The Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside a single-judge order staying eviction proceedings initiated by an estate officer against the 53.4-acre Delhi Racing Club.
“In view of the discussions held and the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the order of the single judge is set aside,” a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said.
Waiting for a detailed copy of the order.
The order was passed in a petition filed by the Center through standing counsel Ashish Dixit, challenging the single judge’s April 24 order.
On 24 April, the Single Judge restrained the Estates Officer from proceeding pursuant to a show cause notice dated 17 April 2026, issued under Sections 4(1) and 4(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act. The notice called on the Delhi Racing Club to explain why it should not issue an eviction order in respect of the public buildings under its occupation.
Read also: Delhi Gymkhana seeks meeting with Center over eviction notice, says priority is uninterrupted operations
In its petition, the Center contended that the impugned order failed to appreciate that the writ petition was directed only against the show cause notice, though the Act provides a complete and effective mechanism, including prosecution before the Estates Officer and appellate remedies under Section 9 of the Act.
The Center also argued that the single judge overlooked the fact that the lease had expired and the defendant’s continued occupation of the land was unauthorized. It asserted that all allegations raised by the Delhi Racing Club, including its claim of an existing lease or legal possession, should be adjudicated by the Estates Officer in the first instance.
The development comes on the day another bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petition challenging the Centre’s order, directing the popular Delhi Gymkhana club to be furloughed by June 5.
