The Gujarat government has approved the allotment of a 978-square-metre plot in Vadodara to former Indian cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan. The land, located next to his residence, has been at the centre of a dispute for more than a decade.
The state government has issued the necessary order to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). However, the allotment process is not yet complete, as the proposal requires approval from the civic body’s Standing Committee before Pathan can take possession of the property.
The plot’s estimated value is ₹20.53 crore, calculated at approximately ₹2.10 lakh per square metre. The final amount payable by Pathan has not yet been determined and will be assessed by the municipal corporation in accordance with the state government’s order.
VMC Commissioner Arun Babu confirmed that the corporation had received the government’s approval and that the proposal would now be placed before the Standing Committee for consideration.
How the Land Dispute Began
The matter dates back to 2012, when Pathan approached the Vadodara Municipal Corporation seeking allotment of a 978-square-metre plot adjacent to his bungalow in the Tandalja area.
The proposal was discussed at municipal meetings held on March 30 and June 8, 2012. At the time, the corporation considered allotting the land to him on a 99-year lease without conducting a public auction.
However, the Gujarat government rejected the proposal in 2014, citing the absence of a public auction.
In 2024, the municipal corporation initiated action to remove what it described as an encroachment on the land, referring to the earlier rejection of the allotment proposal. Pathan challenged the decision in the Gujarat High Court.
On August 21, 2025, the High Court dismissed his petition. He subsequently filed an appeal before a division bench against the single judge’s order.
High Court Raised Questions Over Land Occupation
During a hearing on June 8, 2026, the High Court questioned how government land could be occupied without a formal allotment and payment of the required amount. The court also raised concerns about the role of municipal officials in the matter.
Pathan’s lawyer sought additional time to present arguments, referring to the state’s policy concerning land allotments to international cricketers.
A further development occurred on August 31, 2026, when Pathan withdrew his appeal before the High Court.
The state government’s latest approval marks a significant development in the long-running dispute. However, the allotment remains subject to the municipal corporation’s pending approval and the determination of the final amount payable.