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Informist, Tuesday, May 26, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Tuesday said that eviction of Delhi Gymkhana Club from the land leased to it by the Centre in 1928 would be done only after giving prior notice and in accordance with law. The high court issued summons to the Land and Development Office under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on a plea by Delhi Gymkhana Club, challenging the move to take back the land for strengthening and securing defence infrastructure.

 

The apprehension of Delhi Gymkhana Club that its governinging body might act hand in glove with the government to give the possession of the leased land is contrary to the Centre's statement that the governing body has already approached it against the eviction, the high court said. All other issues raised by the club would be taken care of at the appropriate stage, it said.

 

Last week, the Land and Development Office under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs wrote to Delhi Gymkhana Club, initiating the "re-entry and resumption of premises" comprising the club. According to clause 4 of the lease deed, the premises can be re-entered, essentially meaning that the government can take back the leased property if it or any part of it is required for a public purpose.

 

Delhi Gymkhana Club has operated from this land for close to 100 years and its 14,000 members include the elite of Delhi comprising political leaders, top businesspersons and members of the bureaucracy, judiciary, and armed forces. The club currently has around 500 employees.

 

The Land and Development Office said that the premises were located in a highly sensitive and strategic area, critically required for strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes. The land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands, it said. 

 

The development office has asked the club to return the land by Jun. 5, failing which "possession shall be taken in accordance with law". Since 2022, the club has been run by a government-appointed general committee, after the National Company Law Tribunal had allowed the government to take over the administration of the club.

 

Thereafter, members of the club, the staff welfare association, and others moved the high court, challenging the government's move. The petitioners argued that the government's eviction order was vague and did not demonstrate a public purpose. There was no prior notice and the action suffered from mala fide, the petitioners said.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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