98 illegal occupants in Delhi's Le Meridien commercial tower, says MoS Gangaram Ahir

As many as 98 individuals or companies have illegally occupied the commercial tower of Le Meridien hotel in Delhi, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed Parliament on Tuesday.

"The commercial tower of the Hotel Le Meridien block is illegally occupied by 98 companies /individuals as the hotelier either sold certain portions of the public property in gross violation of law or sublet rooms or floors of the hotel in violation of terms and conditions of erstwhile license," Ahir said in a written reply during the question hour in the Lok Sabha.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had canceled the license deed of CJ International Hotels Ltd in March 2017 for non-payment of Rs.518.80 crore outstanding dues.

NDMC had initiated eviction and recovery proceedings, but the hotel group challenged the cancellation of license in court.

"The High Court has advised NDMC not to proceed before the Estate officer for eviction proceedings till next date of hearing on April 9," the minister added.