The Union government has approached the Estate Officer to evict Delhi Gymkhana Club
July 1, 2026: The Union government has approached the Estate Officer seeking the eviction of the Delhi Gymkhana Club from its 27.3-acre premises at 2, Safdarjung Road in New Delhi. In its plaint filed before the Estate Officer of the Land and Development Office (L&DO), the Centre said the land belongs to the Union of India and qualifies as public premises under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. It argued that the property is required for defence infrastructure, public security and other public-interest projects.
According to the government, the land was leased in 1928 to the then Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, under a perpetual lease deed. Invoking Clause 4 of the lease, which allows the government to reclaim the property for a public purpose, the Centre said the lease has been terminated. It further contended that the club’s continued occupation is now “unauthorised and illegal” under the provisions of the Public Premises Act and sought an order declaring the club an unauthorised occupant while directing its eviction.
The latest move comes weeks after the Centre directed the club to vacate the premises by June 5, citing the need for the strategically located land for defence and security purposes. The Delhi Gymkhana Club challenged the decision before the Delhi High Court. In its filing, the government said the High Court had declined to grant an injunction against the proposed takeover and that possession of the property would be taken in accordance with the law.