The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to hand over two south Mumbai flats to their owner, a 93-year-old woman, putting an end to a property dispute that dragged on for eight decades.

The flats are situated on the first floor of Ruby Mansion in south Mumbai and measure 500 sq ft and 600 sq ft. On March 28, 1942, the building was requisitioned under the then Defence of India Act, which allowed the British rulers of the time to take possession of private properties.