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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

India orders Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate 27.3-acre land by June 5

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Indian government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its 27.3-acre land by June 5, citing national security and public purpose.
  • The order invokes a clause in the original lease deed, requiring the club to hand over the strategically located premises adjacent to the Prime Minister's residence.
  • This action follows a governance dispute and a National Company Law Tribunal decision allowing the government to nominate directors to the club's committee due to alleged mismanagement.

The Indian government has ordered the prestigious Delhi Gymkhana Club to surrender its sprawling 27.3-acre property in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi by June 5. The order, issued by the Land & Development Office (L&DO), cites the need to strengthen defense infrastructure and public security as the primary reasons for reclaiming the land.

The government's directive invokes a public purpose clause within the original lease deed. The L&DO stated the land is critically required for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects." The premises are situated in a "highly sensitive and strategic area," adjacent to the Prime Minister's residence.

The land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands.

— L&DO orderThe order by the Land & Development Office explains the necessity of reclaiming the Delhi Gymkhana Club land.

This move is the latest development in a long-standing governance dispute. In April 2022, the National Company Law Tribunal permitted the ministry of corporate affairs to appoint directors to the club's general committee, citing mismanagement. The order emphasizes that upon re-entry, the entire plot, including all structures and grounds, will vest absolutely with the President of India.

Failure to comply by the deadline will result in the government taking possession by legal means. The order has also been communicated to the local police to ensure law and order during the handover. The Delhi Gymkhana Club, founded in 1913, is one of India's oldest elite clubs. This action is part of a broader trend of land resumption by the L&DO in central Delhi, following similar actions against other institutions and slum clusters in the area.

Should the club fail to comply by the deadline, possession will be taken in accordance with law, the order sent to the club’s secretary added.

— L&DO orderThe order details the consequences of the Delhi Gymkhana Club not vacating the premises by June 5.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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