Atanu Das Sr. Journalist, Ex-PTI
New Dehli : The iconic Delhi Gymkhana club is currently embroiled in a massive legal and political controversy following a government order mandating the historic establishment to vacate its premises by June 5, 2026.
The Centre took this step citing urgent national security needs, the expansion of defense infrastructure, and to address long standing disputes over club management and ₹47.5 crore in unpaid dues.
The primary reasons cited for eviction include national security.
The 27 acre plot is situated within an ultra sensitive, high security grid right next to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg.
The government contends that open, private civilian access in this zone poses significant security concerns.
Prior to the vacation order, the club had already been involved in long standing financial and administrative disputes.
The club historically paid only ₹1000 per year for its 27 acre prime real estate.
The revised lease terms led to the massive multi crore assessment. The club has also faced a history of financial discrepancies, including previous luxury tax dues amounting to nearly ₹3 crores.
The government authorities highlighted that the land, which was initially allotted for sports and recreation, was being misused for excessive banqueting, dining and other commercial activities, violating the original “public purpose” stipulations of the lease.
For decades, the property served as an informal power center and networking hub for India’s administrative, military and political elite.
Its membership is heavily populated by bureaucrats and political figures. Political fractions have frequently accused varying ruling dispensations of leveraging the club for institutional clout, or using government control of its management, for partisan influence, taken over in 2022 over mismanagement and financial irregularities.
The eviction notice has sparked direct political sparring.
Congress leaders have alleged that the government’s eviction is politically motivated, targeting Rahul Gandhi who holds the club membership.
The club’s management and Staff Welfare Association have approached the Delhi High Court regarding the eviction notice. While the court has declined immediate interim relief, the government has assured that any takeover will be carried out strictly through due legal procedure set out under the law.
COMING SOON – THE UNIQUE GARHWALI NOVIE
KANDALI in Dehradun, Rishikesh, Delhi, NCR, Mumbai 
