Summary: The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Vivekananda Kendra, allowing it to keep using a piece of land in Baripada for 99 years, overturning a previous High Court decision.
Back in 1998, Anima Bose, a supporter of Vivekananda Kendra, rented a piece of land in Baripada, Orissa, to the organization for 99 years. The rent was set at a modest Rs. 1,000 per year. Fast forward to 2003, Anima Bose ended the lease, claiming illness and family pressure, and asked the Kendra to leave.
In 2005, Anima Bose's representative, Sujit Kumar Mohanty, sold the property to Pradeep Kumar Agarwalla and Ratandeep Agarwalla for Rs. 17,80,100. Vivekananda Kendra, feeling wronged, filed a case to declare the lease cancellation as dishonest and to get back possession.
"The Plaintiff wanted the court to declare that the 99-year lease is valid, and that the cancellation document is dishonest, illegal, and not valid."
The Trial Court sided with Vivekananda Kendra, affirming the lease's validity and ruling the cancellation illegal. However, the High Court overturned this decision, stating the lease was more like a permission to use the land temporarily, allowing the sale to stand.
Justice S.V.N. Bhatti, along with Justice Pankaj Mithal, reviewed the case. They emphasized that the lease was indeed valid, as it gave exclusive rights to Vivekananda Kendra.
"The previous judgment is canceled. The buyers from the first Defendant have rights that are preserved and protected, and they are allowed to enjoy these rights."
On February 26, 2026, the Supreme Court restored the Trial Court's decision, allowing Vivekananda Kendra to continue its activities on the property for the rest of the lease term.
