NEW DELHI: The Delhi Gymkhana Club on Monday moved the Delhi High Court against a notice issued by the Centre, directing it to vacate its premises. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the club, mentioned the matter before the court of Justice Avneesh Jhingan and sought an urgent hearing. Subsequently, the court ordered that the matter be heard tomorrow, May 26.
The petition states that the Central government has issued a notice to the Gymkhana Club, located on 2, Safdarjung Road in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, directing it to vacate its premises, spanning 27.3 acres, by June 5, for “public security purposes”. The petition has been filed by Vijay Khurana on behalf of the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The plea further notes that on May 22, the Land and Development Office issued the order for the Gymkhana Club to vacate its premises.
The Central government has stated that the Gymkhana Club is situated in close proximity to the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, and other critical security installations. The government has asserted that the land currently occupied by the Gymkhana Club is required to further strengthen defense capabilities and other vital infrastructure.
The petition was filed days after the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, through the Land and Development Office (L&DO), issued an eviction notice to the club management, directing it to hand over possession of the premises. The notice, issued on May 22 by Deputy Land and Development Officer Suchit Goyal, said the premises were “critically required for the strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes”.
The communication issued by the Centre said the land was essential to fulfil “urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands”.
Referring to Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, the notice stated that the lessor had the authority to re-enter the premises if the land was required for a public purpose. “Exercising those powers, the President of India, acting through the Land and Development Office, has determined the lease and ordered immediate re-entry of the property,” the notice said.
The government further stated that the entire land parcel, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings standing on it, would vest absolutely with the President through the L&DO.
Established in 1913 during the colonial era, the Delhi Gymkhana Club is regarded as one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious social institutions and has long served as a hub for senior bureaucrats, diplomats, military officials and influential citizens.
Employees of the Delhi Gymkhana Club have voiced concerns over being left jobless after the government sent an eviction notice to the colonial-era institution. The May 22 order claims the 27 acres on which the club is built falls in a “highly sensitive and strategic zone” and that the government needs this land “critically… for urgent institutional and governance-related needs”.
Union chief Nandan Negi said: “Employees have been calling continuously… asking where they will go. As soon as we got the news, staff were in shock… ‘what will happen to our families’?”
Many of us have worked here for over three decades… some have been working here for 15 years, some for 20. We do not know how we will support our families,” one worker said.
“We want to ask the government… we are 500 employees and families. We didn’t get any notice… they didn’t tell us anything,” another said. “They only came and told us the club will be shut down on June 5… we have been working here for the past 35-40 years.”
In its order, the Land and Development Office – under the Housing Ministry – had said it requires the land on which the club stands for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”.
