In a decision that ends a decade‑long dispute, Gujarat has granted cricketer‑turned‑politician Yusuf Pathan a 500‑sq‑m parcel adjacent to his Vadodara home. The parcel, part of a 1,000‑sq‑m plot that has been at the center of legal and administrative wrangling since 2012, will be transferred under a special welfare scheme for distinguished international sportspersons. State revenue officials said the move follows a new executive framework approved last month.
Pathan first sought a 99‑year lease on the land in 2012, citing security concerns tied to his status as an international cricketer. After the Vadodara Municipal Corporation — run by the BJP — issued an encroachment notice following his 2024 Lok Sabha win on a Trinamool ticket, he challenged the notice in the High Court. The court later ruled against his occupation, prompting Pathan to withdraw pending appeals and accept the administrative settlement.
The government will hand over half the plot to Pathan at no cost, while he will pay ₹10 crore for the remaining 500‑sq‑m. The payment aligns with institutional formulas set under sports promotion guidelines that allow direct settlements outside public auctions.
Pathan's switch to the NDA, after rebelling with 20 Trinamool MPs and joining the small NCPI, has drawn scrutiny from political observers. Analysts suggest the timing of the land grant coincides with his recent rise in the Parliament, reflecting how shifting political alliances can influence administrative decisions. The Gujarat government maintains the grant is a merit‑based recognition of Pathan's contribution to Indian cricket.
Yusuf and his brother Irfan, along with their families, have lived in the Vadodara house since 2012, often citing security risks. The land, located in Tandalja locality, is now poised to become a permanent extension of their property, easing long‑standing concerns for the family.
State revenue and municipal departments will oversee the formal transfer, with the first handover scheduled for the end of September. The government has not released a specific date, but officials said the process should conclude within the next few weeks.