Govt to auction enemy properties in UP after lease expiry, no renewals allowed

Under the Enemy Property Act, enemy property refers to those left behind in India by people who migrated to China and Pakistan and acquired citizenship of those countries following the wars of 1965 and 1971.Enemy properties in Lucknow. (Photo: Representational)The government has decided to stop renewing leases of enemy properties, directing authorities to take possession once existing contracts expire and put them up for auction.Under the Enemy Property Act, these are properties left behind in India by people who migrated to China and Pakistan and acquired citizenship of those countries following the wars of 1965 and 1971.The Union Home Ministry has instructed officials to ensure that no existing lease or tenancy of enemy property is extended beyond its stipulated period.Occupants with valid contracts will have to vacate the properties once their agreements expire, following which the government will take possession. Properties under illegal occupation will be given 15 days to vacate. Those who fail to comply within the stipulated period will face eviction proceedings, according to the directions.The Custodian of Enemy Property for India office in Lucknow has written to the District Magistrates concerned following instructions from the Home Ministry, asking them to implement the directions. There are around 5,600 enemy properties across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, officials said.A significant number is either under illegal occupation or have been leased out at rates that are substantially below their potential market value.The scale of the issue is illustrated by properties in Lucknow.Halwasiya Market in Hazratganj, spread across around 10,000 square metres, currently fetches a monthly rent of just Rs 700. Its lease is due to expire next year and will not be renewed.Similarly, Kohli Brothers, occupying around 400 square metres, reportedly pays only Rs 250 a month.While Kapoor Hotel pays Rs 8,000 a month, Tata Group pays Rs 3,000 and Mahatex Handloom, spread across around 400 square metres, pays Rs 2,000 per month.The move is aimed at bringing enemy properties under government control and ensuring that they are not allowed to remain under low-value leases or unauthorised occupation indefinitely.Properties taken back by the government are to be disposed of through auction.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 12:04 IST