Delhi Gymkhana Club moves High Court against Centre’s eviction order

The Delhi Gymkhana Club has moved the High Court against the Union government’s order directing it to hand over its 27.3-acre premises by June 5, Live Law reported on Monday.

The matter was mentioned before Justice Avneesh Jhingan on Monday by advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who sought an urgent hearing. The court agreed to hear the case on Tuesday.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club is one of the national capital’s oldest and most exclusive social and sporting clubs, frequented by diplomats, bureaucrats and military officers, amongst others.

On Friday, the Land and Development Office directed the club to vacate and hand over the premises in central Delhi, saying that it was required for “strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure”, governance facilities and other “vital public security purposes”.

The department, which functions under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said the land, located near the prime minister’s official residence and other high-security installations, had originally been leased for maintaining a social and sporting club.

Invoking clause 4 of the lease deed, which allows the lessor to re-enter the premises if the land is required for a public purpose, the government stated that when such action is taken, the entire plot, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings, would vest in the President of...

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