDA in 2014.

“At the cost of repetition, this cautionary approach of the Respondent/DDA cannot be justified. It is patently unfair and such approach entails huge costs on the exchequer including the Respondent/DDA, that keep on pursuing such legally misconceived litigations and put enormous strain on the dispensation of justice in the Courts,” the court said.

Allowing the plea, the court directed DDA to process and consider the application for conversion of the subject property within six weeks.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Orders Constitution Of Review Committee To Consider DDA Cases For Resolution Through Mediation

Title: SURESH CHANDER CHADHA & ORS. v. DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

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