Centre begins eviction proceedings against Delhi Gymkhana, issues notice
The Centre has initiated formal eviction proceedings against the Delhi Gymkhana Club, issuing a show-cause notice asking it to explain by July 7 why it should not be evicted from its 27.3-acre Safdarjung Road premises.
The central government has issued a show-cause notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, asking it to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against it under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The notice, issued by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, on Tuesday, has asked the club and all others occupying the premises to file their response by July 7.
The notice also asks them to appear for a personal hearing on July 7 at 2.30 pm. The move comes more than a month after the Centre told the Delhi High Court on May 26 that it would not take forceful possession of the 27.3-acre premises by June 5 and that eviction proceedings would be started only in accordance with the law and after due notice.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, had told the court that the premises were required for "strengthening and securing defence infrastructure". A senior official in the ministry said on Wednesday that eviction proceedings had now been initiated in accordance with the law.
In the notice, the estate officer said the competent authority had determined that the premises were critically required for strengthening and securing defence infrastructure, public security purposes, urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects.
The notice said, "Valuable government land situated in the National Capital cannot be permitted to remain under unauthorised occupation contrary to governmental determination and larger public interest."
It further said, "In pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act, I hereby call upon you to show cause on or before July 7 at 2.30 pm why such an order of eviction should not be made. And in pursuance of clause (b)(ii) of sub-section (2) of section 4, I also call upon you to appear before me in person or through a duly authorised representative capable to answer all material questions connected with the matter along with the evidence which you intend to produce in support of the cause shown, on July 7 at 2.30 pm for personal hearing."
The estate officer added, "In case, you fail to appear on the said date and time, the case will be decided ex-parte."
The premises at 2, Safdarjung Road were leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, for running a social and sporting club. The property is next to the Prime Minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg and lies in a high-security administrative zone with several key central government and defence establishments. In sum, the Centre has formally begun the legal process to seek the club's eviction from the site, with replies and hearing scheduled for July 7.
The central government has issued a show-cause notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club, asking it to explain why an eviction order should not be passed against it under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The notice, issued by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, on Tuesday, has asked the club and all others occupying the premises to file their response by July 7.
The notice also asks them to appear for a personal hearing on July 7 at 2.30 pm. The move comes more than a month after the Centre told the Delhi High Court on May 26 that it would not take forceful possession of the 27.3-acre premises by June 5 and that eviction proceedings would be started only in accordance with the law and after due notice.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, had told the court that the premises were required for "strengthening and securing defence infrastructure". A senior official in the ministry said on Wednesday that eviction proceedings had now been initiated in accordance with the law.
In the notice, the estate officer said the competent authority had determined that the premises were critically required for strengthening and securing defence infrastructure, public security purposes, urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and other public-interest projects.
The notice said, "Valuable government land situated in the National Capital cannot be permitted to remain under unauthorised occupation contrary to governmental determination and larger public interest."
It further said, "In pursuance of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act, I hereby call upon you to show cause on or before July 7 at 2.30 pm why such an order of eviction should not be made. And in pursuance of clause (b)(ii) of sub-section (2) of section 4, I also call upon you to appear before me in person or through a duly authorised representative capable to answer all material questions connected with the matter along with the evidence which you intend to produce in support of the cause shown, on July 7 at 2.30 pm for personal hearing."
The estate officer added, "In case, you fail to appear on the said date and time, the case will be decided ex-parte."
The premises at 2, Safdarjung Road were leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, for running a social and sporting club. The property is next to the Prime Minister's residence on Lok Kalyan Marg and lies in a high-security administrative zone with several key central government and defence establishments. In sum, the Centre has formally begun the legal process to seek the club's eviction from the site, with replies and hearing scheduled for July 7.
