The eviction order, dated May 22, issued by the Land and Development Office under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, states that the land is critically required for urgent institutional and governance-related needs, including strengthening and securing defence infrastructure. The land was originally leased for the operation of a social and sporting club.
Following the directive, employees of the club have expressed deep anxiety over their future, fearing immediate job losses and uncertainty regarding their families. The institution currently employs approximately 500 staff members, many of whom have served for decades and reside in nearby informal settlements and housing colonies.
Union representative Nandan Negi said staff members have been overwhelmed with concern since the announcement. He noted that employees have been repeatedly calling to ask about their future, describing widespread shock among workers who are now questioning how they will support their families.
Several employees stated they had not received prior formal communication before being informed that the club would be shut down on June 5. Many workers said they had served for 15 to 40 years and were now uncertain about their livelihoods.
Established in July 1913 as the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club, the institution dropped the word “Imperial” after India’s independence. It currently has more than 5,600 members and has functioned as a prominent social and recreational hub in the national capital for over a century.
In response to the eviction order, the club’s governing body has written to the Land and Development Office seeking clarification on multiple issues, including whether an appropriately located alternative plot of land will be provided and what protections will be extended to staff and employees affected by the closure. The management has also requested a formal meeting with the Land Development Officer to address concerns arising from the directive.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has exercised constitutional authority to terminate the lease of the land, according to the official order cited by the administration.
The future of the club, its 500 employees, and its longstanding institutional legacy now remains uncertain as the government proceeds with plans to reclaim one of Delhi’s most prominent central land parcels for strategic national requirements.
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