India, May 5 -- The Bombay High Court has ruled that conveyance granted to housing societies comprising multiple buildings must include surrounding land and open spaces that are appurtenant, necessary, or incidental to the beneficial enjoyment of the property, and not just "the footprint beneath columns and staircases."

The court was hearing a petition filed by Rashesh Cooperative Housing Society in Bhayandar West, challenging an order of the District Deputy Registrar (DDR), Cooperative Societies, Thane, Dr Kishore Mande, which rejected its claim for deemed conveyance of common amenities and an undivided share in open spaces.

In October 2023, the DDR had granted deemed conveyance to the society, but limited it to the building's plinth (...