Demolition Begins at Delhi Race Club in Lutyens' Delhi After Centre Takes Possession

Demolition work began at the century-old Delhi Race Club in Lutyens’ Delhi on Thursday after the Centre took possession of the 53.24-acre premises and halted all racing activities.

The Land and Development Office (L&DO) took over the property following an order from the Patiala House Court on Tuesday, which dismissed the club's plea seeking an interim stay on an August 11 eviction order issued under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.

Bulldozers moved in to dismantle several key structures across the racecourse. According to a club official, the demolished facilities include the stables, the bookmakers' ring, the winning post, the photofinish camera setup, and the saddling enclosure.

The property originally housed more than 250 horses. Around 200 of them have already been retrieved by their owners, while approximately 50 horses remain at the facility. Authorities have granted the club until September 14 to complete the relocation of the remaining animals.

The L&DO requested security assistance from the New Delhi police for the operation, and officials confirmed that no untoward incidents occurred during the demolition drive.

The dispute over the expansive land parcel began in March when the L&DO served a notice directing the club to vacate the government-owned property within 15 days, citing requirements for public purposes. The club contested the notice in the Delhi High Court. Later, on August 11, an estate officer ordered the club to vacate the land within 15 days, ruling that its original lease had expired on December 31, 1994, and had not been renewed.

The Centre has maintained that the initial lease, executed in 1926, was temporary and that the club had remained in unauthorised occupation since January 1, 1995. The club's main appeal against the eviction order is scheduled for final disposal before the court on September 26.