The members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club and its employees’ association have approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre’s show-cause notice proposing their eviction from the 27.3-acre premises in Lutyens’ Delhi.
The applications have been moved in two pending suits, one by club member Vijay Khurana and another by the club’s staff welfare association, in the ongoing litigation over the Union government’s decision to resume possession of the club’s land.
On May 22, the Land and Development Office (L&DO) directed the historic club to hand over the property by June 5, stating that the land was required for strengthening defence infrastructure and other public purposes.
On May 26, the Centre informed the High Court that it would not take forcible possession of the property by the June 5 deadline despite maintaining that the land was needed for defence-related requirements.
Subsequently, on June 29, the Estate Officer of the L&DO issued a show-cause notice asking the club and all its occupants to explain why eviction proceedings should not be initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
The notice demanded replies to be filed by July 7, when the parties have also been asked to appear for a personal hearing at 2.30 p.m.
In his pending suit, Mr. Khurana has questioned the legality of the government’s decision to terminate the club’s nearly century-old perpetual lease.
He has argued that the Central government’s claims, which include arguments that the premises were required to secure and strengthen defence infrastructure, are “vague and unsupported”, and has alleged that the action amounts to an attempt to evict the club without following the due legal process.
Backed by members
According to the pleadings, Mr. Khurana’s challenge has the backing of more than 500 members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club.
Justice Avneesh Jhingan is scheduled to hear the pleas on July 6.
Published – July 05, 2026 12:44 am IST
