HC rejects jockey association’s plea against Delhi Race Club eviction

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition by the Jockey Association of India challenging the eviction order issued against the Delhi Race Club from its 53-acre premises in Lutyens’ Delhi.

Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that the association’s petition was not maintainable, noting that the Delhi Race Club, the affected party, had already challenged the eviction order.

Opposing the petition, counsel for the Union government, Ashish Dixit, argued that the association had no locus to challenge the order as it was not a party to the lease agreement between the club and the government for the land.

The Estate Officer, acting under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, had on August 11 ordered the club to vacate the entire premises within 15 days.

The Jockey Association challenged the order, stating that the eviction would affect the employment and livelihoods of jockeys, trainers, stable hands and other members associated with horse racing.

The association contended that the Delhi Race Club was the only facility in north India with specialised infrastructure for thoroughbred horse racing, stabling, training and exercise. It argued that the authorities’ decision to take over the premises was arbitrary and contrary to law.

The plea stated that the eviction order, without providing an alternative facility, would leave jockeys with no place to stable, train or exercise their horses, affecting their rights under Articles 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution.

It also questioned the Centre’s assertion that the land was required for a “public purpose”, arguing that the authorities had not disclosed the purpose or explained how the existing racing and equestrian activities would be accommodated.

“The Impugned Order would effectively destroy an existing sporting institution while serving no identified or demonstrated public purpose,” the plea stated.

The Centre has maintained that the 1926 lease deed with the club, covering an 84.48-acre plot, was not perpetual and expired on December 31, 1994.