The dispute revolves around a prime parcel of land that was reportedly gifted to the Delhi Polo Club by the then Maharaja of Jaipur around 1930. On February 24, 1951, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) formally leased the property to the club for a period of 20 years.
According to the Indian Polo Association, the lease was subsequently extended from time to time. Following the dissolution of the Delhi Polo Club in 1983, administrative control of the ground was transferred to the IPA. The association stated that an annual ground rent of Rs 400 per acre, amounting to approximately Rs 6,080 per year, had been fixed for the property. The IPA further claimed that it recently paid a total advance rent of Rs 30,400 to the government for a five-year period extending until March 31, 2030.
However, the government has taken a sharply different position. Authorities maintain that the lease expired in 1993 and that the IPA has continued to occupy the land without any valid lease agreement or official authorization. The Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued a show-cause notice on April 17. This was followed by a direct eviction order issued by the Estate Officer on May 20.
The government argues that the strategically important land in one of the capital's most secure zones is required for a larger public purpose and benefit. Officials have stated that the site is needed to strengthen defence-related and government infrastructure projects.
The matter has also drawn significant attention from the Delhi High Court. During proceedings on the IPA's petition, the court expressed serious concern over the shrinking green spaces and open grounds in the national capital. The High Court observed that if the limited greenery remaining within the New Delhi Municipal Council area is also eliminated, Delhi's environmental condition would deteriorate severely, warning that the city would effectively struggle to breathe.
While hearing the case, the court directed the concerned lower court at Patiala House to expeditiously consider the plea seeking a stay on the eviction proceedings.
The dispute over Jaipur Polo Ground has now evolved into a high-profile legal and administrative battle involving land rights, historical sporting heritage, environmental concerns, and the government's infrastructure priorities. With the ground situated in one of India's most sensitive and prestigious zones, the outcome of the case is expected to carry significant implications for heritage land management and urban development in the national capital.
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