SC Declines Relief to Delhi Race Club Over Eviction From Lok Kalyan Marg Land

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to intervene in a legal challenge brought by the Delhi Race Club against an eviction order concerning its 84-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg.

A Bench headed by Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed the club to approach the jurisdictional District Judge, who serves as the appellate authority, for relief. The top court issued the directive after learning that an appeal, along with an application seeking interim relief, was already pending before the District Judge.

The formal eviction order against the club was issued on August 11 by the Estate Officer of the Land and Development Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The order was passed under the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.

The eviction proceedings followed an earlier ruling by a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court on May 27, which lifted a stay on proceedings under the 1971 Act. Prior to that decision, a Single Judge Bench of the High Court had granted a stay order in favour of the club.

The land dispute centres on the Delhi Race Club's continued occupation of the prime 84-acre land parcel. According to the central government, the original lease granted to the club in 1926 expired on December 31, 1994, and was never renewed.

The Centre has maintained that the club remained on the premises without legal authorisation following the expiry of the lease agreement. In March, the central government issued a notice calling for the peaceful handover and possession of the land, stating that the property was required for a public purpose.

Following the March notice, formal proceedings against the club were initiated on April 17 under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, culminating in the August 11 eviction order.