The Land and Development Office, under the Ministry of UrbanDevelopment, on Friday, removed encroachments and took possession of land allotted to the Centre for Applied Politics (CAP) Narendra Niketan (now a defunct entity), founded by former Prime Minister late Chandrashekhar.

The prime property, measuring 2000 yards located at IP Estate, ITO, near the graveyard, is worth over Rs 1,200 crore,

According to L and DO sources, the department vacated the premiseson Friday and took possession of the said property.  It was found that CAP violated the clause of lease and allotment letter issued in 1977.  Interestingly, inspection was carried out by L and DO in 2015 and 2016 and misuse of property was found.

 "In view of the above , the lessor has decided to cancel the allotment in respect of property allotted CAP, Narendra Niketan, IPEstate with immediate effect for violation of provision of allotment letter and agreement to lease. Upon such cancellation, entire plot of land forming the subject matter of the relevant lease deed  and the building standing0 there upon including all structural erections and fittings presently held by CAP shall vest with the Lessor," the order passed by Amit Kataria, Land and Development Officer said.

HN Sharma, a close aide of late Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, said that he had written to the Ministry of Urban Development and Land & Development Office that the said premises was encroached upon by apolitical party (Samajwadi Janta Party-Chandrashekhar) and few privatepersons and requested the ministry to cancel the allotment of the saidland as CAP was a defunct entity and the Centre does not have anyoffice at the said property. Earlier, PS Prasad, who was secretary withthe former PM, had submitted a plea to the ministry urging it to takeback the possession of the said property.Sharma said that former PM had desired that if CAP Narendra Niketan fails to function according to its objectives then land should be returned to the government.

In 1977, the  Ministry of Urban Development had allotted 2,000 yards to the CAP Narendra Niketan. The prime land at ITO was a bone of contention between the Samajwadi Janata Party and the Centre for Applied Politics (CAP) Narendra Niketan.

The said property was inspected by the L&DO officials vide inspectionID no ID12468 and after ascertaining that the land was being misused a notice no l&DO/lS2B/1(309)/251 of August 26, 2015 was issued to Centre for Applied Politics saying, "You are therefore hereby required toremedy the breaches within 30 days from the date of receipt of thisnotice failing which action to re-enter the premises under clause ofthe lease will be taken against you without any further notice in thematter."

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation had sent a notice for recoveryof property tax to the tune of Rs71, 91,151 on March 14, 2016.

In its inspection, the South DMC found that the centre wasguilty of unauthorised construction on the land allotted to it ,misappropriation of the property and non-payment of legitimatemunicipal /Government dues. "Despite having full and authenticknowledge of the irregularities committed, the Centre for Applied Politics, have not taken any tangible action in the matter," the SouthDMC order had  said.