3 min readUpdated: Jul 1, 2026 08:42 PM IST
The Union government has sent an eviction notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club on Monday, saying that the Club was in unauthorised occupation of the property on Safdarjung Road after its lease was determined or had ended on May 22.
The notice, issued under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupant) Act, 1971, asked for the Club’s representative to appear before the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for a hearing on July 7.
It added that the premises in question “constitute valuable public premises vested in the Union of India and the Government is under an obligation to regulate, protect and utilise such public property in accordance with public interest and public purpose”.
According to the lease deed, the lessor – the government – can resume and re-enter or take back the premises if it is required for a public purpose, the notice said.
On May 22, the L&DO had written to the Club saying the land was “critically required for strengthening and securing of Defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes”. It had added that the land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects.
“Despite lawful determination of the lease and despite being called upon to hand over possession, the respondent failed to vacate the premises and continues in occupation thereof… Because valuable government land situated in the National Capital cannot be permitted to remain under unauthorised occupation contrary to governmental determination and larger public interest,” the Monday’s notice said.
In 1928, the 27.3-acre plot was given on perpetual lease to the Imperial Gymkhana Club, which became Delhi Gymkhana Club after Independence.
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The L&DO had asked for the premises to be handed over by June 5, which led the Club to move the Delhi High Court. While the HC, on May 26, did not stay the process, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the government would proceed as per procedure established under law.
The Club has been run by a government-appointed General Committee since 2022, after the National Company Law Tribunal allowed the government to take over the administration following alleged irregularities and violations of norms.
While the incumbent governing body members declined to comment on the eviction notice, sources among the government-appointed office-bearers maintained that the matter was sub-judice. “Since the matter is sub-judice, suffice it to say that all members and office-bearers concerned are awaiting ongoing judicial proceedings in the matter. In the meantime, the Club remains functional and efforts are being made to accommodate its existing staff members and related workforce in gainful employment elsewhere,” a source said.
Gaurav M Liberhan, the advocate who represented the last-elected governing body of the Club before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the Supreme Court, said the members would explore the legal options available to them.
