1 day ago
Supreme Court Sends Delhi Gymkhana Takeover Challenge To High Court
Eleven members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club disagreed with government steps involving the club’s land and possible eviction.
They asked the Supreme Court to cancel the government’s decisions.
The Supreme Court said they could take their concerns to the Delhi High Court instead.
The disputed property covers 27.3 acres in New Delhi.
The members said the government-appointed managers had not properly challenged the eviction actions.
They also said elections ordered by a tribunal had not happened.
The government’s notice said the land was needed for security, defence and other public purposes.
The High Court will examine the members’ arguments, but the Supreme Court did not decide whether the government’s actions were lawful.
The Supreme Court allowed 11 Delhi Gymkhana Club members to approach the Delhi High Court over the Centre’s takeover and eviction actions.
The members challenged a May 22 resumption notification and a June 29 eviction show-cause notice concerning the club’s 27.3-acre premises.
They alleged the Centre used its control over the club’s management to pursue a takeover and failed to provide adequate justification or compensation.
The government cited defence infrastructure, public security, institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects as reasons for resuming the lease.
The Supreme Court did not decide the merits and allowed the members to file a fresh plea or join an existing Delhi High Court case.
- Who
- Eleven Delhi Gymkhana Club members, represented by senior advocate Vikas Singh, challenged actions by the Centre and the Land and Development Office.
- What
- The Supreme Court granted the members liberty to approach the Delhi High Court over the Centre’s resumption notification, eviction proceedings and management intervention.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Delhi Gymkhana Club’s 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road, New Delhi, with further proceedings possible in the Delhi High Court.
- When
- The Supreme Court issued its direction on September 15; the disputed resumption notification was issued on May 22 and the eviction show-cause notice on June 29.
- Why
- The members alleged that the Centre was pursuing an improper takeover and violating their rights, while the government cited defence, security, institutional, governance and public-interest needs.
Club members’ position
Centre’s stated position
Purpose of the land resumption
Club members’ position
The members said the notification did not identify a specific project or disclose the material supporting the takeover.
Centre’s stated position
The notification cited defence infrastructure, public security, institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects.
Government control and management
Club members’ position
The members alleged that the Centre first installed a nominated management committee and then pursued resumption and eviction while that committee was in place.
Centre’s stated position
The Centre’s reported position in the resumption notification was based on the stated public, security and infrastructure needs; the article does not provide a detailed response to the members’ management allegations.
Club elections and legal challenge
Club members’ position
The members said the government-nominated management had overstayed the timeline for elections and had not effectively challenged the resumption and eviction proceedings.
Centre’s stated position
The Centre had told the Delhi High Court that it would take no coercive action against the club until September 16 in the related eviction matter.
Key facts
- Petitioners
- Vipin Aggarwal and 10 other Delhi Gymkhana Club members
- Property
- 27.3-acre club premises on Safdarjung Road
- Supreme Court action
- Disposed of the plea and allowed the members to approach the Delhi High Court
- Resumption notification
- Issued by the Land and Development Office on May 22
- Eviction notice
- Issued by an estate officer on June 29 under the Public Premises Act
- Government management
- A Centre-nominated committee is managing the club
- Ground-rent demand
- The petition referred to a demand for Rs 47.59 crore in arrears raised on April 16
Quotes
Vikas Singh
Senior advocate representing 11 Delhi Gymkhana Club members
“Here, the lessor and the lessee are both under the control of the government.”
theprint.in
Sources
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