Delhi HC may take up Gymkhana Club member's petition against eviction notice on July 6
New Delhi, July 4
A petition filed by Delhi Gymkhana Club member Vijay Khurana and the Club's Staff Welfare Association in the Delhi High Court against an eviction notice issued by the Union government to the colonial-era club may come up for hearing on July 6, a lawyer said on Saturday.
The High Court is likely to take up the petition on a day before the deadline for the Club to respond to a show-cause notice issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The notice issued to the Club management for eviction said that "it has been determined that the said premises, located in a highly sensitive and strategic area of Delhi, are critically required for the strengthening and securing of Defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes".
The notice signed by Deputy Land and Development Officer Suchit Goyal was issued to the Club on May 22, informing its General Committee/Secretary that the present 27.3-acre premises located at 2, Safdarjung Road - close to the official Prime Minister's Residence on 7, Lok Kalyan Marg - shall be taken over by the government.
On May 26, the High Court had refused to grant interim relief to the Delhi Gymkhana Club in its challenge against the Centre's move directing the Club to vacate its premises, after the Union government assured the Court that no possession would be taken except in accordance with law.
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said in its notice - which carried the subject line "Re-entry and resumption of premises" - that the Club land is being reclaimed as the land is essential to fulfil "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands".
The notice addressed to the Club secretary said, "You are directed to hand over peaceful possession of the premises to the representatives of this office on the aforesaid date. In the event of non-compliance, possession shall be taken in accordance with law."
The notice referred to Clause 4 of the lease deed, noting that the lessor has the authority to re-enter the premises if the land is required for a public purpose. Exercising those powers, the President of India, acting through the L&DO, has determined the lease and ordered immediate re-entry of the property.
The notice said that the entire land parcel, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings standing on it, shall vest absolutely with the President through the Land & Development Office.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club is one of India's oldest and most prestigious elite social institutions. Established in July 1913, it has iconic Lutyens-designed main buildings that serve as a central gathering hub for top bureaucrats, diplomats, and military officials.
The Club was built at its current address in the early 1930s. The contract for the building was awarded to architect Robert T. Russell, whose other two buildings became landmarks in the city: Connaught Place and the Commander-in-Chief's residence, later known as the Teen Murti House, the residence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
— IANS
Reader Comments
But wait - the club has been there since British times, before most of the defence establishments came up around it. If the government wants land, they should compensate properly. These are heritage buildings designed by Robert Russell who also built Connaught Place. We can't just bulldoze history for every new security need. There must be a middle ground.
The notice says the land is needed for "strengthening defence infrastructure" - that's a perfectly valid reason. But why does the government always go after the clubs and not the encroachments on public land elsewhere? At least this is a legitimate lease, unlike all those illegal buildings. Process should be fair.
I've been to Gymkhana Club once as a guest - beautiful place, but honestly, it's a playground for the elite. Bureaucrats, diplomats, military officials... they can meet elsewhere. If the government says it's for national security, let them have it. But the employees - the staff welfare association needs protection. 500+ families depend on that club for their livelihood. That's the real issue nobody's talking about.
As an expat living in Delhi for 5 years, this seems like a reasonable government action. The lease terms clearly allow re-entry for public purpose. But I'm concerned about the heritage aspect - those Lutyens buildings are architectural treasures. Perhaps the government should preserve the main structure while using the rest of the 27 acres for security purposes.
The club's petition mentions 500 staff members who will lose their jobs. That's the human cost here. These aren't the elite members sipping whiskey - they're the waiters
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