Centre issues show cause notice to Delhi Gymkhana Club in eviction proceedings
NEW DELHI: The central government has stepped up its efforts to evict the Delhi Gymkhana Club from its 27.3-acre premises at Safdarjung Road in New Delhi, saying the land is needed for defence infrastructure, public security, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects. As part of the process, the Estate Officer has issued a show cause notice asking the Club to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against it.The Estate Officer has directed the Delhi Gymkhana Club to submit its reply by July 7, explaining why it should not be evicted under the provisions of the Public Premises Act.The notice, issued through the Land and Development Office (L&DO), has been served under Section 4(1) read with Section 4(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971. It follows the Union government’s plea that the Club has become an unauthorised occupant of the property at 2, Safdarjung Road after the termination of its perpetual lease.According to the notice, the Club’s continued occupation of the land after the government resumed possession for a public purpose amounts to “unauthorized occupation” under Section 2(g) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.The government has maintained that the President of India exercised powers under Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, which allows the lessor to resume the property if it is required for a public purpose. It has argued that once the lease was terminated and the land resumed, the Club no longer had any legal right to remain in possession.The Club has also been asked to appear before the Estate Officer on July 7, 2026, at 2.30 pm through its office-bearers or an authorised representative. The representative has been instructed to answer all material questions related to the proceedings and produce any documentary or oral evidence that the Club wishes to rely on in its defence.The notice warns that if the Club fails to appear or does not file its response, the matter may be decided ex parte and appropriate eviction orders may be passed without hearing its side.The show cause notice comes after the Union government approached the Estate Officer seeking the Club’s eviction under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971. The government has contended that the 27.3-acre property is valuable public land located in a strategically sensitive area of the national capital and is required for strengthening defence infrastructure, public security, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects.In its plea, the government said the lease was terminated through a notice dated May 22, 2026, and the Club was asked to hand over peaceful possession of the premises by June 5, 2026. It has alleged that despite the notice, the Club did not vacate the property and has continued to occupy the land, making it liable for eviction under the Public Premises Act.
