The Delhi High Court will on Tuesday hear a plea challenging the Centre’s order directing the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its sprawling 27.3-acre premises in Lutyens’ Delhi by June 5 for what the government described as “vital public security purposes”.
The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing on Monday before Justice Avneesh Jhingan by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing in the case filed by club member Vijay Khurana.
Taking note of the urgency, the court agreed to list the matter for hearing on May 26.
The plea challenges a May 22 order issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO), which directed the club to hand over possession of its property at 2, Safdarjung Road, after invoking Clause 4 of the original lease deed permitting resumption of land for “public purpose”.
The Centre has claimed that the land, located near the Prime Minister’s residence and other high-security establishments in Lutyens’ Delhi, is required for “strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure”, governance facilities and other “vital public security purposes”.
In its order, the government said the entire 27.3-acre plot, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings on the premises, would vest with the President of India through the L&DO upon resumption of possession.
“Upon such re-entry, the entire plot of land measuring 27.3 acres, along with all buildings, standing erections, structures, lawns, and fittings thereon, shall vest absolutely in the Lessor, i.e., the President of India, through the Land & Development Office,” the order stated.
The case is likely to witness a significant legal contest in the High Court over the Centre’s powers to reclaim leased land in the heart of the national capital on grounds of security and public purpose.
