Kashmir’s famed Nedous Hotel in Gulmarg, owned by in-laws of the ruling National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was today taken over by the Gulmarg Development Authority.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had served an eviction notice to the Nedous Hotel ordering
it to vacate the government land it occupied without a valid lease since 1985. The eviction notice
was ordered by the government in compliance with directions from both the High Court of Jammu
and Kashmir and the Supreme Court.
“The premises under the unauthorised occupation were vacated and it was handed over to the GDA,”
a senior official said. “The eviction was carried out in a peaceful manner.”
Nedous Hotel in Gulmarg was established in 1888 by European entrepreneur Michael Adam Nedou. He played a pivotal role in making the scenic meadow into a sought-after hill station for British visitors.
Michael Nedou’s daughter, Begum Akbar Jehan, married NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The hotel is now owned by a relative of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The hotel’s legacy is mired in land dispute with the family occupying 98 kanals and 11 marlas of government land. The hotel’s last lease was for just 2 kanals and 13 marlas. The Nedous held valid leases until 1985 but it failed to secure renewals thereafter. In 2015, the J and K government formally rejected their lease extension citing massive violations and encroachment. The J and K High Court dismissed the hotel’s plea for lease renewal. The apex court also dismissed the Special Leave Petition clearing the way for eviction.
