Antilia, the opulent residence of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s wealthiest individual, and his spouse Nita Ambani, ranks among the priciest private homes globally, with an estimated value of Rs 15,000 crore (approximately USD 1.74 billion). Notably, the site of Ambani’s impressive 27-story structure was formerly owned by an orphanage, and the transaction surrounding this land has been embroiled in controversy for nearly two decades since the chairman of Reliance Industries acquired it in 2005.
Antilia was constructed on the site of the Currimbhoy Ebrahim Yateemkhana, an orphanage established in 1895 by the affluent businessman Sir Fazalbhoy Currimbhoy Ebrahim for the orphans and underprivileged children of the Khoja Muslim community.
Over the years, the Currimbhoy orphanage was placed under the administration of the Maharashtra state Wakf board, which obtained authorization to sell it to Muffin-Antilia Commercial Private Limited, owned by Mukesh Ambani, in 2002.
Regarding the acquisition of the Antilia land, reports indicate that Mukesh Ambani purchased the property for only $2.5 million, despite its market valuation of $18 million. Subsequently, the Ambani family requested approval to construct their opulent residence on the site, with the building plan receiving endorsement from the BMC in 2003, and construction commencing in 2006.
A recent affidavit submitted to the Bombay High Court alleges that the luxurious mansion was constructed on land that was unlawfully sold to Mukesh Ambani in 2005. According to a report by Livelaw, the affidavit, presented by Sandesh C Tadvi, who serves as the joint secretary to the Minority Development Department and the acting CEO of the Maharashtra State Board of Wakfs, asserts that a ‘mischief’ occurred when the then chairman and CEO approved the sale of the orphanage land to Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, on March 9, 2025.
Previously, a bench of the Bombay High Court, led by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, had instructed the State Board of Wakfs on July 21, 2017, to clarify their position regarding the challenge to the Charity Commissioner’s authorization of the sale of the orphanage land.
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