The Centre has launched eviction proceedings against the Delhi Gymkhana Club, declaring its continued occupation of the Safdarjung Road premises after lease expiry as unauthorised possession of government land required for defence infrastructure and other public purposes.
Eviction Notice Issued Under Public Premises Act
An eviction notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, has directed the club's representative to appear before the Land and Development Office (L&DO) for a hearing on July 7. The club's lease expired on May 22, and the government has treated its ongoing occupation as unauthorised since that date.
The notice states: “Despite the lawful determination of the lease and being called upon to hand over possession, the respondent failed to vacate the premises and continues to occupy them. Valuable government land situated in the National Capital cannot be permitted to remain under unauthorised occupation, contrary to the government’s decision and the larger public interest.”
Government Cites Defence and Public Interest
On May 22, the L&DO informed the club that the 27.3-acre property was “critically required for strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes.” The land is also needed for urgent institutional requirements, governance infrastructure, and public interest projects, along with the resumption of adjoining government land. The government ordered the club to hand over possession by June 5, but the club failed to comply.
The government maintains that the premises are “valuable public property vested in the Centre” and that it is obligated to regulate, protect, and utilise the property in accordance with public interest. The notice also invokes lease deed provisions empowering the government, as lessor, to resume and re-enter the property if required for a public purpose.
Historical Background and Legal Challenge
The land was originally leased in 1928 for the Imperial Gymkhana Club and continued as the Delhi Gymkhana Club after Independence. Following the government's eviction direction, club members approached the Delhi High Court, which did not grant a stay on the government's decision. During proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Centre would proceed in accordance with legal procedure.
The Tribune reached out to the L&DO for official comment but received no response. The hearing on July 7 will determine the next steps in the eviction process.
