The Delhi Gymkhana Club has been asked by the Union Urban Affairs Ministry to hand over its premises by June 5 as the 27.3-acre plot was required for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”.

The club stands adjacent to the Prime Minister’s residence on the Lok Kalyan Marg in the national capital.

The premises, located in a highly sensitive and strategic area of Delhi, is critically required for the strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes. An order, dated May 22, issued by the Land & Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said.

According to the order, the premises will be taken over by the Land & Development Office on June 5.

The L&DO said in the letter to the club’s secretary that the premises situated at 2, Safdarjung Road, were leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd. (now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd.) for the specific purpose of maintaining a social and sporting club.

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Urgent institutional needs

The land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands. “In exercise of the powers conferred under Clause 4 of the Lease Deed, the President of India, through the Land & Development Office, hereby determines the lease and orders re-entry of the aforesaid premises with immediate effect,” it said.

“Upon such re-entry, the entire plot of land measuring 27.3 acres, along with all buildings, standing erections, structures, lawns, and fittings thereon, shall vest absolutely in the lessor, i.e., the President of India, through the Land & Development Office.”

“You are directed to hand over peaceful possession of the premises to the representatives of this office on the aforesaid date. In the event of non-compliance, possession shall be taken in accordance with law,” it stated.

The Club has operated from the location since 1913, and the present buildings were constructed in the 1930s. Before Independence, it was called the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club and after Independence, it was renamed Delhi Gymkhana Club.

It stands on one of the city’s most valuable and strategically important areas, within the high-security administrative zone that houses several key Central Government and defence establishments.