In a court fight over a bungalow in Igatpuri, Nashik, Ashok Gaikwad was told to give the property back to the Chandekar family. The fight was about who had control of the bungalow, and the court decided in favor of the Chandekars because they had proof showing they were in charge of the property.
The case involved Ashok Kacharu Gaikwad, who filed a request in the Bombay High Court to review a decision from May 21, 2022, by the Nashik Civil Judge. This decision ordered him to give back the bungalow to the Chandekar family. The lawsuit was originally filed by Rev. Samuel Chandekar and his family under a part of the law that deals with getting things back when they're taken unfairly.
The property in question is an old bungalow from the British era called ‘Barley Bungalow’ in Igatpuri, Nashik. The Chandekars said they had been in control of the bungalow for over 50 years and that it was given to them as a gift in 2014. Ashok's father, Kacharu Gaikwad, was initially a security guard there, and Ashok took over in 2006.
The Chandekars accused Ashok of building without permission in 2011 and claimed he took over the bungalow by force on February 14, 2016. They reported this to the police, which led to the lawsuit filed in 2021.
During the trial, many people, including carpenters and builders who worked on the bungalow, gave their statements. The court found the Chandekars' evidence believable, showing they were fixing up the property when Ashok supposedly took it over.
Ashok's side argued that he and his family had lived there for many years, challenging the Chandekars' claim. However, the court pointed out that he was there only as a caretaker, not as the rightful person in charge.
On May 21, 2022, the court decided in favor of the Chandekars and told Ashok to leave. Judge Sandeep V. Marne rejected Ashok's request to change the decision on February 27, 2026, agreeing with the earlier court's decision.
"The possession needs to be effective, undisturbed, and to the knowledge of the owner." - Judge Sandeep V. Marne
Ashok was given time until April 30, 2026, to leave the bungalow. The court stressed that the decision was about who was in control, not who owned it, allowing Ashok to take further legal steps if he wanted.
In summary, the court ruled that the Chandekars had the right to control the bungalow, and Ashok was required to leave. The case shows how complicated property disputes can be and the importance of having clear evidence when claiming control over a property.
