Delhi Gymkhana members press concerns as eviction hearing shifts to September

Delhi Gymkhana Club members met Land and Development Office officials after the Centre moved to evict the club from its premises. With court and estate officer hearings lined up in September, the lease termination battle is set to intensify.Delhi Gymkhana Club. (Photo: Getty)Members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club on Thursday met officials of the Land and Development Office and raised concerns over the proposed eviction of the club from its premises after the Centre decided to terminate its perpetual lease. During proceedings before the estate officer, the matter was adjourned, and the next hearing was fixed for the second week of September, club members said.The hearing came after the Centre opposed a plea in the Delhi High Court earlier this week seeking a stay on the eviction process. The high court posted the matter for further hearing on September 3. It also indicated that the Centre's assurance on adjournment of the proceedings before the estate officer would continue until then.The dispute began with the Centre's May 22 order terminating the Gymkhana Club's perpetual lease and asking it to hand over the 27.3-acre property, citing the need to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure. The Land and Development Office later issued a show-cause notice on June 29 under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, asking the club and other occupants to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against them.The notice had initially asked them to file their response and appear before the estate officer on July 7. Club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Staff Welfare Association have challenged the termination of the lease in the Delhi High Court, saying the move is arbitrary and that due process has not been followed. They have also sought protection against any coercive action while the matter is being decided. The Centre has told the high court that the eviction proceedings are being carried out in line with the Public Premises Act and that the estate officer is competent to continue with the matter. For now, the case remains before both the high court and the estate officer, with hearings due in September.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Jul 30, 2026 23:12 IST