Members and employees of the Delhi Gymkhana Club have approached the Delhi High Court to contest a show-cause notice from the central government that seeks their removal from the club’s Safdarjung Road premises. The filings request a stay on the notice and are scheduled for hearing before Justice Avneesh Jhingan on July 6.
These applications form part of an ongoing case that followed a May 22 directive from the Land and Development Office. That order required the historic club to vacate its land by June 5 to allow for improved defence infrastructure. The challenge was filed by member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association.
On June 29 the Land and Development Office, under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, issued the show-cause notice. Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh asked why an eviction order should not be issued under the Public Premises Act of 1971. The club and all occupants were told to reply by July 7 and attend a personal hearing that day at 2.30 pm.
More than a month earlier, on May 26, the Centre informed the High Court it would not seize the 27.3-acre site by force on June 5, although it maintained the land was needed for defence purposes.
In his petition Khurana described the stated reasons of defence and security as vague and called the action an attempt at forced eviction without due process. The filing is backed by more than 500 club members.
The dispute now focuses on the government’s effort to reclaim the land and the legal response from members and staff, with the court due to consider a stay on July 6.
