The battle over the future of the historic Delhi Gymkhana Club reached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, where the Centre assured the court that it would not forcibly take over the club premises despite directing it to vacate the land by June 5.
Appearing before Justice Avneesh Jhingan, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government would follow due legal process before taking possession of the property. He clarified that the Centre had merely provided the club an opportunity to vacate on its own, and there would be no sudden takeover of the premises.
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Court declines interim protection
According to the Hindustan Times, after recording the Centre’s statement, the high court declined to pass any immediate interim order restraining the government from proceeding further. The court observed that the government had undertaken to act strictly in accordance with the law and would issue prior notice before any eviction process.
Justice Jhingan noted that no coercive action was expected immediately and said the matter would proceed through the legal route. The court’s observations came as members associated with the club sought protection against what they termed an illegal attempt to dispossess one of Delhi’s oldest social and sporting institutions.
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Why the Centre wants the land
According to the Hindustan Times, the dispute began after the Land and Development Office under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry issued a notice asking the club to vacate its 27.3-acre premises in Lutyens’ Delhi. The government said the strategically located land was needed for strengthening defence infrastructure and other public security requirements.
Established in 1913, the club occupies prime land in the heart of the capital and has long been associated with diplomats, senior bureaucrats, and business leaders. The Centre invoked a clause in the old lease agreement to justify re-entry into the property.
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Club challenges government action
According to the Hindustan Times, the legal challenge was filed by club member Vijay Khurana and supported by hundreds of members. The petition argued that the government’s action violated constitutional protections since no compensation had been proposed and no opportunity for a hearing was granted before issuing the notice.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the Centre’s move amounted to arbitrary state action. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the club’s last elected body, questioned the legality of the clause used by the government, saying it predated the Constitution and could not override fundamental legal protections.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing in the coming days.
