The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Central government's stand on a plea filed by members of the Gymkhana club challenging a show-cause notice for eviction from the premises.
Notice Details
The notice, issued by Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh, directed the club and all persons concerned occupying the premises to submit their response by July 7 and appear for a personal hearing on the same day at 2:30 pm. The notice was issued under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
Court Proceedings
A bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice to the Centre and sought its reply by July 10. The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 11. The petitioners, represented by senior advocate, argued that the notice was arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice as it did not provide sufficient time to respond.
Petitioners' Arguments
The petitioners claimed that the club has been in existence for over a century and has been paying rent regularly. They contended that the eviction proceedings were initiated without any prior consultation or show-cause notice regarding the alleged violation of lease terms. According to the petition, the club has 1,200 members, many of whom are former bureaucrats and military officers.
Impact and Next Steps
The court's intervention comes as a relief to the club members, who face the prospect of eviction from the premises located in central Delhi. The Centre is expected to file its response before the next hearing, which will determine the course of action.
