Legal battle brews over abandoned Perth mansion

A court battle is brewing over an abandoned mansion in the Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove.

The massive home, known locally as the 'Taj Mahal on the Swan', has been left vacant for the past four years following the business collapse of its wealthy husband and wife owners, Pankaj and Radhika Oswal.

The mansion, which now stands as an uninhabitable shell, was estimated to have been worth $70 million when completed.

After years of failing to track the Oswals down, Peppermint Grove council is calling for the wrecking ball.

However, a last minute appeal by lawyers means the parties could be heading to court.

Kennedys Law partner Rebekah Giles told Perth Now that the firm had launched an appeal against the council's demolition order – a move the council had expected.

"We are confident we have a tight case," Shire of Peppermint Grove chief executive John Merrick said.

"The building has been abandoned for four years, it is uninhabitable, dangerous and the Oswals owe over $100,000 in outstanding rates on the property."

He said the Oswals had been "impossible to contact" about the building, leaving the council with no choice but to send the demolition notice last month.

He told Perth Now that he was confident the council would win the case and demolish the property before the end of the year.

Following the demolition, the 6582 sqm land would be auctioned off.

The Oswals first moved to Perth in 2001 from New Delhi. They began work on the mansion in 2007.

In recent years, the abandoned property has been the playground for parkour fans.