Bombay HC MUMBAI: A suit dating back to the year India got independence finally stood disposed of by the Bombay high court this month, with the fourth generation of the original land owner amicably settling a property dispute. The estate included vast portions of the village of Dahisar in north Mumbai. The area was a whopping 2,891 acres or over 1,100 hectares. It was 3.5 times the size of Central Park in New York.Over the decades, the legal battle saw repeated pleas against sale of parcels of land in Dahisar to private parties, as well as an acquisition by the state under the Salsette Law and Forest Act.Justice Farhan Dubash, one of the newest judges of the high court, put a quietus via a consent term order to the legal tussle 78 years, or over three quarters of a century later, on a suit filed on Oct 7, 1947.The original suit had sought administration of the estate of one Haji Alimohammed Haji Cassum following his demise, as per personal laws applicable. It was filed by Badrushama, widow of Suleman Haji Alimohammed Haji Cassum, versus Salim Dawood Agboatwala and others.Justice Dubash, began his order with: “This order disposes of probably the oldest Suit that is currently pending before the Bombay high court.”Over the years, several orders were passed in the matter, including a preliminary decree passed on Nov 25, 1952 that determined the legal share of all heirs.Before that, the HC appointed a court receiver in 1950 to look after the property. Successive generations continued the legal battle before the HC. Finally, with the litigation entering the fourth generation, all heirs decided to amicably settle. They filed consent terms before the HC on Feb 5. The terms were accepted, and the suit was struck off from a pendency list to a disposed one.This verdict resulted in one of the longest pending cases in the history of the Bombay HC coming to a close.The HC recorded the agreement arrived at between the parties after hearing Kevic Setalvad, senior counsel with advocate Vijaylaxmi Kulkarni appearing for the plaintiffs, and Anupam Surve, counsel with solicitor Nanu Hormasjee and Co for contesting heirs.The settlement was between Ateeq Anwar Agboatwala, a power of attorney holder for the first plaintiff, and other members of the Agboatwala family.At the end of the settlement, what was payable to the court receiver towards costs and charges in the matter was Rs 7 lakh. After deducting this amount, the rest of the undisclosed amount is to be returned on or before Feb 20, 2026 to the family.About the AuthorSwati DeshpandeSwati Deshpande is Senior editor at The Times of India, Mumbai, where she has been covering courts for over a decade. She is passionate about law and works towards enlightening people about their statutory, legal and fundamental rights. She makes it her job to decipher for the public the truth, be it in an intricate civil dispute or in a gruesome criminal case.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEpstein Files: King Charles’ Brother & UK’s Former Prince Andrew Arrested For ‘Misconduct In Office'”We Can’t Be Seen As Weak”: Tharoor’s Bold Claim On Rafale Deal“Nothing Like Money”: Donald Trump Says 200% Tariff Warning Stopped India-Pak FightRishi Sunak Highlights India’s Rise As Global AI Powerhouse At Impact Summit’Don’t See How People Criticise!’ French President Emmanuel Macron Defends India-France Rafale DealFrom India To Bharat: PM Modi’s Nameplate Grabs Eyes, Draws Global Attention At AI Impact Summit’Challenges At Sea More Complex, Interconnected’, Says Rajnath Singh At MILAN 2026 Naval ExerciseRussia Affirms India Still Buys Russian Oil, Rejects Recent US Statements’India Well Positioned To Lead The World In AI’: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman At AI Impact SummitAI Rivals Altman, Amodei Snub Each Other, Turns India AI Impact Summit Photo Op With PM Modi Awkward123PhotostoriesThe 50: Prince Narula, Mr Faisu, Rajat Dalal to Shiv Thakare: Meet the Top 12 contestants of the reality show5 Vastu-approved fish to keep in your home aquarium for luck and prosperityChef Sanjeev Kapoor’s microwave cleaning tips will make your kitchen life easier5 times Bad Bunny made headlinesWhat’s it like to visit Jhalana Leopard Safari Park in Rajasthan?Top 5 shows to watch on OTT before ‘House of the Dragon Season 3’ arrives7 New High-Speed Rail Corridors! On Which Routes Will Bullet Trains Run In India? Check Cities, Travel Time – Top DetailsRamadan 2026: How to make Chicken Malai Tikka in an air fryer in under 20 minutes7 natural sleep experts from the animal kingdom8 popular types of cars and what they’re best used for123Hot PicksCigarette price hikeGold rate todayITC shareMadhya Pradesh budget 2026–27Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingDeenTheGreatKayla NicoleGolden State WarriorsMagic JohnsonIndiana Pacers vs Washington WizardsJoel EmbiidFrank MartinWinter Olympics 2026NBA Trade NewsErik Karlsson
MUMBAI: A suit dating back to the year India got independence finally stood disposed of by the Bombay high court this month, with the fourth generation of the original land owner amicably settling a property dispute. The estate included vast portions of the village of Dahisar in north Mumbai. The area was a whopping 2,891 acres or over 1,100 hectares. It was 3.5 times the size of Central Park in New York.Over the decades, the legal battle saw repeated pleas against sale of parcels of land in Dahisar to private parties, as well as an acquisition by the state under the Salsette Law and Forest Act.Justice Farhan Dubash, one of the newest judges of the high court, put a quietus via a consent term order to the legal tussle 78 years, or over three quarters of a century later, on a suit filed on Oct 7, 1947.The original suit had sought administration of the estate of one Haji Alimohammed Haji Cassum following his demise, as per personal laws applicable. It was filed by Badrushama, widow of Suleman Haji Alimohammed Haji Cassum, versus Salim Dawood Agboatwala and others.Justice Dubash, began his order with: “This order disposes of probably the oldest Suit that is currently pending before the Bombay high court.”Over the years, several orders were passed in the matter, including a preliminary decree passed on Nov 25, 1952 that determined the legal share of all heirs.Before that, the HC appointed a court receiver in 1950 to look after the property. Successive generations continued the legal battle before the HC. Finally, with the litigation entering the fourth generation, all heirs decided to amicably settle. They filed consent terms before the HC on Feb 5. The terms were accepted, and the suit was struck off from a pendency list to a disposed one.This verdict resulted in one of the longest pending cases in the history of the Bombay HC coming to a close.The HC recorded the agreement arrived at between the parties after hearing Kevic Setalvad, senior counsel with advocate Vijaylaxmi Kulkarni appearing for the plaintiffs, and Anupam Surve, counsel with solicitor Nanu Hormasjee and Co for contesting heirs.The settlement was between Ateeq Anwar Agboatwala, a power of attorney holder for the first plaintiff, and other members of the Agboatwala family.At the end of the settlement, what was payable to the court receiver towards costs and charges in the matter was Rs 7 lakh. After deducting this amount, the rest of the undisclosed amount is to be returned on or before Feb 20, 2026 to the family.
