Columbus City Attorney Files Lawsuit Against West Side Landlords Over Drug Use, Crime, and Code Violations
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office has initiated legal action against two West Side landlords accused of fostering dangerous and unlawful conditions across several of their Hilltop neighborhood properties.
The Property Action Team, under Klein’s leadership, filed the lawsuit on October 27 in Franklin County Municipal Court against Vikas Dadlani and Sadhna Hingorani, along with several of their tenants and lessees.
According to court filings, the landlords’ properties have been the scene of chronic code violations, drug activity, violence, and public safety threats — including fights, gunfire, a sexual assault, robberies, and multiple overdoses.
“For too long, these landlords took advantage of tenants,” said City Attorney Zach Klein in an official statement on October 29. “This lawsuit is a step toward restoring safety, improving living conditions, and cleaning up the West Side.”
One of the targeted properties, located at 1885 Sullivant Avenue, was allegedly used as an unlicensed event center without proper zoning or liquor permits. The venue reportedly hosted illegal parties in September and October, which spilled into the streets and involved drug use, fights, and traffic disruptions.
Across from the property, another residential house was found to contain an illegal upstairs apartment powered by a gas generator, posing serious safety concerns.
The lawsuit identifies several of the landlords’ other West Side properties as public nuisances, with ongoing crimes and code violations endangering residents.
“These landlords subjected tenants to deplorable conditions and constant criminal activity,” said Steve Dunbar, Lead Attorney of the Property Action Team. “No one should have to live in such unsafe circumstances.”
The city is asking the court to declare the landlords as public nuisances, shut down the illegal event center, and halt all unlicensed residential use.
Court records show that both landlords reside in an apartment above the event business, and a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for November 5.
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