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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Centre begins fresh eviction process against Delhi Gymkhana Club

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The Indian government has started a new eviction process against the Delhi Gymkhana Club, issuing a show-cause notice.
  • The government claims the club is in unauthorized occupation after its lease ended on May 22 and the land is needed for public purposes.
  • The club plans to challenge the notice, while the government reiterates the land is required for defense infrastructure and public interest projects.

The Indian government has initiated fresh eviction proceedings against the historic Delhi Gymkhana Club, issuing a show-cause notice under the Public Premises Act. This move comes just a month after the government assured the Delhi High Court that any eviction would follow due process and prior notice.

The government says the lease ended on May 22 and the club is in unauthorised occupation, citing public purpose and governance infrastructure needs.

— Government OfficialsExplaining the basis for the eviction proceedings against Delhi Gymkhana Club.

The Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, through the Land and Development Office (L&DO), contends that the club's lease expired on May 22, rendering its continued occupation unauthorized. The government asserts the land is required for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects," including defense infrastructure and public security.

In the latest notice, issued on June 29, the club has been asked to appear before the estate officer by July 7 to explain why eviction proceedings should not continue. The notice states that the government exercised its right of re-entry after the lease termination, and failure to respond could lead to an ex parte decision.

Since the lease stood terminated on May 22 and the government had exercised its right of re-entry under Clause 4, the club’s continued occupation now amounts to “unauthorised occupation” under Section 2(g) of the Public Premises Act.

— Eviction NoticeDetailing the legal grounds for the eviction.

However, a member of the club's legal team indicated that the notice would be challenged in the high court. Previously, the club had approached the Delhi High Court after receiving an initial notice to vacate by June 5. The court had declined to stay the notice, provided the Centre adhered to legal procedures. The controversy has also involved the adjacent Jaipur Polo Ground, raising broader concerns about the use of open spaces in Lutyens' Delhi.

What are you going to do with all these heritage structures? … Make 20-storey buildings?... All of us will suffocate and die.

— Justice Neena Bansal KrishnaExpressing concern over the shrinking green spaces in Delhi during a related hearing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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