The sub-committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has confirmed that property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia is the rightful owner of Plot 24, Kampala Road.
The Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB) had in July 2019 told the probe sub-committee chaired by Makindye East MP Ibrahim Kasozi that tycoon Sudhir’s property was never repossessed by the original proprietors before selling it to him.
But, in its report to Parliament, the probe sub-committee listed the property tycoon as the rightful owner of the property having floored DAPCB in court in 2012.
Sudhir’s case is one of the 13 cases the DAPCB has lost out of the 124 that were listed as the total number of cases involving the entity that controls the properties left behind by Asians who were expelled by President Idi Amin in 1972. The DAPCB has so far won 10 cases whereas 99 cases remain unconcluded.
By this report therefore, Parliament confirms that it cannot carry out any investigations or take a decision on this property and several others that have been pronounced on by Court or are still in Court.
Sudhir was aware of this legal position when he protested Parliament’s investigation by writing to the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga in 14th August, 2019 letter.
“We have followed part of the ongoing COSASE inquiry regarding Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board through televised and print media. A property that belongs to Meera Investments Limited has been mentioned as part of the inquiry” reads part of Sudhir’s letter then.
Sudhir purchased the property in 1995 and decided to seek judicial review in the High Court following claims over it by the Custodian Board.
Sudhir wondered why COSASE was inquiring into a matter and ownership decided upon by the High Court in 2012.
“We are seeking clarification and guidance from you whether Parliament can inquire into a matter where a decision of Court has been made or where a matter is in Court. Then whether matters in Court come to an end, parties can come to Parliament for another decision,” read part of the letter.
However, Sudhir would later appear before the probe sub-committee on 30th June 2020 to iron out the issues raised in the claims by the DAPCB.
Accompanied by his lawyers, Sudhir submitted files concerning his ownership of all the properties that were under probe and the MPs did not raise any queries as they promised to review the documents before writing their report.
During that meeting, DAPCB Executive Secretary George Willian Bizibu tried to drag the tycoon further on the ownership of Plot 24 Kampala Road but Sudhir revealed that he has all documentation for the property which he bought from Mohammad Alibhai, Mustapha Alibhai on behalf of their family.