Centre Orders Delhi Gymkhana Club to Vacate Lutyens’ Delhi Premises by June 5 for Defence Infrastructure Expansion

According to the official communication issued on May 22 to the club secretary, the property situated at 2, Safdarjung Road was originally leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, specifically for the purpose of maintaining a social and sporting club. The government stated that the land, located within a highly sensitive and strategic zone of the national capital, is now critically required for urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects linked to the resumption of adjoining government lands.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club is located adjacent to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg and falls within one of the most secure administrative corridors in the country. The area houses several key central government offices and defence establishments, making the land parcel one of the most valuable and strategically important locations in New Delhi.

Invoking Clause 4 of the lease deed, the Land and Development Office stated that the President of India, through the department, has determined the lease and ordered immediate re-entry of the premises. The order further stated that upon re-entry, the entire land parcel measuring 27.3 acres, including all buildings, standing structures, lawns, erections and fittings on the property, shall vest absolutely with the lessor, namely the President of India through the Land and Development Office.

The government has fixed June 5 as the date for taking possession of the premises. The order instructed the club management to hand over peaceful possession of the property to government representatives on the specified date. It also warned that in the event of non-compliance, possession would be taken in accordance with law.

Reacting to the development, Delhi Gymkhana Club member Siddharth stated that the club would challenge the order through an appeal. He asserted that there was no security threat or any related concern associated with the premises.

He said the club is an old institution with a large membership base and expressed the view that the observations made in the order should be reconsidered. He further stated that such a situation should not have arisen. On the issue of the deadline for vacating the premises, he said the club would comply if directed by a court order.

Founded during the British era, the institution began functioning at the site in 1913 under the name Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club. Following India’s Independence, it was renamed the Delhi Gymkhana Club, while the current structures on the property were constructed during the 1930s.

The Centre’s move has now placed one of Delhi’s most prominent colonial-era institutions at the centre of a significant administrative and legal confrontation, with the future of the iconic club set to be decided amid national security and governance considerations.