According to the notice issued through the Land and Development Office, the Government has contended that the Club’s perpetual lease stood lawfully terminated after the President of India exercised powers under Clause 4 of the lease deed, which allows resumption of land for public purposes. Following this termination and resumption, the Government asserts that the Club no longer holds any legal right to remain on the premises, thereby bringing its continued occupation within the scope of unauthorized occupation under Section 2(g) of the Public Premises Act, 1971.
The Estate Officer has required the Delhi Gymkhana Club to submit its explanation on or before July 7, 2026, and appear at 2:30 PM on the same date, either through its office-bearers or an authorized representative. The representative has been instructed to be prepared to respond to all material questions and present documentary or oral evidence in support of the Club’s defence.
The notice further warns that failure to appear or submit a response may result in ex parte proceedings, allowing the Estate Officer to decide the matter and pass eviction orders without hearing the Club’s side.
The Government has maintained that the 27.3-acre property is situated in a strategically sensitive part of the national capital and is required for strengthening defence infrastructure, public security systems, governance facilities, and other public interest projects. It has also stated that after the lease termination notice issued on May 22, 2026, the Club was directed to vacate and hand over peaceful possession by June 5, 2026. However, the Government alleges that the Club failed to comply and continues to occupy the premises unlawfully.
The Club had earlier challenged the eviction notice before the Delhi High Court. The Government has stated in its proceedings before the Estate Officer that the High Court declined to grant an injunction restraining the takeover, and that possession of the property will be recovered strictly in accordance with law.
The Delhi Gymkhana Club, established 113 years ago, is among the most exclusive institutions in the country, with membership comprising senior bureaucrats, military officials, members of the capital’s elite, and the intelligentsia. The Club is equipped with extensive sports and recreational infrastructure, including 26 grass tennis courts, four hard courts, flex-cushion courts, squash and badminton facilities, billiards rooms, basketball courts, a swimming pool, and a health club.
It also features high-end restaurants, lounges, bars, banquet halls, libraries, card rooms, massage services, beauty parlours, children’s recreational areas, as well as 43 transit rooms and cottages for members and guests.
As legal proceedings intensify, the dispute over one of Delhi’s most prestigious properties underscores a broader conflict over land use, public interest, and long-standing institutional occupancy in high-security zones of the capital.
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