The Himachal Pradesh High Court intervened in a contentious situation, issuing a stay order against the state government’s attempts to assume possession of Hotel Wildflower Hall in Kufri. The court directed the government to refrain from interfering in the luxury hotel’s daily operations, halting the execution of the government’s orders.
Earlier, the court had granted time until December 15 for the state to reveal its intention regarding the possession of Hotel Wildflower Hall, part of East India Hotels (EIH) by the Oberoi group. However, despite this timeline, the state officials reportedly initiated action, visiting the premises and issuing executive orders, prompting the court’s intervention.
Justice Satyen Vaidya emphasized that the execution of the arbitrator’s award must follow the court’s directives and not be executed by the involved parties themselves. The court’s stay order came as a response to the government’s actions deemed as premature, violating proper eviction procedures.
The counsel representing EIH, Rakeshwar Lal Sood, denounced the government’s actions as illegal and contrary to due procedure. He highlighted the court’s previous instruction for the state to declare its intention by December 15, yet officials attempted a takeover on Saturday morning, prompting the hotel’s management to seek a stay through an application.
While the advocate general mentioned engaging senior advocate Dhruv Mehta to represent the government, the hearing was adjourned until November 21 due to his unavailability.
The legal dispute traces back to the arbitration award in 2005, where the arbitrator deemed the joint venture agreement valid and suggested an amicable separation due to irreparable damages in the relationship between the parties.
Situated amidst the scenic Chharabra near Kufri, Hotel Wildflower Hall’s history involves reconstruction following a fire in 1993, with the Himachal Pradesh government partnering with the Oberoi Group to establish a five-star luxury hotel at the site, marked by ongoing legal contentions.
Sources By Agencies
