Thus, what was till only a day ago a Rs 250-crore property in the prime Salisbury Park area has suddenly almost doubled both in terms of its value at Rs 450 crore. According to industry watchers, the city has not witnessed a land dispute with the stakes going so high in recent times.

The city builder, who did not wish his name to be disclosed, said, “We wanted to settle the matter amicably as it involved the church and people who have been staying there for generations. Till date they have not agreed to meet us. We are now going ahead with legal proceedings against the IFA.”

The two parties have been going hammer and tongs against each other - by issuing public notices in newspapers claiming ownership of the disputed land. The first notice issued by the builder’s advocate on June 27, 2007, said: “ the SDA is the owner of only 22 acres and 18 gunthas which was purchased by them by way of sale deed on March 28, 1930 from Dhole family which is executed and balance property of 45 acres and 35 gunthas are still unsold.”

The builder had cautioned the public “not to deal with any person/party in respect of this said remaining property as they had registered documents.”

This led to a ‘Rejoinder to Public Notice’ by the advocate of SDA on July 2, 2007. “The Dhole family has no right, title or interest in any portion of the above lands and in case they have executed any documents in favour of the client. The Dhole family have done so without any right whatsoever in the above lands. Our client would be initiating necessary legal proceedings against the Dhole family and the client.”

When chairman of IFA Ronn Watt was contacted regarding the builders firm staking claim to 45 acres of the Salisbury Park property, he said: “Let them prove it to us.” The builder had also written to Robery E Kyte, the legal advisor of SDA World to which he got a reply that he should contact Watt. Prior to the notice, the builder said that the Dhole family had filed an application before the Pune district collector challenging the entry of the names of the IFA in the land records.