No Star Privilege: Gujarat High Court Rules Against Yusuf Pathan in Land Case
(By: Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Ahmedabad September,17, 2025 – The Gujarat High Court has ruled that former cricketer and current TMC Member of Parliament Yusuf Pathan encroached on public property, firmly dismissing his petition challenging the State Government’s decision to reject his proposal for the allotment of a disputed plot.
A bench headed by Justice Mauna M. Bhatt delivered the judgment, underscoring that Pathan’s claim to the land had no legal basis. The court rejected Pathan’s argument that he was willing to pay the market value for a 99-year lease on the plot, emphasizing that as a celebrity and parliamentarian, he bears a greater responsibility toward society. The bench noted the Supreme Court’s stance that celebrities serve as social role models, and therefore must uphold higher standards of conduct.
The dispute dates back to 2012 when Yusuf Pathan sought to acquire a 978 square meter plot adjacent to his bungalow in Vadodara, citing security concerns. He had applied to municipal authorities for a long-term lease of the plot, specifically requesting a 99-year lease. The Vadodara Municipal Commissioner referred the matter to the State Government for approval.
While the proposal was pending with the State Government, Pathan allegedly took possession of the plot without formal sanction. In June 2024, the State Government formally rejected his proposal to lease the land. Yusuf Pathan challenged this rejection in the Gujarat High Court, which has now dismissed his plea.
“On 13.06.2024, The petitioner replied to the impugned notice/ communication stating that the plot in question is not used nor auctioned by the respondent and the petitioner is ready and willing to pay the valuation as decided by the respondent, the plot is adjacent to the petitioner’s house and for the security purpose has built a compound wall, the petitioner requests that being the neighbouring plot he may
be given first preference and he is ready to pay whatever the price fixed by the corporation. Since, in 2014 the valuation committee had already fixed the offset price and had approved the proposal for allotting the plot to the petitioner on the payment of the valuation price, the petitioner had only cordoned the plot for security purposes.”
The court concluded that Pathan has no rightful claim over the plot, stating that neither his prolonged possession nor his willingness to pay market value for the lease confers any legal rights to the property.
“The celebrities by virtue of their fame and public presence wield substantial influence on public behaviour and social values granting leniency to such persons despite their non-abeyance of law gives wrong message to the society and undermines public confidence in the judicial system. Therefore, in the opinion of this Court the petitioner shall not be permitted to remain in the occupation of the plot in question which he has encroached.”
The judgment sends a strong message about the sanctity of public land and the legal processes involved in its allotment, making it clear that even prominent figures must adhere to the law.
Senior Advocate Yatin Oza and Advocates Shyam M Shah appeared for Pathan.
Advocate Maulik Nanavati appeared for the VMC.
Additional Government pleader Suman Motla appeared for the State
