NEW DELHI: The Delhi Gymkhana Club and its Staff Welfare Association have moved the Delhi high court against the government’s decision to initiate proceedings to evict them from the club’s premises at 2, Safdarjung Road in Lutyens’ Delhi, a VIP zone.The matter is listed before Justice Avneesh Jhingan on July 6.The petitions come after the Centre, through the Estate Officer under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, initiated eviction proceedings following the termination of the club’s perpetual lease, alleging that it had become an “unauthorised occupant.”The Estate Officer recently issued a show-cause notice asking the club to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against it. It has been directed to file its response by July 7 and appear before the Estate Officer the same day.According to the notice, issued through the Land & Development Office (L&DO), the club’s continued occupation of the 27.3-acre property after the lease was terminated amounts to “unauthorised occupation” under the Public Premises Act.The Centre has argued that President Droupadi Murmu exercised powers under Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, which allows the government to reclaim the land for a public purpose. It contends that once the lease was terminated, the club lost its legal right to remain in possession.In its plaint before the Estate Officer, the government has sought the club’s eviction, claiming the property is strategically located and required for defence infrastructure, public security, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects.The Centre further stated that after terminating the lease through a notice dated May 22, it directed the Gymkhana Club to vacate the premises by June 5. It alleged that the club failed to do so, prompting the eviction proceedings.(With ANI inputs)
