Rajasthan Acts to Protect Bikaner House

The Rajasthan government has taken prompt action to safeguard Bikaner House, a heritage property in New Delhi, from an attachment order issued by a Delhi court in favor of Enviro Infra Engineers Pvt Ltd for a recovery amount of Rs 50 crore.

Bikaner House, located near India Gate, was constructed in 1929 by the Bikaner royals in art deco and colonial styles with Gothic elements. It features a spacious ballroom now used as an art gallery and houses popular restaurants.

The Rajasthan government has appointed Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma to take all necessary legal steps to protect the property and obtain a stay on the attachment order. The government acknowledged that previous officials exhibited “laxity,” failing to take timely measures to protect the state’s assets.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the government has issued immediate instructions for corrective action. Sharma is tasked with securing the property and may approach higher courts to prevent the attachment.

Bikaner House holds significant historical and cultural value for Rajasthan, and its attachment has raised concerns among state authorities. The attachment order stems from an unpaid arbitral award of Rs 50 crore in favor of Enviro Infra Engineers. The court noted that the debtor failed to provide an affidavit of its assets despite multiple reminders.

The Rajasthan government plans to investigate the apparent negligence by previous legal representatives and establish accountability. Mr. Sharma is expected to file for an urgent stay on the attachment order and explore all legal avenues to protect the state’s interests.