Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Court Denies Delhi Race Club Stay Over Expired Lease
The Delhi Race Club asked a court to stop an eviction order for now.
The court refused to pause the order.
It said the club’s lease ended in 1994.
The court found no document showing that the lease was renewed after that.
The club said it had continued paying rent.
The judge said paying rent alone does not renew an expired lease.
The court also said the club had enough chances to respond during the eviction case.
The club had claimed it was not given government documents, but the court rejected that argument.
A Delhi court dismissed the Delhi Race Club’s request to pause an eviction order.
The eviction order was issued by an Estate Officer on August 11 under the Public Premises Act.
The court said the club’s lease had expired in 1994 and was not documented as renewed afterward.
The club argued that continued rent payments prevented it from being considered an unauthorised occupant.
The court said the club received sufficient opportunities to respond but failed to submit a reply or evidence.
- Who
- The Delhi Race Club, the central government, the Estate Officer, and Principal District and Sessions Judge Pitamber Dutt.
- What
- The court dismissed the club’s application for an interim stay against an eviction order.
- When
- The eviction order was issued on August 11; the club’s lease was found to have expired in 1994.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- The court found that the club did not establish a prima facie case, had not filed a reply or evidence despite repeated opportunities, and had no documented lease renewal after 1994.
Delhi Race Club’s Position
Court and Government’s Position
Effect of rent payments
Delhi Race Club’s Position
The club argued that it had paid rent without default and therefore should not be considered an unauthorised occupant.
Court and Government’s Position
The court said that paying rent after a lease expires does not, by itself, renew the lease.
Opportunity to respond
Delhi Race Club’s Position
The club argued that the eviction proceedings violated natural justice because it was not given a copy of the government’s complaint.
Court and Government’s Position
The court said the Estate Officer provided the relevant documents to the club’s secretary and gave the club sufficient opportunities to submit a reply and evidence.
Lease renewal
Delhi Race Club’s Position
The club sought to halt eviction proceedings, relying in part on its continued rent payments.
Court and Government’s Position
The court said the Centre had issued no document renewing the club’s lease after 1994.
- Court
- Principal District and Sessions Court
- Judge
- Pitamber Dutt
- Eviction order
- Issued by an Estate Officer on August 11
- Legal basis
- Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act
- Lease status
- The court said the lease expired in 1994
- Interim stay
- Dismissed
- Club’s argument
- Continued rent payments meant it should not be treated as an unauthorised occupant