Delhi HC Issues Notice to Centre on Gymkhana Club’s Plea Against Eviction Under Public Premises Act

The Delhi High Court on July 6, 2026, issued notice to the Union Government on applications filed by club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association, seeking a stay on eviction proceedings against the iconic Lutyens’ Delhi institution.

Justice Avneesh Jhingan directed the respondents to file their replies and listed the matter for further hearing on July 28, 2026, according to reports by ANI and Bar & Bench.

Background: How We Got Here

The Delhi Gymkhana Club was established in 1913 and has occupied a 27.3-acre property at 2, Safdarjung Road in Lutyens’ Delhi under a perpetual lease granted by the Central Government in 1928.

Clause 4 of that lease deed permits the Central Government, as lessor, to re-enter the premises if required for a public purpose, according to Bar & Bench and Business Standard.

• On May 22, 2026, the Land & Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued a notice terminating the perpetual lease, citing defence infrastructure and vital public security purposes, and directing the Club to vacate by June 5, 2026.
• The Club did not vacate by the deadline and filed suits before the Delhi High Court challenging the termination order.
• On May 26, 2026, the High Court declined to grant interim relief after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the bench: “We will not take possession, except as per procedure established under law.”
• On June 29, 2026, Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh issued a fresh show-cause notice under Section 4(1) read with Section 4(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, directing the Club to appear for a personal hearing on or before July 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM.
• In 2022, the Centre had initiated proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against the Club for alleged violations of lease terms and mismanagement. The Club is currently managed by a General Committee appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, as reported by Bar & Bench and LawBeat.

The two applications heard on July 6 were filed within already-pending suits challenging the Centre’s earlier vacation order, according to Bar & Bench and BusinessToday. The Club has approximately 14,000 members and over 500 employees, many dependent on the institution for their livelihood, as reported by LawBeat.

The Ruling — Key Findings

Justice Avneesh Jhingan issued notice to the Union Government and directed that replies be filed before the next hearing date of July 28, 2026, per LiveLaw and ANI.

Crucially, the court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure the July 7 hearing scheduled before Estate Officer Bipin Kumar Singh is adjourned to a date after the July 28 High Court hearing, according to LiveLaw and PTI.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the applicants, argued that the show-cause notice rests on “entirely erroneous and premature assumptions” because it was issued while the suit challenging the May 22 lease termination remains pending before the High Court, according to BusinessToday.

The applicants further contended that the notice prejudges the issue by referring to the Club as an “unauthorised occupant,” when the validity of the lease termination is still sub judice, as reported by ANI.

Reactions & What’s Next

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared before the court via video conferencing. He informed the bench that he had been served with the applications only the previous day, stating: “I am served with the application yesterday. I am conscious that the notice they seek a stay of is returnable tomorrow.”

Mehta submitted that the applicants could seek an adjournment before the Estate Officer themselves, according to ANI and Bar & Bench. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit also appeared on behalf of the Union Government, per ANI.

The Estate Officer hearing originally fixed for July 7, 2026 is now expected to be adjourned in light of the High Court’s directions. The matter will next be heard before Justice Avneesh Jhingan on July 28, 2026, as confirmed by LiveLaw and ANI.