SKV Law Offices Secures Significant Interim Relief for Delhi Gymkhana Club Members Before Delhi High Court; Estate Officer Restrained from Passing Final Eviction Order
18.10.2026
The Delhi High Court, in Vipin Aggarwal & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. [W.P.(C) No. 14415/2026], has directed the Estate Officer not to pass any final order in the eviction proceedings concerning the Delhi Gymkhana Club’s 27.3-acre premises at Safdarjung Road until 17 November 2026.
The proceedings arise from a challenge by eleven permanent members of the Club to the Land and Development Office’s decision to resume the Club’s premises and the consequential eviction proceedings initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.
The Petitioners, inter alia, questioned the jurisdiction of the Estate Officer and contended that the actions of the authorities amounted to a colourable exercise of power, particularly as the Club was under Government management, while the decision to resume the premises and initiate eviction proceedings also emanated from the Government. It was further submitted that the Estate Officer had been proceeding with the matter in a hasty manner, including by declining the Petitioners’ request for adjournment and proceeding towards adjudication on merits, despite the pendency of the writ petition. The Petitioners apprehended that any final order passed in such circumstances could result in their dispossession from the Club, causing grave prejudice and rendering their challenge infructuous, particularly as the Estate Officer was also an authority appointed by the Government.
Accordingly, while recording the submission of the learned Central Government Standing Counsel that no final order was likely to be passed on 22 October 2026, the Delhi High Court directed that while proceedings before the Estate Officer may continue, no final order shall be passed until the next date of hearing, 17 November 2026.
The Petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Mr. Vikas Singh, assisted by SKV Law Offices, comprising Mr. Shri Venkatesh (Founding Partner), Mr. Suhael Buttan (Partner), Mr. Soham Goswami (Counsel), Mr. Manav Bhatia (Associate) and Ms. Pragya Narain (Trainee Associate).