NEW DELHI: In another major takeover of a prominent Delhi recreational property, the Centre on Thursday took possession of the Delhi Race Club premises on Race Course Road, after the Patiala House Courtallowed the government to proceed with eviction proceedings against the club.
The development comes after the court declined to grant an interim stay on the eviction order issued by the Estate Officer on August 11, 2026, under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
The latest action follows the Centre’s earlier takeovers involving the Delhi Gymkhana Club and Jaipur Polo Ground, marking another significant development concerning long-standing institutional and recreational properties in the national capital.
Delhi Race Club Had Sought Interim Stay
The Delhi Race Club had approached the Patiala House Court challenging the eviction proceedings and seeking an interim stay on the Estate Officer’s order.
The club argued that the proceedings violated the principles of natural justice.
It also claimed that it had not been supplied with a copy of the complaint submitted by the government, which, according to the club, affected its ability to effectively respond to the proceedings.
The court, however, did not accept the club’s plea for interim protection.
Court Points to Absence of Lease Renewal After 1994
One of the key observations made by the court concerned the legal status of the club’s occupation of the premises.
The court noted that the Centre had not issued any document renewing the club’s lease after 1994.
The observation became significant in determining whether the club could continue to claim lawful occupation of the government property.
The proceedings were being conducted under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, which provides a statutory mechanism for eviction of persons found to be in unauthorised occupation of public premises.
Club Failed to File Reply and Evidence
The court also noted that the club had been given several opportunities to present its reply and evidence before the Estate Officer.
However, the appellant failed to submit its response.
According to the court’s observations, the failure to file a reply resulted in the Estate Officer being constrained to close the club’s right to respond and reserve the matter for orders.
The court therefore did not find sufficient grounds to interfere with the eviction proceedings at the interim stage.
Regular Rent Payments Did Not Establish Legal Occupancy
The club also argued that it had regularly paid rent for the premises and, therefore, should not be treated as an unauthorised occupant.
The court rejected this argument.
The fact that rent had allegedly continued to be paid did not, by itself, establish that the club had a valid and continuing leasehold right over the premises, particularly in view of the absence of a government document renewing the lease after 1994.
The court’s observation effectively distinguished between payment of rent and the existence of a valid legal authorisation to occupy public premises.
Eviction Proceedings Under Public Premises Act
The Estate Officer had issued the eviction order on August 11, 2026, invoking the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
The Act provides a legal framework for dealing with unauthorised occupation of premises belonging to the government and specified public authorities.
The Delhi Race Club’s challenge focused, among other issues, on procedural fairness and its claim that it had not received the government’s complaint.
However, the court’s findings regarding the club’s failure to submit its reply and evidence, coupled with the absence of a documented lease renewal after 1994, weighed against granting an interim stay.
Another Prominent Delhi Property Taken Over
The takeover of the Delhi Race Club premises comes against the backdrop of government action involving other high-profile properties.
The Centre had earlier taken possession of premises associated with the Delhi Gymkhana Club and Jaipur Polo Ground.
The Race Course Road property has long been associated with the Delhi Race Club, making Thursday’s action another high-profile instance of the government asserting its control over premises whose continued occupation has come under legal scrutiny.
The development also highlights the increasing importance of lease documentation and statutory compliance for organisations occupying government properties over extended periods.
What the Court’s Order Means
The Patiala House Court’s decision clears the way for the government to proceed with the eviction action initiated by the Estate Officer.
The court’s observations indicate that the club could not establish an immediate legal basis for interim protection, particularly when it had failed to place its reply and supporting evidence before the Estate Officer despite being given opportunities.
The absence of a lease-renewal document after 1994 was another important factor noted by the court.
With the Centre now having taken possession of the Race Club premises, the dispute could continue through the appropriate legal remedies available to the club.
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