Until clarity on relocation, no disruption of services: Delhi Gymkhana to Centre
Delhi Gymkhana Club has asked the Centre not to disrupt its functioning after being ordered to vacate its Safdarjung Road premises by June 5. The club has sought clarity on relocation, alternative land allotment, and the impact on members, employees and operations.
Delhi Gymkhana Club has asked the Centre to ensure there is “no dislocation” of the club and its operations, while seeking clarity on relocation and alternative land allotment after being ordered to vacate its 27.3-acre premises by June 5.
One of the country’s most elite clubs -- where top bureaucrats, diplomats, military officers and New Delhi’s influential circles cross paths -- now stands at the brink of extinction.
The colonial-era institution in Lutyens’ Delhi, located adjacent to the Prime Minister’s official residence, has written to the Land and Development Officer under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, stating that such a move could affect thousands of members, employees and other stakeholders.
In a letter dated May 23, the club requested that no step disrupting the functioning of the institution be taken until there is clarity on several issues, including whether it will be relocated and whether alternative land will be allotted, news agency ANI reported.
The letter was sent a day after the Central government, through the Land and Development Office, ordered the re-entry and resumption of the Delhi Gymkhana Club premises.
In its May 22 order, the government said the land had originally been leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., now Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., for running a social and sporting club. It said the premises is located in a "highly sensitive and strategic area" of the national capital and is needed for strengthening defence infrastructure and other public security purposes.
The order said the land is required for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects" linked to adjoining government lands. Invoking Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, the government said it was exercising its powers to re-enter the property and terminate the lease in the public interest. It also ordered that the entire 27.3-acre plot, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings, would vest absolutely in the President of India through the Land and Development Office.
The club was directed to hand over peaceful possession of the premises on or before June 5, 2026, failing which possession would be taken in accordance with the law. In its response, the club said discussions with the Land and Development Office were already underway over enhancement of lease rent, and that a writ petition challenging the enhanced lease rent is pending before the Delhi High Court.
The club also told the authorities that it is currently being run by a General Committee appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under an order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal in 2022. It said the committee is functioning as a transitional arrangement until an elected body takes charge.
Referring to its operations and finances, the club said its functioning has improved significantly in recent years. It said the projected financial results for 2023-24 showed a profit of Rs 925.10 lakh, as against losses of Rs 1,239.26 lakh in 2021-22. The letter added that the institution serves nearly 14,000 members and users and employs more than 500 people, and also pointed to investments made over several decades in infrastructure, sporting facilities and club administration.
The General Committee asked the Ministry to consider allotting an alternative plot if relocation is planned, and sought an urgent meeting with officials to discuss the concerns of members, employees and other stakeholders. It reiterated its request that there should be no dislocation of the club and its operations while the issues are being addressed.
Delhi Gymkhana Club has asked the Centre to ensure there is “no dislocation” of the club and its operations, while seeking clarity on relocation and alternative land allotment after being ordered to vacate its 27.3-acre premises by June 5.
One of the country’s most elite clubs -- where top bureaucrats, diplomats, military officers and New Delhi’s influential circles cross paths -- now stands at the brink of extinction.
The colonial-era institution in Lutyens’ Delhi, located adjacent to the Prime Minister’s official residence, has written to the Land and Development Officer under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, stating that such a move could affect thousands of members, employees and other stakeholders.
In a letter dated May 23, the club requested that no step disrupting the functioning of the institution be taken until there is clarity on several issues, including whether it will be relocated and whether alternative land will be allotted, news agency ANI reported.
The letter was sent a day after the Central government, through the Land and Development Office, ordered the re-entry and resumption of the Delhi Gymkhana Club premises.
In its May 22 order, the government said the land had originally been leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., now Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., for running a social and sporting club. It said the premises is located in a "highly sensitive and strategic area" of the national capital and is needed for strengthening defence infrastructure and other public security purposes.
The order said the land is required for "urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure, and public-interest projects" linked to adjoining government lands. Invoking Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, the government said it was exercising its powers to re-enter the property and terminate the lease in the public interest. It also ordered that the entire 27.3-acre plot, along with all buildings, structures, lawns and fittings, would vest absolutely in the President of India through the Land and Development Office.
The club was directed to hand over peaceful possession of the premises on or before June 5, 2026, failing which possession would be taken in accordance with the law. In its response, the club said discussions with the Land and Development Office were already underway over enhancement of lease rent, and that a writ petition challenging the enhanced lease rent is pending before the Delhi High Court.
The club also told the authorities that it is currently being run by a General Committee appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under an order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal in 2022. It said the committee is functioning as a transitional arrangement until an elected body takes charge.
Referring to its operations and finances, the club said its functioning has improved significantly in recent years. It said the projected financial results for 2023-24 showed a profit of Rs 925.10 lakh, as against losses of Rs 1,239.26 lakh in 2021-22. The letter added that the institution serves nearly 14,000 members and users and employs more than 500 people, and also pointed to investments made over several decades in infrastructure, sporting facilities and club administration.
The General Committee asked the Ministry to consider allotting an alternative plot if relocation is planned, and sought an urgent meeting with officials to discuss the concerns of members, employees and other stakeholders. It reiterated its request that there should be no dislocation of the club and its operations while the issues are being addressed.
