GDA orders eviction of Hotel Nedous in Gulmarg after SC ruling

Baramulla, Aug 3: In a major development that has created panic among the leaseholders of Gulmarg, the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) has directed immediate eviction and takeover of the famous Nedous Hotel in Gulmarg, following long-standing legal proceedings over its occupancy status.

The move comes after the dismissal of the Special Leave Petition (SLP No 28599/2018) by the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir’s order dated September 6, 2018 (OWP No 847/2015).

Acting on the judicial directions, Chief Executive Officer, GDA, Tariq Hussain, has formally written to the Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg, ordering the eviction of the unauthorised occupant and transfer of the hotel premises to GDA within 24 hours.

The directive is further backed by a communication from the Tourism Department (Letter No TSM/Legal/15/2018 dated December 11, 2018) and SO 18 of 2025, which vests the powers of Estate Officer under the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, with the Assistant Director Tourism for tourism properties in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts.

The CEO Gulmarg communication issued vide no CEO/GDA/1621-25 dated August 1, 2025, reads, “The possession of Hotel Nedous, including its appurtenant land, currently under unauthorised occupation, must be taken over without delay and formally handed over to GDA.”

The District Magistrate, Baramulla, has been requested to provide all necessary support, including the deployment of a magistrate and adequate Police personnel, to ensure the peaceful execution of the eviction and the maintenance of public order.

Hotel Nedous, one of the oldest heritage properties in Gulmarg, was built in 1888 by Michael Adam Nedou, a European who discovered Gulmarg as a summer retreat for European elites and royals.

His son, Harry Nedou, married Mir Jaan, a Rajput Gujjar woman from Gulmarg.

Their daughter, Akbar Jahan, later married Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the founder of the National Conference (NC).

The hotel remained in the possession of the Nedous family for generations.

Currently, the family holds around 98 kanal and 11 marlas of government land.

The lease granted to them expired in 1985 and was never renewed thereafter.

In 2015, the Jammu and Kashmir government rejected their renewal request.

The High Court subsequently upheld the government’s decision, declaring the occupation illegal under the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988.

“After due examination of the relevant record and legal provisions, it has been found expedient to proceed with eviction and take over possession of the said property in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and High Court of Jammu and Kashmir,” the eviction notice states.

At present, Omar K Nedou is listed as the proprietor of Nedous Group of Hotels.

The family continues to have deep historical and political ties in Kashmir, being related to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and three-time chief minister and NC President Farooq Abdullah.