In Brief
Chandro Devi, the widow of an army personnel, and other ex-servicemen challenged the non-renewal of shop leases in defence housing colonies after 5 years under a 2007 policy. The shops had been allocated to rehabilitate them after war injuries or service. Although initially leases could be renewed annually, the 2007 policy capped the lease period at 5 years, with opportunity to reapply after 3 years. The Supreme Court upheld the policy, finding no vested right to perpetual renewal and no arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. The policy reasonably balanced the needs of existing leaseholders with those awaiting allocation. The appeal was dismissed."
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