Delhi Court refuses interim relief to Indian Polo Association, govt takes control of Jaipur Polo Ground building

In a major jolt to the Indian Polo Association (IPA), a Delhi court has refused to grant interim protection against the Centre’s order directing the Association to vacate Jaipur Polo Ground in the Race Course area of national capital Delhi.

In its plea filed under Section 9(3) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, the IPA had sought court’s stay on the eviction order.

Advertisement

“A similar kind of request was moved before the Learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, PHC and Delhi High Court, and no relief was granted to the appellant. Therefore, keeping in view judicial discipline and propriety, I am not inclined to stay the execution of the impugned order even till next date,” said Additional Sessions Judge Dhirender Rana, who heard the plea.

The court, however, issued notice to Centre on the IPA’s stay application and posted the matter for further hearing on June 17.

Earlier, the Centre informed the courts that it needs the land occupied by the polo ground and nearby establishments, including the Delhi Gymkhana Club, for public and defence purposes.

The court noted that an advance copy of the stay application aas not supplied to the respondent and the application for stay can be disposed of.

“Since advance copy of the application was not supplied, arguments on the application cannot be heard as the respondent has a right to file reply to the application and thereafter only, application for stay can be disposed of,” the court said.

“The petition was disposed of by observing that the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala House Courts, would decide the stay application filed along with the appeal,” the order said.

Centre takes control of Jaipur Polo Ground

Meanwhile, the government has taken possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground, formally asserting its control over the property by displaying a notice declaring the land to be government property and warning against any unauthorised occupation or encroachment.

The notice, put up by the Land & Development Office (L&DO), states that the land belongs to the Government of India and cautions that any unauthorised occupation, encroachment, construction activity or other illegal use of the premises would attract action under applicable laws.