India's Centre told the Supreme Court it will not forcibly vacate the Delhi Gymkhana Club and will follow legal procedures for land possession [1].
The government's commitment to a lawful process is significant as it addresses the tension between state land ownership claims and the operational stability of a prominent social institution in the capital.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said the government does not intend to use force to remove the club's occupants [1]. The dispute centers on the ownership of the premises, which the government deems to be under state control [1].
Mehta said that the transition of the property will occur through established legal channels rather than abrupt eviction [1]. "The possession will be taken as per law," Mehta said [1].
This assurance comes as the Supreme Court reviews the conditions under which the land is held. The government maintains that it is entitled to the property, but the legal framework governing such evictions requires specific adherence to due process to avoid civil unrest or judicial overreach [1].
The court is now weighing the government's timeline and the legal mechanisms it intends to use to regain control of the site [1].
“"The possession will be taken as per law."”
This development indicates that while the Indian government is determined to reclaim land it considers state-owned, it is prioritizing judicial legitimacy over rapid enforcement. By explicitly ruling out forced eviction in court, the Centre aims to mitigate potential legal challenges and public backlash associated with the displacement of a high-profile club.
