The Delhi Gymkhana Club has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to challenge a government order requiring it to vacate its premises [1].
The legal battle centers on a prime piece of real estate in Lutyens' Delhi, where the central government is prioritizing national security over private club leases. The outcome will determine if the club can maintain its presence on Safdarjung Road or be forced to relocate.
On May 22, 2024, the central government issued an order demanding the club vacate its 27.3-acre property [1, 2]. The government set a deadline for the eviction for June 5, 2024 [2]. This order was issued by the Land and Development Office, which said there is a critical need for the land to support defense infrastructure and public security [2].
To justify the move, officials invoked Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed [2]. This specific clause allows the government to reclaim land under certain conditions of public necessity. The club has since pleaded for a status quo to prevent the immediate handover of the site [2].
Financial stakes are high for the organization. Reports indicate the club has collected 44 crore rupees [3]. The loss of the 27.3-acre site would represent a significant blow to the institution's operational capacity, and value [1].
The club sought a hearing in the Delhi High Court to contest the validity of the eviction order [1]. The legal team for the club is challenging the government's timeline and the application of the lease clause to secure the premises.
“The central government ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its 27.3‑acre premises by 5 June.”
This dispute highlights the tension between long-standing land leases in Lutyens' Delhi and the government's expanding requirements for security and defense infrastructure. If the court upholds the eviction, it may set a precedent for the government to reclaim other perpetual leases in the high-security zone of the national capital.
