The Centre on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that it will not take forceful possession of the Delhi Gymkhana Club land on June 5, offering temporary relief to the club’s members and staff amid a major row over the government’s move to reclaim the iconic property in Lutyens’ Delhi.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed Justice Avneesh Jhingan that the May 22 notice issued to the club was aimed at terminating the perpetual lease and initiating re-entry proceedings. However, he assured the court that any eviction process would be carried out strictly according to law and only after due notice is served to occupants.

Following the Centre’s statement, the High Court said there was no need to pass any interim order at this stage on the petitions filed by club members and employees challenging the government’s directive to vacate the premises.

The court issued summonses to both the Centre and the club’s management and sought their written responses in the case.

The development comes days after the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry directed the Delhi Gymkhana Club to hand over its 27.3-acre premises, saying the land was needed for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure” and other public security purposes.

According to the Centre, the club is located in a “highly sensitive and strategic area” of the national capital, making the land crucial for defence-related infrastructure expansion.

The government’s May 22 order triggered concern among club members, employees and patrons, with the Delhi Gymkhana Club warning that any sudden action would impact thousands of stakeholders.

In a letter to the Centre after receiving the notice, the club sought clarity on whether an alternate plot would be allotted if relocation becomes necessary.

The club stated that it serves nearly 14,000 members and users who have paid membership and subscription fees for access to its facilities. It also said around 500 employees depend on the institution for their livelihood.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club is one of the capital’s oldest and most exclusive social institutions. Established during the British era, the club has long been associated with diplomats, senior bureaucrats, military officers and prominent members of Delhi’s elite circles.

With PTI inputs