New Delhi: Conversion of properties from leasehold to freehold in Delhi is an important right available to citizens, the high court has said, flagging the pendency of more than 1,300 such applications with Delhi Development Authority (DDA), for which the agency has collected over Rs 155 crore.Conversion enables citizens to freely deal with, transfer and otherwise transact in respect of their immovable properties, the court said. “Hundreds of immovable property owners in Delhi have…, in fact, paid the necessary conversion fee… Their applications have been put on hold and there is no clarity as to when the decision in respect of the conversion charges would be taken and as to when DDA would be able to restart the IDLI portal,” a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan observed recently.The Interactive Disposal of Land Information System portal is for filing related applications and has remained non-functional since Jan 2, 2026. The high court was hearing a contempt plea against the land owning agency for putting on hold all such conversions.“When a substantial amount of money of more than Rs 155 crore has been collected by DDA, putting on hold even existing conversion applications would be completely unjustified,” the court noted. “DDA cannot be permitted to keep this issue pending for such a prolonged period, particularly when nearly seven months have elapsed without any final decision being taken.”The bench said the delay from Jan to July “in restoring and facilitating the process of conversion of properties… is a matter of serious concern as it adversely affects property owners intending to enter into sale transactions… or finalise title in respect of their properties”. The delay is also likely to “impede family settlements and other bona fide transactions”, the court said, asking for a quick decision.Following a summons, DDA vice-chairman Saravanan Kumar submitted that consultation was going on between DDA and Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) and a decision was likely soon. Referring to the newly created Delhi division in the ministry, HC said the matter would “no doubt, require consultation“ among DDA, MoHUA and finance ministry.It directed D Thara, secretary to the capital development department, to hold an urgent meeting with DDA and other officials to communicate the ministry’s decision on conversion charges so that DDA can expeditiously open the portal.Posting the matter for Sept, HC said any further meeting would be held on a day to-day basis and a comprehensive joint report would be placed before it.
