The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the central government to ensure that administrative eviction proceedings against the Delhi Gymkhana Club are deferred until late July, while seeking the Centre’s response to petitions challenging the proposed takeover of the prime Safdarjung Road property.
Justice Avneesh Jhingan instructed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that a scheduled eviction hearing before an estate officer on Tuesday is postponed until after the court’s next hearing on July 28. The High Court issued notices to the Union government on applications seeking a stay on the eviction process.
Eviction Notice Challenged By Club Members And Staff
The legal challenge was mounted by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association. Their pleas are part of an ongoing lawsuit contesting a May 22 order by the Land and Development Office, which terminated the club’s perpetual lease deed.
The Land and Development Office, which functions under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, had ordered the colonial-era club to vacate and hand over its 27.3-acre premises by June 5. The government has stated that the land is required to strengthen and secure national defence infrastructure.
Show-Cause Notice Issued Under Public Premises Act
Following the termination order, Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh issued a show-cause notice to the club on June 29. The notice asked the management to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against them under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1971.
The directive ordered the club and all occupants to submit their responses and appear for a personal hearing at 2:30 p.m. on July 7.
Court Seeks Deferral Of Administrative Hearing
During Monday’s court session, Solicitor General Mehta stated that the Centre would file its formal reply to the stay applications. He suggested that the petitioners could directly request an adjournment during the scheduled Tuesday hearing before the estate officer.
However, Justice Jhingan asked the law officer to personally ensure that the estate officer’s proceedings are adjourned beyond the next scheduled court date of July 28.
The High Court’s intervention follows an earlier statement made by the Centre on May 26. At that time, government counsel assured the court that the authorities would not take forceful possession of the property by the initial June 5 deadline, promising instead to proceed in accordance with established legal processes.
