Supreme Court directs High Court to hear Delhi Gymkhana Club takeover plea

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Delhi High Court to consider a plea filed by 11 members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The members are challenging the Central government’s decision to take over the club’s 27.3-acre premises and the subsequent eviction proceedings.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the members, informed the bench—comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana—that the Delhi High Court had previously declined to hear the plea, suggesting that only the club itself could challenge the takeover. Singh argued that because a government-nominated committee currently manages the club, the club cannot effectively pursue legal action against the government.

The Supreme Court has permitted the members to approach the High Court again, noting that any objections regarding the maintainability of the plea can be raised by the opposing side. The dispute involves a resumption notification issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) in May and a show-cause notice for eviction issued in June.