A historic bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi, once the first official residence of India’s founding Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, has been sold for approximately Rs 1,100 crore. The property, located at 17 York Road, now called Motilal Nehru Marg, is among the most significant addresses in the national capital.
The current owners, Rajkumari Kakkar and Beena Rani, are reported to be members of a Rajasthani royal family. The bungalow covers 14,973 square metres (about 3.7 acres) with a built-up area of 24,000 square feet. The transaction was completed after negotiations reduced the price from the initial Rs 1,400 crore.
The buyer’s identity remains confidential. Sources indicate that it is a prominent Indian industrialist from the beverage sector. Legal formalities are in the final stages, with a leading law firm carrying out due diligence on the property’s title. A public notice has been issued on behalf of the buyer, inviting any parties with claims to the property to come forward within seven days. If no claims are made, it will be assumed that the property has a clear title.
The significance of the bungalow arises from its historical association with Nehru and its location within the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone (LBZ). This 28-square-kilometre area, designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century, is the central government’s primary residential zone. Most of the roughly 3,000 bungalows in the LBZ are allotted to ministers, judges, and officials, while around 600 remain in private hands, often owned by wealthy families and industrialists.
The combination of location, plot size, and historical value places this property in a category accessible to very few buyers. The sale illustrates a trend in Delhi’s real estate market where properties with historical relevance and government proximity retain high market value.
Transactions in the LBZ involve careful legal procedures. Properties of historical importance are subject to scrutiny to ensure clear title. The engagement of a top law firm in this sale reflects the level of legal oversight required for such transfers.
The sale of the Nehru bungalow also highlights the limited availability of high-value private properties in central Delhi. Ownership in the LBZ provides access to the government precinct, with large land parcels in a location where residential plots are scarce.
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