$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment pronounced on: 20.03.2026 + W.P.(C) 5363/2023 and CM APPLs. 20958/2023, 51712/2023, 9313/2024, 39879/2025 UNITED NEWS OF INDIA ......Petitioner Through: Mr. Rajshekhar Rao (Sr. Advocate)

along with Mr. Praveen Kumar, Mr. Nikhil Singhvi, Mr. Vinayak Bhandari, Mr. Sarthak Gupta, Mr. Soham Krishan Luthra, Mr.

Suman Raj, Advocates.

versus UNION OF INDIA THROUGH LAND AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma (ASG) along with Mr. Ashish K. Dixit (CGSC) along with Mr. Umar Hashmi, Mr. Gautam Yadav, Advs. and Mr. Gaurav, Mr. Suchit Goyal (Dy, L&DO), Ms. Iqra Sheikh, Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. R.V. Prabhat, Mr. Yashvardhan and Mr. Naman, Advocates for R-1.

Mr. Yashaswi S K Chocksey (GP) for UOI.

Mr. Gaurav along with Mr. Yash Narain, Advs. along with Mr. Bipin Bhatt (Section Officer/ L&DO).

Mr. Vikramjit Banerjee (ASG) along with Mr. Apoorv Kurup (Sr. Advocate) along with Ms. Gauri Gobhurdun, Mr. Nring C. Zeilang, Advocates. CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

JUDGMENT

CM APPL.58548/2023 (Application on behalf of Press Council of India for impleadment as a party in the present proceedings)

1. The present application for impleadment is filed in the present Writ Petition bearing W.P.(C) 5363/2023, wherein the Petitioner/ United News of India has assailed the letter no. L&DO/L-II-B/10(88)/2017/91 dated 29.03.2023 (“Impugned Cancellation Letter”) issued by the Respondent No.1/ Land & Development Office, Union of India (L&DO). The Applicant – Press Council of India seeks to implead itself in the present petition on the ground that it is a necessary and proper party to the proceedings.

2. Learned senior counsel for the Applicant submits that, being a co- allottee, the grant of any relief to the Petitioner in respect of the cancellation of allotment of the subject land would inevitably affect the interests of the Applicant as well. Accordingly, the Applicant seeks to be impleaded in the present proceedings so as to be heard in the matter.

3. On 24.09.2025, the Petitioner filed its reply to the said application strongly opposing to the impleadment of the Press Council of India, stating that the same is not maintainable.

4. The present petition impugns the cancellation action taken by the L&DO qua an allotment made to the petitioner. The said challenge is required to be adjudged on its own merit; the stand of the Press Council of India (PCI) will have no bearing thereon. No relief has been sought against the PCI in these proceedings. As such, this Court has not found it necessary to formally implead the PCI in these proceedings. Nevertheless, PCI has been given an opportunity to refer to certain documents (official correspondences), and make submissions on the legal issues.

5. The said application stands disposed of.

W.P.(C) 5363/2023

6. The present writ petition has been filed by the Petitioner/ United News of India, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, inter-alia assailing the Impugned Cancellation Letter, issued by the Respondent no.1/ Land and Development Office, Union of India, whereby the allotment of land admeasuring 2024 sq. meters at 9, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, which had been allotted to the Petitioner, has been cancelled on the ground of alleged violation of the terms of the allotment letter dated 27.06.2000. The principal grievance of the Petitioner is that the impugned cancellation is arbitrary, unreasonable and contrary to the terms governing the allotment. The Impugned Cancellation Letter dated 29.03.2023 reads as under:

FACTUAL MATRIX

7. An allotment letter dated 14.12.1979 was issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) in favour of the Petitioner, whereby land situated at 9, Rafi Marg, New Delhi came to be allotted. The said letter recorded the area of the plot as measuring 1.453 acres (0.588 hectares). The allotment was made not only for the benefit of the Petitioner but also in respect of four other partic