The Gujarat High Court has stepped in to protect a piece of royal history in Surat, issuing a stay on the proposed demolition of part of the Sachin state's palace. The interim order came on Friday after the erstwhile royal family, led by Sidi Mohammed Reza Khan, filed a petition challenging a notice from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Court Halts Coercive Action Against Heritage Structure
Justice Mauna Bhatt of the Gujarat High Court, after hearing preliminary arguments, directed that no coercive action is to be taken regarding the palace until the next hearing. The court issued a formal notice to the SMC and demanded its written response by February 23. This order effectively puts a temporary stop to any demolition activity planned under a town planning scheme.
The Royal Family's Plea and the SMC's Notice
The legal dispute stems from a notice issued on October 29, 2025, by the Surat Municipal Corporation. The notice directed the royal family to surrender a portion of their land as part of a 40% deduction under a town planning scheme formulated by the Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA). The notice warned that if the land was not surrendered within seven days, the authorities would take possession.
In their petition, the family members clarified that they are not fundamentally opposed to surrendering land for the scheme. However, they made a unique plea to save their ancestral palace. They urged the SMC and the court to consider accepting an alternative parcel of land from them, even if it doesn't strictly match the exact measurements required. This compromise, they argued, would allow the town planning project to proceed while preserving the heritage structure.
Legal Arguments and the Path Forward
Appearing for the Surat Municipal Corporation, advocate Kaushal Pandya informed the court that the notice had already been acted upon and that possession of the land had been taken. However, in a significant development, Pandya stated he would seek instructions from the SMC regarding the family's proposal to surrender alternative land to protect the palace.
The court's intervention has provided a crucial breathing space for the royal family and heritage conservationists. The case highlights the often complex clash between urban development goals and the preservation of historical landmarks. All eyes will now be on the SMC's formal response, which will shape the future of this architectural relic.
