Hotel remained in controversy since 1985

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 26

Though high drama was witnessed during the sealing exercise at Hotel Park Plaza here today, the hotel site has been mired in controversies ever since its allotment in 1985.

The site was resumed thrice. Not only its name was changed from Hotel James Plaza to Hotel Park Plaza, its ownership also changed hands from former union minister and senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan to HS Arora, an NRI.

In 1985, former union minister and senior BJP leader Harmohan Dhawan’s company Mehfil Hotels had purchased the site for Rs 83.50 lakh. In 1986, the lease deed was signed but later the hotel management was not able to clear the balance payments. Finally, the UT Estate Office took over the site. Meanwhile, Dhawan had also transferred his shares.

Later, the owners filed an appeal before the UT Adviser and got the land back. The Adviser had told the owners to pay Rs 80 lakh. However, when the owners again defaulted on it, the site was resumed again on February 15, 2006. Again, the owners filed an appeal before the UT Adviser, and the hotel management was asked to complete the construction in one year.

On May 23, 2008, when the construction still remained incomplete, former UT Deputy Commissioner RK Rao had ordered resumption of the hotel site once again. Once again owners got relief from the High Court and Hotel Park Plaza was inaugurated in April 2012.