1 week ago
Supreme Court to Hear Delhi Race Club Eviction Plea
The Delhi Race Club is involved in a disagreement with the government over a large piece of land in Delhi.
The government says the club’s old lease ended in 1994 and was not renewed.
It wants the club to leave because the land is needed for a public purpose.
The club says it was discussing a possible move to another site with government officials.
It also says the eviction order was issued without giving it enough time to explain.
A Delhi High Court decision allowed the eviction process to continue.
The club then asked the Supreme Court to intervene.
The Supreme Court will hear the case in detail on August 25, 2026.
The Supreme Court scheduled detailed hearing of the Delhi Race Club’s plea for August 25, 2026.
The club is challenging a Delhi High Court order allowing eviction proceedings from its 84-acre Lok Kalyan Marg premises.
The Centre says the club’s 1926 lease expired on December 31, 1994, and was never renewed.
The club says it delayed filing its plea because it was negotiating relocation and other terms with authorities.
An Estate Officer issued a formal eviction order on August 11, giving the club 15 days to vacate.
- Who
- The Delhi Race Club, the Centre, the Land and Development Office, and the Supreme Court.
- What
- The Supreme Court is hearing the club’s challenge to eviction proceedings from its 84-acre premises.
- Where
- The disputed premises are on Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi.
- When
- The Supreme Court scheduled the detailed hearing for August 25, 2026; the case was taken up on August 24.
- Why
- The Centre says the club’s lease expired in 1994 without renewal and that the land is needed for a public purpose; the club disputes the eviction process.
Delhi Race Club
Centre and Authorities
Validity of eviction
Delhi Race Club
The club says the High Court’s decision was completely unwarranted and that it should not be evicted without a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Centre and Authorities
The Centre says the club has occupied the premises without authorisation since its lease expired and that eviction proceedings under the Public Premises Act are justified.
Delay in Supreme Court challenge
Delhi Race Club
The club says it did not immediately approach the Supreme Court because it was holding talks with the Land and Development Office about alternative land, relocation, and possible relief from dues and taxes.
Centre and Authorities
The Supreme Court questioned why the club waited from the May 27 High Court order until August 13 to file its challenge.
Opportunity to resolve the dispute
Delhi Race Club
The club says discussions were continuing and that the Estate Officer knew about them before suddenly issuing the eviction order.
Centre and Authorities
The Centre pursued proceedings after issuing a March notice seeking peaceful possession and a show-cause notice on April 17.
Key facts
- Disputed land
- An 84-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg, Delhi
- Original lease
- Granted in 1926 and said by the Centre to have expired on December 31, 1994
- High Court order
- A Division Bench allowed eviction proceedings to continue on May 27, 2026
- Formal eviction order
- Issued by the Estate Officer on August 11, 2026
- Vacate deadline
- The club was given 15 days to leave the premises
- Supreme Court filing
- The club filed its special leave petition on August 13, 2026
- Next hearing
- Detailed hearing scheduled for August 25, 2026
Quotes
Justice N.K. Singh
Supreme Court judge who questioned the Delhi Race Club’s senior counsel
“After the Division Bench order of the High Court on May 27, which you say you knew was not correct, why did you not rush to this court?”
thehindubusinessline.com









