Court seeks Centre’s response to Gymkhana Club plea over estate office’s eviction notice

Delhi High Court has sought the Central government’s response to the pleas submitted by Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) members and staff challenging the estate officer’s eviction notice under the Public Premises Act concerning.

The court issued a notice to the Centre and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing, scheduled for July 7 before the estate officer is adjourned to a day after the next hearing date in the matter on July 28.

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On June 29, the estate officer issued a summons to the club’s representative, asking him to appear on or before July 7 to explain why the eviction proceedings should not continue as per the earlier eviction order.

Meanwhile, the Solicitor General also informed the court that the government would file its response to the applications concerned.

The matter was listed in the court on Monday, where the counsel for club representatives’ advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi Singhvi briefed by advocate Naman Joshi appeared for the DGC members, while Jayant Mehta briefed by Yash Johri appeared for the club workers.

The Solicitor General appeared for the centre and sought time to file a reply to the application of the members, saying the hearing before the EO was scheduled for 7 July. However, he informed the court that the members could seek time before the EO and the government would not oppose it.

Since the next hearing date before the HC is 28 July, the parties will, therefore, request the EO to take up the matter after that date.

Meanwhile, the centre says that the land parcel on which the club operates is located in a highly sensitive and strategic area of the national capital, and is, therefore, required for bolstering defence infrastructure