India orders Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate for national security

The Indian government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to evacuate its premises to meet national security and defense infrastructure requirements.

The move targets one of the city's most elite institutions, located in a highly sensitive area near the Prime Minister’s residence. The eviction signals a prioritization of strategic defense assets over the tenure of historic private clubs in the capital's core.

Deputy Land & Development Officer Suchit Goyal issued the order requiring the club to hand over the 27.3-acre premises ^[2]. The government said there is a need for public purpose development, specifically regarding defense-infrastructure and other national security requirements [1, 2].

To justify the legal basis for the eviction, the government invoked Clause 4 of the lease deed ^[3]. This clause allows for the reclamation of land for public utility and security needs. The order sets a strict deadline for the club to vacate the property by June 5, 2024 [1, 2].

The Delhi Gymkhana Club is situated in a strategic zone that the government deems critical for protection and infrastructure upgrades. While the club is a British-era landmark, the administration said that the land is necessary for current security mandates [1, 3].

Members of the club are expected to seek further clarity from the Land and Development Office regarding the transition. The government has not provided detailed specifics on the exact nature of the defense infrastructure planned for the site, citing the sensitive nature of the location [1, 2].