Delhi HC Steps In as Gymkhana Club Challenges Eviction Notice
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New Delhi, July 06: The Delhi High Court sought the Centre's response to applications filed by members and staff of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging a show-cause notice proposing their eviction from the club's 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.
Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the Centre on the applications, which seek a stay on the eviction proceedings. The court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure, is postponed until after the High Court hears the matter on July 28.
Appearing for the Centre, Mehta said the government would file its response to the applications. Referring to the hearing before the Estate Officer, he said the applicants could seek an adjournment there.
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Justice Jhingan, however, requested the Centre to ensure that the proceedings are deferred beyond the next date of hearing before the High Court.
The applications have been filed by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association in their pending challenge to the Land and Development Office's (L&DO) May 22 order terminating the club's perpetual lease.
The L&DO had directed the colonial-era club to hand over possession of the land by June 5, stating that the property was required to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure.
On June 29, the L&DO, under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, issued a show-cause notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The notice asked the club to explain why an eviction order should not be passed.
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The notice, issued by Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh, directed the club and all other occupants of the premises to submit their replies by July 7 and appear for a personal hearing at 2:30 pm on the same day.
The latest development comes more than a month after the Centre informed the Delhi High Court on May 26 that it would not take forcible possession of the property by June 5, even though it maintained that the land was needed for defence purposes.