The central government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its 27.3-acre [1] premises in Lutyens' Delhi by June 5, 2024 [2].
The directive targets land located at 2 Safdarjung Road, an area the government classifies as highly sensitive and strategic [3]. Reclaiming this prime real estate for public use represents a significant move by the Land & Development Office to consolidate control over the capital's most secure zone.
According to the government, the directive to vacate was issued on May 22, 2024 [4]. The order requires the club to hand over the property by the June 5 deadline [2]. This timeline gives the institution less than three weeks to relocate its operations and clear the expansive grounds.
In response, the Delhi Gymkhana Club has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking legal relief. The club is represented by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. A court hearing regarding the matter is scheduled for May 26, 2024 [5].
The dispute centers on the land's classification and the government's authority to reclaim it. The Land & Development Office, through Deputy Land & Development Officer Suchit Goyal, issued the order to ensure the area remains under strategic oversight [3].
Club members said they will write to the Land & Development Office to seek further clarity on the order. The outcome of the upcoming High Court hearing will determine if the June 5 deadline remains in effect or if the club receives a stay of execution to remain on the property.
“The government has issued a directive ordering the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its 27.3‑acre premises by June 5.”
This legal battle highlights the tension between established private institutions and the Indian government's efforts to tighten security and control over Lutyens' Delhi. Because the area is home to embassies and top government offices, the reclamation of such a large land parcel underscores a strategic priority to prioritize state security and public utility over long-standing club leases.
