Delhi High Court seeks centre’s response on plea against Delhi Gymkhana Club eviction Notice
The Delhi High Court sought the Centre’s response to petitions filed by members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging a show-cause notice issued for their eviction from the club’s 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.
Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the Union government on applications seeking a stay on the eviction proceedings. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing before the Estate Officer, scheduled for July 7, is deferred until after the next hearing in the High Court on July 28.
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Mehta informed the court that the government would file its response to the applications. He also said the petitioners could seek an adjournment before the Estate Officer. The court, however, requested the Centre to ensure that the proceedings before the Estate Officer are postponed beyond the next High Court hearing.
The petitions have been filed by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association. They are part of an ongoing legal challenge to the Land and Development Office’s (L&DO) order dated May 22, which terminated the club’s perpetual lease and directed it to hand over possession of the land by June 5.
The Union government has stated that the land is required for strengthening and securing defence infrastructure. On June 29, the L&DO issued a fresh show-cause notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, asking the club to explain why eviction proceedings should not be initiated.
The notice directed the Delhi Gymkhana Club and all occupants of the premises to submit their replies by July 7 and appear before the Estate Officer for a personal hearing on the same day.
Earlier, on May 26, the Centre had assured the Delhi High Court that it would not take forcible possession of the property and would proceed strictly in accordance with the legal process. The matter will now be heard by the High Court on July 28.