The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre’s response to a petition challenging the takeover of the Delhi Gymkhana Club premises and subsequent eviction proceedings, bringing the administration of a high-profile public property under judicial scrutiny. The next hearing is scheduled for 17 November.
A bench led by Justice Amit Mahajan issued notices to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Estate Officer and Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited. The notices were issued on a petition filed by 11 club members against the action to take control of the premises and remove occupants.
The petitioners’ senior counsel, Vikas Singh, urged the court to stay proceedings initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act. The members argued that the authorities’ action violated their fundamental rights and was depriving them of their property, according to the report.
The Centre opposed the request for a stay. Its standing counsel, Ashish Dixit, argued that proceedings under the Public Premises Act could not be halted. He also questioned the maintainability of the writ petition, submitting that the petitioners had an available remedy before the Estate Officer under the Act.
The proceedings centre on the legal process used by public authorities to recover premises that they classify as being under unauthorised occupation. Under the framework cited in court, the Estate Officer is the authority through whom eviction proceedings may be pursued, while affected occupants can challenge the action through the remedies provided by law.
The case therefore places both the control of the club premises and the procedure followed by the authorities before the High Court. At this stage, the court has sought responses from the government bodies and the club; the report does not indicate that the court has granted a stay on the eviction proceedings.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club matter also involves competing claims over the use and control of a prominent urban property. The petitioners say the action affects their rights, while the Centre has maintained that the statutory process under the Public Premises Act should continue and that the Estate Officer is the appropriate forum for their objections.
The notices issued by the court require the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Estate Officer and Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited to respond to the petition. The matter will next come up before the Delhi High Court on 17 November.
