Delhi Gymkhana Club vacate by June 5

The Union government has ordered Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its Lutyens’ Delhi premises by June 5, setting up a confrontation over one of the capital’s most prominent colonial-era institutions. The notice was issued on May 22 through the Land and Development Office, or L&DO, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, according to multiple reports. The government said the 27.3-acre site at 2, Safdarjung Road is required for defence and security-related purposes. Club members have begun weighing legal options, while staff face uncertainty over what happens next. ### What exactly did the government order? The May 22 communication directed the club to hand over possession of the property to the L&DO by June 5, 2026. Hindustan Times reported that the order invoked a public-purpose clause in the original lease deed and said the possession process would proceed in accordance with law if the club did not comply. A copy of the order was also marked to the deputy commissioner of police concerned for law-and-order arrangements during the takeover, the report said. (indianexpress.com) The Indian Express reported that the government asked the club to vacate the premises for “defence and security-related purposes.” Financial Express reported the same deadline and said the Centre cited defence infrastructure and public security needs. ### Why is this property drawing such attention? (hindustantimes.com) Delhi Gymkhana Club occupies 27.3 acres in Lutyens’ Delhi, one of the most tightly controlled and symbolically important parts of the capital. The site is on Safdarjung Road and has long been associated with India’s political, diplomatic and business elite. The Indian Express described it as an iconic club whose history stretches back to the imperial era and continued after Independence. (indianexpress.com) News18 reported that the government’s case includes the land’s location in a high-security zone and its stated need to strengthen defence and governance infrastructure. That report also said the Centre asserted government ownership of the land. ### Who is affected inside the club? Nearly 600 employees could be affected if the handover proceeds on schedule, according to a PTI report carried by The Federal. (indianexpress.com) That report said staff were left anxious about job security and transition plans after the Centre’s directive. Members are also moving to organize a response. (news18.com) Devdiscourse, citing PTI, reported on May 25 that members launched a signature campaign to authorize legal action against the eviction order. Business Standard reported earlier that the club planned to write to the L&DO seeking clarity and had sought an urgent appointment with officials in the housing and urban affairs ministry. (thefederal.com) ### Is there already a legal or administrative fight taking shape? Club members said they were preparing to challenge the order in court. Devdiscourse reported that the proposed litigation was being backed through a member signature campaign, while other reports said members were seeking to avoid disruption and pressing the government for details on the handover process. (devdiscourse.com) Delhi Gymkhana has also faced government scrutiny before. Indian Express archives show that the Centre had previously challenged the club’s management before company law tribunals, including litigation that led to intervention in its general committee in 2020 and 2021. Those earlier proceedings were separate from the current handover order, but they form part of the club’s recent regulatory history. (devdiscourse.com) ### What happens by June 5? June 5, 2026 is the deadline set in the notice for handing over the Safdarjung Road premises to the L&DO. Reports on May 25 said members were preparing court action and seeking meetings with ministry officials before that date. If the order is not stayed or modified, the government has said possession would be taken in accordance with law. (hindustantimes.com) (indianexpress.com)