Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India Advised U.S. Government on Transfer of ‘American Center’ to House of Abhinandan Lodha
Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India Advised U.S. Government on Transfer of ‘American Center’ to House of Abhinandan Lodha
Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India advised the Government of the United States of America on the transfer of its property, the ‘American Center,’ to the House of the Abhinandan Lodha group, one of the premier real estate developers in India.
The Luthra team provided comprehensive advice to the U.S. Government (represented by the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai) on all aspects of the transaction, including the vendor’s due diligence, tax advisory, the bidding process for the sale, and drafting and negotiations of the bidding memorandum, sale documents, and registration process in Mumbai.
“Built in 1968, the American Center in Mumbai long served as a cornerstone of U.S.-India relations. Over the years, the property housed key institutions, including the American Library, the U.S.-India Educational Foundation, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, and the press and cultural affairs offices. For generations, the American Center played a vital role in fostering U.S.-India people-to-people connections and advancing U.S.-India commercial and cultural ties,” stated Consulate Spokesperson Greg Pardo.
This transaction was magnificently led by Partner Vaibhav Suri and Managing Associate Manjul Mantri. Counsel advising on other aspects of the transaction included Partner Sanjeev Sachdeva and Senior Associate Nikhil Kapoor on the applicability of GST on the transfer and the exemption available to the U.S. Government; Partner Rubal Bansal on the income tax aspects; and Partner Harish Kumar, along with Partner Itee Singhal and Managing Associate
Aman Nijhawan, on the Ministry of External Affairs’ approval. The Lodha team was represented by Jani & Parikh, Advocates and Solicitors, and DSK Legal.
